GIVING BACK LOCALLY - 2020

IFS is dedicated to working alongside the local community on Andros and our larger global community. All programming is meant to pursue our mission of providing environmental education, scientific research, and cultural awareness through experiential learning. In addition to our programming, we aim to give back to the community and our students as much as possible to expand our impact and create equal opportunities for young scholars.

One of the main ways IFS gives back is through our Androsia Scholarship Fund. All profits from the local Androsia wares and IFS branded merchandise sold at Forfar Field Station go directly to the Androsia Scholarship Fund.

In 2020, a total of $1,000 was raised and two $500 scholarships were awarded to two daughters of longtime IFS staff members Mr. Cordell Riley and Mrs. Shaneal Johnson. 

The first $500 scholarship was given to Rakell Riley. Here is her letter sharing her story and speaking directly to donors:

“I would first like to start off by saying, thank you to everyone that donated to the scholarship fund. I am beyond grateful for the consideration, help, and faith that you have put in me. Going through the day knowing that there are people that believe in me actually helps me get through a rough week. 

This past year hasn't exactly been the easiest. In September 2019, hurricane Dorian passed through The Bahamas, damaging not only the UB-North campus but also the spirits and mental states of the students attending there. The trauma of seeing the words "missing" and "deceased" next to some of the names of my newly found friends was too much for me to handle at the time. Therefore, I decided to put my mental health first and withdraw from the Fall 2019 semester. I had to get myself together and prepare for the semester ahead.

In January 2020, I returned to Grand Bahama to give my college career another go. It was not easy readjusting to college life, and on top of that the classes weren't easy. However, I was getting the hang of it. Then Covid-19 infiltrated The Bahamas, which forced students to return to their home islands. Classes were then completely virtual, and this posed as another challenge. But, I am thankful to say that like every other obstacle I've encountered, I overcame it. This semester hasn't been the best either with everything being online, but so far I'm making the best of my circumstances. 

Once again, thank you so much for your contribution to my future. This will surely assist me in making it further. 

My Best Regards,

Rakell Riley”

The second $500 scholarship was given to Rodneal Hanna. Here is her letter sharing her story and speaking directly to donors:

“I would like to thank you for your continued support of my journey to my degree. It has been a tough year especially since my university, like many others have gone virtual but I am still in school and holding on. However, I have changed my major to Secondary Education Religion Bachelor's Program. My G.P.A last semester (Spring 2020) was 3.52 and I intend on keeping it up in this current semester as well. College has been a wonderful and eye opening experience and I want to thank you once again for helping me to experience this amazing journey.

Rodneal Hanna”

Since 2016, IFS has raised $10,000 for the fund which is given away annually as awarded scholarships to seniors from Central Andros and Huntley Christie High Schools.

IFS is grateful to have also received the Fullen-Smith Foundation Scholarship in 2020. A big thank you to one of our Group Leaders, Deb, for sharing the scholarship opportunity with us and keeping IFS in her mind. Though we aim to keep the cost of our Forfar Marine Science Program (Gap Year) as low as possible, we understand it’s still a high price point for many students. We were thrilled to have offered 2 students attending the Fall 2020 cohort of the Forfar Marine Science Program with a scholarship from the Fullen-Smith Foundation! With four more gap year cohorts to run in 2021, IFS will continue to offer scholarship support thanks to the Fullen-Smith Foundation.

In memory of Ben Bohl, we started the Dr. Walter “Ben” Bohl scholarship fund in the fall of 2019.  Since then, we have raised nearly $9,500 for the fund. This fund is ready when schools begin to travel again and have students who need assistance to attend the program. Group leaders will be notified once we open up that fund to help us identify students who could benefit from it.

Stay tuned for additional updates to this blog as we continue to share how IFS gives back to students both near and far. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in the past and continues to support IFS. Share this blog on your social media channels or post our donation page to help spread the word: intlfieldstudies.org/donate

Gap Year Alumni: Faith Hertz

Tell us about yourself prior to Forfar!

I am from San Diego, California. I went to a small private school from kindergarten all the way to my senior year and I am 19. After graduation, I was planning on attending a university, but the weeks leading up to my move in date, I became less excited about going because I had no idea what I wanted to do and that’s when I decided to take a gap year and it was definitely the best decision I ever made!

How did you hear about the Forfar Marine Science Program?

