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 A couple of pictures of the group departing Tetiaroa to start their journey home! 

 The week on Tetiaroa has flown by. Below are some photos of happy (but tired!) travelers. Contributing to mosquito-eradication program: 750 ready for release! The release site Ready to depart for Honuea (the motu in the background) for habitat assessment. Returning from Honuea! Traditional Weaving Snorkeling Getting Ready for Departure for an Earth Day Beach Clean Up The Clean Up! The students have been working hard and making the most of their time here on Tetiaroa. Hard to believe we have to depart!

Below are some initial student reflections on our time in Tetiaroa. First, though, some pictures of outcomes of traditional weaving we have been learning. The birds (represented in the upper photo) and fish (represented in the lower photo) have an intimate ecological connection as birds feed offshore and, with their guano, bring ocean-derived nutrients to the coral reef environment. This nutrient enrichment supports healthy, harvestable fish populations on the reefs. In conversations with conservation biologists working on Tetiaroa, students have learned about how rat eradication efforts have bolstered populations of nesting sea birds and how studies aim to assess the positive trophic cascades that result from these restoration efforts.   Magic Moments – Isabella My first impression of Tetiaroa was that I had stepped into a screensaver or nature documentary because everything around us was so unbelievably pristine and perfect, but what has characterized my time here so ...

The following are some final reflections of experiences on Moorea. We have traveled to Tetiaroa and will have some more updates in the days ahead. We appreciate your patience with the irregularity of the posts; WiFi access is limited on the atoll! David, Fakehereddine, and Jennifer The Weekend with Host Family - Daniel Stellan and I started our weekend with a relaxing morning – reading on our families dock and looking at the fish and the mountains – before our host mom and 17-year-old brother took us on a driving tour around the entire island while we listened to the Tahitian radio. Our first stop was the Rotui juice factory where we sampled all the juices (my favorite was mango and Stellans’ was multifruit). Then we headed up the central island mountain to a viewpoint of Cooks Bay and Opunohu bay with Rotui Mountain separating them. After the viewpoint, as we drove along the beach and around the island, we stopped to get ice cream, then went to another viewpoint of the reef with Ta...

We have been busy in the field and also working hard to refine our dancing/drumming/singing for the farewell dinner and dance performance for the host families. The students have been remarkable - so engaged and enthusiastic for every experience! A series of student reflections share insights about some of the things that have been keeping us busy!  David, Fakhereddine, and Jennifer Plant Dye + Traditional knowledge vs. Western Science – Hallie Traditional knowledge is derived from similar methodologies as western science – through observation and experimentation to address a problem or answer a question. The problem in question today was creating colors, specifically deriving natural dyes from plants. Mariella led us around the garden to collect plants. Before we could remove branches and leaves from trees, we must ask for its permission – a reflection of the interconnected relationship between the Polynesian people and nature; while western science removes the scholar from the su...

 Just a few photos from a gathering at the beach with homestay families. Some enjoyed the water while others relaxed in the shade. Still other students crafted sand drawings of Fakhereddine and David. More photos and student blogs when we reconnect with the students this week and have a chance to download their photos and type reflections! David, Fakhereddine, and Jennifer

  Last night drumming was amazing. It was powerful seeing how the grounding sounds of the drum intertwine with the swift movement of the dance. As a drummer it is important to feel the beat and allow it to control you. It is equally as important to hear the rhythm of your fellow drummers and merge your sound with theirs. We are blessed to have such amazing teachers, spectacular dancers, and finally each other. Although we aren’t perfect, I am positive that we will exceed all expectations by the time we perform. We are excited to bring home the rhythms of the Tomah, Hitoto, Papahui, and Tika. (Christian M)   Its already Thursday! Today, Adelina taught us the beginning of our choreography that we will perform for our families next week. Our choreography takes inspiration and is almost solely about the presence of the land. When we dance, we face the ocean and some of the motions include showing waves with our arms and jumping up to grab the stars. Today, we wore pareo which is a...

  I love it here. It's been a while since I've felt at peace with where I am and with what I'm doing. Life here seems simple and perfect and I appreciate that more than I can say. Last night my host brother and his cousin played me and my host-mate some songs, both in Polynesian and in English and they not only sounded like professional musicians but you could tell that they played for the joy of playing. Listening to their music made my heart feel full and I felt so at peace in that moment. I have trouble living in the moment at home because there's always so much to do but here I have the time to slow down and enjoy the things around me. The scenery, the people, the food. I also appreciate the fact that this experience will end because that's what makes it all the more meaningful. We're 3 days in and I already have so many stories to share. I miss a lot of things from back home, my family, my partner, technology, bagels, but I feel like I'm really learning...

Just a quick message to note our arrival on Moorea! After an orientation to the Atitia Cultural Center and the Gump Marine Station, students connected with their homestay families. Many smiles amidst the warm welcome we all received! dj  

 Hey friends and family back home, I’m here with our first dispatch from French Polynesia! Today was our first full day and we spent it exploring the island of Tahiti. Our main activity was a bus tour around the ring highway of the island with plenty of amazing stops. They ranged from the beautiful nature of Tahiti to the rich cultural history of the island – including a visit to the reconstructed ruins of a Marae (a Polynesian religious site) and a stop at one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever seen. Some of my own personal highlights were experiencing our first tropical rainstorm and seeing a sea turtle from the shore!  French Polynesia been nothing short of lovely so far and our short time here has only made me more excited for the weeks to come! - Spencer

Dear Ecology: GSL French Polynesia families, The group met this morning at the airport and are all set for their flight to French Polynesia!   More posts in a few days when the group is settled.