Experiential Learning on the Antarctic Peninsula: Student Reflections on a Scientific Study Abroad Program

We here describe experiential and reflective learning during a study abroad program to the Antarctic Peninsula via Ushuaia, Argentina offered through Virginia Tech (VT) and supported by AUIP (American Universities International Programs Limited). VT is one of several participating U.S. universities in this consortium-style, annual program that is facilitated by AUIP but tailored by faculty to each institution’s curriculum. VT offers a 6-credit course structured around the fall lecture series and the two-week, ship-based field excursion during the university’s winter session. This course, open to all majors at VT, exposes students to various geographic concepts including sense of place, earth system processes, landscape change, and environmental gradients. The learning approach is grounded in major tenants of experiential learning that align with field-based physical geography and prioritizes hands-on activities. Reflection is stressed through formal and informal written assignments and discussions. During the fall semester, students undergo logistical preparations, meet with their cohort, and gain contextual knowledge through AUIP’s rigorous virtual guest lecture series. Course assignments link directly to field-based modules involving primary data collection, completed while abroad. After the expedition, students analyze and share their module data through a group presentation and report. They additionally complete an individual, sense of place reflective essay to synthesize their experience. We describe the course structure, study abroad location, major assignments, and relevance to geography. Throughout the narrative we use excerpts from the students’ final reflective essays to provide a characterization of the collective experience and highlight major themes as relevant to geography.