I began researching different programs and things I could do during my gap year and found the Forfar Marine Science Program.

What was one (or some) of your favorite parts of the program?

One aspect of the program I really enjoyed was finding my passion for learning again. Every lecture we had, I genuinely was so interested in learning and I wanted to learn even more. After snorkeling or diving, my friends and I would hit the ID books to find and learn about all the fish and sea creatures we saw. It was truly amazing being in an environment where you’re learning about subjects that interest you and being surrounded by people that love learning and want to share their knowledge with you. The staff was so knowledgeable about so many different subjects that as students, we got a wide range of education whether it was birds and fish or island geology or botany!

Another part I loved, is that we were constantly pushed outside of our comfort zones. Scuba diving for the first time was probably one of the most intimidating things I’ve ever done, but it turned out to be my favorite activity to do. Although it was scary at first, our whole group was doing it for the first time too which made it a fun adventure!

What was the most challenging aspect or task?

The most challenging part for me was finding time to do the papers or study for quizzes/tests because I always just wanted to hangout with everyone or swim in the ocean. I suggest having some study/homework parties because it makes it more fun!

What was it like living with the other students you hadn't met before? Do you still keep in contact with anyone?

I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous living with people I didn’t know for 6 weeks, but it was so much fun! Being with the same people 24/7 makes you bond together so fast! I have met my best friends from my trip and I only knew them for 6 weeks. We’d stay up late laughing and chatting. Being together all day everyday creates the most special friendships I’ve ever had! I still talk to lots of the people I met on the trip! One girl and I coincidentally ended up going on a second gap year trip together which was so fun! And some of the other girls are coming to California for a mini vacation!

What advice would you give incoming students? Would you recommend this program to anyone?

My advice for incoming students is to keep an open mind and remember to live in the moment! There will possibly be some subjects or activities you’ll have to participate in that may not interest you, but if you keep an open mind, I can almost guarantee that you’ll enjoy it more than you think. When I got there, I absolutely hated birds, but a few weeks in I was taking every opportunity to go birding and would wake up at 6 am to go (and I am not a morning person), but these are truly some of my best memories! To me, 6 weeks sounded so long, but it went by quick so remember to take in everyday and appreciate where you are because it is truly beautiful! I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who loves learning, traveling, and the ocean. Even if you don’t want to major in marine biology or environmental science, you’ll have experiences you’ll remember your whole life!

What would you say to ease parents minds about their child traveling to the remote location of Andros?

I will say my parents were a little nervous about sending me to a remote island they never heard of, but it was so safe! I always felt so safe there and the staff had all our backs. Plus, your child will be having so much fun that’ll be the last thing you’re thinking about!

Where are you now?

After Forfar, I went on a semester at sea in the Caribbean which was another amazing experience! I have been working on more scuba certifications and am currently working up to be a divemaster hopefully by the end of the year! This fall, I will be attending the University of Tampa with a major in Marine Biology and I’m so excited to be continuing my education there.

Anything else you want to add?

If you’re thinking about taking a gap year, I would 100% encourage you too! I have met my very best friends through these programs. I also have found my passion for the ocean and scuba diving and am now more ready than ever to leave home and attend college. If it hadn’t been for this program, I wouldn’t have known what I wanted to do with my life. I grew so much as an individual from that program and I encourage anyone to do it, even if you’re scared like I was, it was the best decision I have ever made! Watch the YouTube video I made of my experience!

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Faith is also our Student Ambassador and is happy to talk to any parents or students who are interested in enrolling in the Forfar Marine Science Program. Email office@intlfieldstudies.org to get connected!

Alumni Highlight: Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent, Former Student and Group Leader

Michael with the Miami University Class of 2018

How did the Miami University Botany program at Forfar Field Station start?

The program started with Hardy Eshbaugh and TK Wilson after they discovered Forfar while on a birding trip to Andros. They started the botany course at Miami University with a travel component to Forfar back in 1972. My first visit to Forfar was when I took the course as a graduate student at Miami in 1986. Then, in 1995 they brought Jim and I down to the field station to learn how to teach the course and ever since then I led the trip for Miami Botany. We now have Rich Moore leading the student trips with another graduate student since I’ll be retiring in July (2020). It’s the 3rd generation of Miami Botany, how exciting!

What was your official title at Miami? Were you always on track to becoming a professor or how did you find yourself there?

I’m the Curator for the Willard Sherman Turrell Herbarium.I knew I loved botany when I was five years old when I would sit around looking at plants so I’ve been doing what I always wanted to do. My parents went to Miami and it was the only school I applied to since I knew about their impressive botany program. Since I started at age five, I like to tell people I’ve been a Botanist for 60 years now!

What are some of your favorite memories from the student trips?

It was amazing seeing the students grow over the course of 2 weeks both personally and in their understanding of biology. I remember seeing dolphins come in with the boats on the way back to Forfar after a day out on the ocean. We had some students jump out and swim with them. There were also some harrowing experiences in years prior where we were stuck on a Cay during a sudden thunderstorm with tremendous amounts of thunder. Mostly, just seeing how much the students got out of this type of experience.

How did you see Andros/Forfar change over the years?

The advent of electricity readily available on the island made a huge difference. When we first visited it was intermittent at best with no regular electrical service. Electricity was only available certain times of day and just came from generators. There was no generally available water system either, just water tanks for rainwater so we had to be extra careful about water consumption. The station has become more and more modernized over the decades which has been huge. I’ve seen the population of Andros grow and more development happen. I’ve struggled with seeing some sites lose their biodiversity; one beautiful field of orchids was bulldozed when a bonefishing resort lodge was built. Luckily, Andros is still remote enough that it hasn’t been too developed.

Was it challenging being a group leader? What was the most rewarding part?

The most challenging aspect was if we had students who were immature or would misbehave. The most rewarding part was certainly seeing the growth in the students' understanding of the concepts we were teaching and their excitement in the field.

What is your favorite land or boat day?

As a Botanist, I prefer being on land and am not much of a water person. Though I did love Pigeon, Rat Cay, and Saddleback for the boat days. Land, oh golly, there were so many neat places! Atala Coppice was certainly a favorite and any blue hole filled with orchids and bromeliads. I loved seeing so many diverse habitats. For such a small place, it’s so fun to go from habitat to habitat giving the students the chance to compare them.

When was the last time you were at Forfar? Do you ever see yourself returning to Andros or Forfar?

I was there with my last student group in 2019. I hope to return someday soon and bring my wife with me to experience Andros. I’m about to retire and plan to work on a flora book so I’m hoping to visit Andros again as part of that research. I think I’ve been to Forfar 60 or more times over the course of my life.

What does Forfar mean to you?

Miami U Students studying at Forfar

Forfar was a big part of my career as a scientist. Especially with how important it was for me to have access to the area the way I did through Forfar Field Station since I was able to be in the field in a way that would not have been offered to me as a normal tourist. I would always tell my students beforehand I wanted them to learn how to see things on this trip. They go through school being taught ‘this is a leaf’ and ‘that is a petal’ but I wanted them to understand all the subjects, physiology and ecology, and see everything together - which they did.

Alumni Highlight: Shelby Brown, Student and Dive Instructor

Shelby Brown, Former Student & Current Dive Instructor

Shelby teaching students how to dive at Forfar

When did you first visit Forfar?

I first visited Forfar as a student in 2014. I was originally pursuing a Wildlife Management degree but had a lot of friends in the Hocking College Ecotourism program. They were all talking about a field trip to the Bahamas which got me interested!

Are you still in touch with your friends from the trip?

I do still keep in touch with friends from the trip. We live further apart now so it’s harder to see everyone but I made close friends and still keep in contact with my original dive buddy, Todd.

What is the most memorable or favorite part of your time as a student at Forfar?

SCUBA diving was what really stuck with me! But there were lots of other amazing experiences too. I remember snorkeling an oceanic blue hole and the coral were all super healthy and there were huge fish swimming around me. We also had one moment where a shark swam right next to us and it was one of the most memorable parts of my trip.

Your experience at Forfar with Hocking College is the same curriculum we have implemented in our 6-week Forfar Marine Science Program. What would you say to students who may be interested in spending their gap year at Forfar?

Definitely do it! My life wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t gone on this trip, I never would have learned to dive, or met Andy (my current boss) or fallen in love with the ocean. Just do it, I don’t think it’s possible to have a bad time on this trip, regardless of what you do later it will leave with a lot of lessons. Whether academic, cultural, or lessons about yourself. The disconnect and lack of technology meant we spent so much time together and had new experiences. I learned to find joy in simple activities like playing basketball and just talking with other people. It’s a phenomenal place and it’s impossible not to enjoy yourself there.

How did the Forfar program benefit you in your current job?

I wouldn’t have my current job, as the store manager at Columbus SCUBA, if I hadn’t gone to Forfar. The program introduced me to so many different career paths that I hadn’t previously considered. My experience gave me the initial certifications to get started in the scuba diving field. When I latched onto diving, it just exploded from there. Learning to dive at Forfar is probably what allowed me to fall in love with diving. If I learned to dive back in Ohio in cold, muddy quarries I don’t know if it would have had the same impact.

I finished the program at Forfar with my PADI Open Water and PADI Advanced Open Water certifications. Then I immediately signed up for my Rescue course and bought my own gear. I was working on my Divemaster course when I was offered a full time job at Columbus SCUBA. I felt incredibly lucky to be offered this job, before I had even completed my Divemaster training. I gained my Dive Instructor certification in December 2015 and since then I have progressed in the field becoming a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

What are your responsibilities in your current role? 

In my current role I get to do a lot of SCUBA courses in the swimming pool in the winter and in local quarries in the summer. We dive locally almost every weekend and there are lots of opportunity for travel. I’ve taught in Bonaire, Little Cayman, Florida, and The Bahamas. It’s not all diving though, I do a lot of administration work too. I make sure that everything in the store is running smoothly by managing the crew at the store, maintaining equipment, cleaning, working directly with customers and scheduling SCUBA classes. For me, having a good work family makes it all an enjoyable experience and I think I have the best work family!

Shelby (center) teaching students to dive at Forfar in 2018

What was it like returning to Forfar as a dive instructor for the program you graduated from?

It’s an amazing, super nostalgic experience for me, it’s like everything has come full circle. I can see myself in the students because I was in their position once. I understand the anticipation, the nervousness, and the excitement they are feeling because I felt that, too.  I think the students trust me more because they know that I’ve been through the experience before. Getting to go back and teach at Forfar is one of my absolute favorite parts of my job, every time I go back I form a deeper relationship with Forfar.

Did you connect with any local staff during your visits as a student or dive instructor?

Yes for sure, I really connected with Daddy Cool on my original trip to Forfar and every time I return, we have deeper conversations, I love hearing about his life and his family. Same with the breakfast cooks, Doramae and Catherine. I remember being intimidated when I first met them but now every time I return, they always come and say hello and we have great conversations catching up. I love to talk with Cardo and Randal to hear about what has changed and see the different phases of Forfar. I have definitely developed a relationship with all of the local staff and enjoy being able to experience Bahamian culture directly by hearing about the lives and stories of local people on Andros.

Shelby (right) diving at Forfar

Where is your favorite dive site and why?

On Andros, it has to be Amphitheater. It feels like you’re in a coral stadium with the swim throughs and the corals built up on either side of you. There’s one portion that looks like a big sand road and leads down deeper into the Tongue of the Ocean which is so cool. I’ve seen some really amazing wildlife there like big barracudas and reef sharks.

What would you say to someone who is interested in scuba diving but anxious to try it for the first time?

I would say just try it! The more time you spend in the water the more comfortable you will become, nobody is an expert the first time they try something. All dive instructors were once Open Water students so no one is judging you! If people are worried about safety, yes diving has inherent risks but they are easily avoided and that’s all part of your initial training. Stay within the limits of your training, build your experience slowly, and you can minimize most risks. It’s not as scary as it sounds!

Did you know Ben Bohl? Any memories you want to share about Ben?

I first met Ben on my pre-trip meeting at Hocking College before I visited Forfar. I met him again once I started working at Columbus SCUBA and we shared office space, he was always super kind to me. From everything I’ve seen at IFS, I can tell that he really cared about educating students and cared deeply about Andros.

Shelby (far right) with Forfar staff in 2017

What does Forfar mean to you?

Forfar means a lot to me, it’s the place I figured out what I wanted to do with my life and my career. It’s a place you can go and disconnect from the more superficial and frivolous things in life and just really be in the moment, get back to basics, and connect to nature.

Is there anything else you want to add or would want our (blog) readers to know?

I would want them to know that Forfar is amazing but you need to be willing to go with the flow, it will teach you to be flexible, and roll with the punches! It’s a valuable life lesson to learn that plans can change moment to moment and how best you can adapt to those changes. Forfar is awesome and you should go! It’s rustic but that’s part of what I love about it, it makes it an adventure and is part of the fun.

About Andros Island

Overview of Andros  

Andros is the largest island of the Bahama Archipelago, which consists of more than 700 islands. At more than 100 miles long and 40 miles wide, it is the fifth largest island in all of the Caribbean [1]. Andros is composed of three major islands (North Andros, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros), numerous smaller cays and inlets, and is laced with creeks and wetlands with a densely forested inland. Transportation between the north and south islands is not possible by land. 

Today, compared with other Bahamian islands, Andros has a much smaller population with fewer than 8,000 people [2].  Most of the settlements on Andros are located on the eastern coast, with more than half the population centralized in 3 main towns: Nicholl’s Town, Andros Town (aka Fresh Creek), and Congo Town. The island's western coast is still largely uninhabited with one key settlement called Red Bays.

The western coast of Andros is home to the 1.5 million acre West Side National Park. This makes up part of the largest protected area in the Bahamas with four other National Parks; the Blue Holes National Park, Crab Replenishment Reserve and North & South Marine Parks all maintained by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).

History and Culture

Although Andros is less than 200 miles off the coast of Florida, the language and culture are distinctly different from the United States. We share a common language, but Bahamian English carries influence from African and island dialects and is often spoken more quickly than standard American English [3]. Virtually untouched by the tourism industry common to other Bahamian islands, Andros remains a rural area characterized by small tightly-knit communities.

Visitors who embrace the Androsian people and their culture will be richly rewarded and educated by the experience. Andros has a long and varied history that includes Arawak, Lucayan, and Seminole Indians, European colonizers, enslaved people from Africa, pirates, bootleggers, and smugglers. Today Andros is known for its annual festivals and local celebrations, most notably it is home to the weekend long All Andros Crab Fest. This annual festival celebrates the catching, cooking, and eating of land crabs famously found on Andros. Highlights of the festival include releasing of the crabs and traditional Rake n’ Scrape live music. Other celebrated festivals on Andros include Homecomings, Sailing Regattas, and Junkanoo celebrations.

Flora and Fauna

A bahama oriole captured and tagged at forfar field station by the omland lab at UMBC

Andros lends itself well to terrestrial studies since its size correlates with its diversity. Andros is a subtropical island with 10 distinct vegetation zones [12]. Pineland, saltwater marsh, savanna, scrub, freshwater swamp, beach/strand, coastal rock, mangrove, coastal coppice, and interior coppice areas are all accessible for field studies. The mangroves of Andros are currently being restored with efforts from the Bahamas Forestry Unit and BNT. In both wetland and forested areas, over 200 endemic and North American birds have been included in long-term bird counts. You can actually find six of the seven bird species endemic to the Bahamas right here on Andros [4] including the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, which is the focus of current ongoing research projects with University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and BNT.

Uncle charlie’s blue hole on north andros

Reptiles include the endangered Bahamian boa, several different species of Caribbean sea turtles, the endangered Andros rock iguana and a variety of anoles. Along the coast, compare the rocky shores to the white sand beaches and ask to visit some excellent invertebrate tide-pooling areas.

More than 50 species of wild orchids thrive in the subtropical forests and the wetlands of Andros. The orchid genus Epidendrum has nine species endemic to the Bahamas, all of which can be found on Andros [5].

Geologists are attracted to many features in the Bahamas, including the thick limestone foundation of the island, dramatically cut by deep channels. The geology and topography of the island is distinctive. With 178 inland and 50 oceanic blue holes and a network of underwater caves Andros has the highest concentration of blue holes found anywhere in the world [6].

Andros By Sea

When people think of the Bahamas, they visualize white sandy beaches, a balmy breeze, and azure, crystal water. Andros has all of these in abundance, but perhaps the barrier reef is the most stunning feature. The reef is flanked by the The Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO), a U-shaped trench which separates the islands of Andros and New Providence. The TOTO reaches depths of 6,000 ft. and is approximately 20 miles wide by 150 miles long [7].

Just one of several marine habitats, the reef runs the full length of the island. The Andros fringing barrier reef is the third largest fringing reef in the world, second only to Australia and Belize, and is considered by many to be the most diverse and pristine. The reef has both fringing and barrier characteristics and supports a colorful and amazing diversity of life. It offers a tremendous variety of 10 to 25 foot deep gardens abloom with both hard and soft corals, some of which emerge from the seas at low tide. Like many coral reefs, the Andros barrier reef is under threat from global warming, ocean acidification, and overfishing. To help conserve our reef the Perry Institute of Marine Science and Reef Rescue Network have been developing a network of coral propagation sites across Andros.

You don't need to be a SCUBA diver to enjoy the benefits of the ocean. Our snorkeling sites described in the “Sites and Sights” guide offer fantastic views of a great variety of fish, coral, turtles, and other invertebrates guests experience when visiting Forfar Field Station. Exotic reef fish species that make this place home provide a pleasurable kaleidoscope for divers and snorkelers alike. In the waters farther off shore, you will find marlins, tarpons, sailfish, tunas, snappers, jacks, plus other game fish [7]. Occasionally, snorkelers enjoy the rare privilege of spotting wild dolphins or manatees that may join in for a dip off the beach at Forfar.

Economy

Androsia Fabric

Historically the economy on Andros was highly varied including agricultural farming, fishing, sponging, and logging. Today the tourism economy on Andros is centered on sport fishing, birding, SCUBA diving, and handicrafts such as wood carving and basket weaving. Andros is known as the “Bonefishing Capital of the World” due to its vast flats and thriving bonefish population and there are numerous bonefishing lodges on the island. [8]

Agricultural farming on Andros is currently being revolutionized with help from the on-island college Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). The economy on Andros is also supported by a number of Mennonite missions, a few small resorts, commercial fishing, and the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) - a NATO base run by the US Navy.  The largest employers on Andros are the Bahamian government and AUTEC.

The (unofficial) national fabric of the Bahamas is also produced on Andros the Batik fabric known as Androsia is a distinct, bright fabric that is created through a unique process involving hand carved stamps and hot wax. [9]

Climate

The temperature on Andros is pleasant all year long. The single most important climatic agent affecting the Andros weather is the warm trade wind. During the winter months, the Gulf Stream warms the island, in May, southerly trade winds return to gently cool them [10] [11].

Average water temperatures (°F)

Jan 74°    Feb 74°     Mar 75°     Apr 78°    May 80°   Jun 83°   Jul 85°    Aug 86°    Sep 86°   Oct 83°   Nov 80°   Dec 77°

Gap Year on Andros

Forfar Field Station has expanded our educational programming to allow individuals to visit as part of a Gap Year experience during our Forfar Marine Science Program! This unique opportunity is available to students aged 18-24 interested in spending 6-weeks on Andros to study marine biology. Students earn SCUBA diving, Wilderness First Aid, Sea Kayaking, and Leave No Trace certifications. They will study marine science with the ocean as their classroom, volunteer with local nonprofits, and have the experience of a lifetime as they explore Andros! Enroll today!

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Citations

[1] "Andros." The Official Site of The Bahamas. The Islands of the Bahamas. Accessed May 26, 2020.

[2] "2010 Census of Population and Housing" PDF. Department of Statistics. The Government of the Bahamas. p. 45. Web. 19 May 2020.

[3] "Our Language." The Official Site of The Bahamas. Accessed May 26, 2020.

[4] “On Andros Island, the Birding Is Prime and the Crowds Are Sparse”. Audubon News. Accessed May 26, 2020.

[5] Campbell, David. The Ephemeral Islands, A Natural History of the Bahamas. p. 42

[6] "Incredible Blue Holes of the World." The Weather Channel. Accessed May 26, 2020.

[7] "Andros Barrier Reef and Tongue of the Ocean." The Official Site of The Bahamas. Accessed May 26, 2020.

[8] “Andros Island” Bahamas Fly Fishing Guide. Accessed May 27 2020.

[9] “The Androsia Story” Androsia. Accessed May, 19, 2020.

[10] "Andros Town The Bahamas Monthly Weather."The Weather Channel. Accessed May 19, 2020.

[11] "Andros Town Sea Temperature." Global Sea Temperature. Accessed May 19, 2020.

[12] On the Nature of the Dry Evergreen Forest (Coppice) Communities of North Andros Island, Bahamas. Accessed June 25, 2020.

5 reasons parents worry about gap years (and why they shouldn’t)

High school seniors and undergraduate students may find themselves at a time in their life where a Gap Year experience would be perfect for their personal and professional goals. But sometimes one of the roadblocks to pursuing this dream is their parents not agreeing with this type of decision. Well parents, we get it. There’s lots to worry about and any deviation from the norm for your child can seem like the wrong move. But, we are here to tell you why your biggest worries are not actually worries. 

1)  Gap Years are way too expensive, how can I justify the high cost?

Yes, some Gap Year experiences can cost just as much (or more) than a semester of college courses. But, our Forfar Marine Science Program is inexpensive considering what the program offers. Students leave with 5 professional, internationally recognized certifications, hours of hands-on marine field skills they can add to their resume, volunteer experiences with local nonprofits, and 6-weeks of personal growth to last a lifetime. Not to mention, the program cost includes all food, lodging, transportation on island, lab activities, and roundtrip in-country flights. Plus, how can you put a price on life-skills? 

If that wasn’t enough convincing , IFS even developed a need-based Scholarship Fund for students. 

2) Isn’t a gap year a waste of time?

In 2020, employers are looking for experience over grade point average or the typical linear academic path. They want to know if you can think critically, respond well to unique stressors and challenges, and what type of creative edge or personality you can bring to the team. All these are skills cultivated from experiences students gain outside the classroom and in a  6-week Gap Year experience. Soft skills are marketable now more than ever and help candidates stand out on competitive interviews. 

There is not only one way to be successful. Experiences allowing students to learn in the field and have experiences they would have nowhere else in the world can help foster their drive for success. Getting outside your comfort zone and developing a new sense of confidence and self-awareness makes a stronger impact than memorizing facts for an online test.

Any experience that contributes to a student’s professional and personal growth is not a waste of time, especially one designed to do just that.

3) Will my child never go to college because they opt to take a year off from traditional schooling?

Studies have found that 90% of students return to college after completing a Gap Year. Not only do the students return, they often perform better than those who did not take a Gap Year. 

Taking a Gap Year allows for the stressors of institutional education to fade, allowing students the chance to see what they enjoy learning and what areas they want to focus on without being forced upon by an outside source. “60 percent reported the time off had either inspired or confirmed their choice of career or academic major” said Karl Haigler in her book The Gap Year Advantage. Being a life-long learner is not something that can be taught but it can be cultivated in the right setting where exploration and curiosity are at the forefront. 

Experiences outside the classroom can help students develop a real passion for their studies and give them the motivation needed to persevere  in the face of challenges once they return to college. It also gives them a chance to avoid burnout, a reason many choose a Gap Year before Medical School. 

4) How will my child excel academically without the structure of college?

Like most Gap Year experiences, the Forfar Marine Science Program has a strong academic component with structured lectures, homework, and quizzes and optional college credit. 

The academic experience students have at Forfar Field Station involves the ocean as a classroom or lectures followed immediately by in the field activities to strengthen their understanding. This type of hands-on reinforcement helps keep students academically sound and increases their interest in learning outside of the bounds of a room in a school building. 

Living away from parents and peers, this experience also lends itself to learning how to be responsible for completing school work on time and learning how to study most productively. The marine field skills courses, 5 professional certifications, and classes held each week are sure to keep students academically inclined while in the program. 

5) I’ve read all the news about COVID-19, how do I know it will be okay to travel?

Safety is the first priority of International Field Studies, the nonprofit that runs Forfar Field station. IFS has been running field study experiences to Forfar for over 50 years and is well versed in the safety measures needed to create a safe learning environment. IFS understands how to respond to unprecedented events and make the best decisions for everyone’s safety as evidenced by our previous temporary closing of the station in March-June, 2020. Preparing for better days ahead this fall, IFS fully intends to run the Fall 2020 cohort of the Forfar Marine Science Program and has developed new cleaning and safety measures for all students and staff. 

IFS would alert students right away if the travel dates changed or there was a program update. With the uncertainty of COVID-19, we understand no one knows what the world will look like in the coming months so our student refund policies have been rewritten to benefit Forfar Marine Science students and guarantee full money back if travel is not permitted. 

We hope you will join us in planning for a better future this fall and taking the step to secure an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience for your son or daughter.

More details on Forfar’s response to COVID-19 can be found here.