Earth Expeditions

Earth Expeditions are Miami University study abroad courses designed for people who are looking for inspiring professional development opportunities while earning graduate credit. All courses engage with grassroots conservation and sustainability programs that are making a difference in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

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A student taking a picture during an Amazon EE course

Amazon: Avian & Tropical Ecology

Journey to the Amazon and learn how communities are working to save this astonishing and irreplaceable ecosystem.

Australia: Great Barrier Reef

Dive into the conservation and education opportunities of the Great Barrier Reef, the global center of marine biodiversity.

The Bahamas: Cultivating Conservation Networks

Snorkel in biodiverse marine protected areas, explore unique national parks, and gain an understanding of community-driven initiatives by talking directly with local experts at the forefront of conservation.

Baja: Field Methods

Experience the spectacular desert and marine landscapes of two richly diverse biosphere reserves through ecological and social field methods.

A sandy beach in Belize on a clear sunny day

Belize: Approaches to Environmental Stewardship

Investigate coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars, and other wildlife while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them.

Borneo: Primate Conservation

Study Borneo’s primate denizens, including the orangutan. Develop new ways to engage communities worldwide in primate conservation.

Brazil: Saving Golden Lion Tamarins

Seeing a family of golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) in the mystical Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil is quite an experience.

Costa Rica: Ecology & Ecotourism

Work alongside long-time conservationists as you observe sea turtles and hike through lowland and coastal rainforests investigating the ecogical and social factors that influence ecotourism in Costa Rica.

Galápagos: Islands of Change

Visit the realm of giant tortoises; study the forces of evolutionary, geologic, and social change; contribute to sustainable solutions for this astounding archipelago.

Student enjoying the view of the valley.

Guyana: Local Wisdom & Conservation

Experience one of the greatest examples of primary rainforest in the world. Learn how indigenous Makushi communities are building a sustainable future.

India: Species, Deities & Communities

Journey through the stunning ecological, cultural, and spiritual landscapes of the Western Ghats, where people, wildlife, and deities meet in sacred groves and forest temples.

Kenya: Wildlife & People in Integrated Landscapes

Join conservationists, educators, community leaders, and youth to study sustainable approaches to human wildlife coexistence.

Mongolia: Steppe Ecology & Civic Media

Explore an incomparable grassland ecosystem. Learn how to support citizen conservation reporters.

Namibia: Great Cat Conservation

Experience ongoing research projects such as radio tracking, cheetah physiology, ecosystem management, and the design of school and community programs.

Paraguay: Eco-Leadership

Students in this course co-develop an Eco-Leadership program in Paraguay with our partner, Para La Tierra.

Thailand: Buddhism & Conservation

Study emerging models in conservation and education. Understand nature through Buddhist philosophy.

FAQs

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A collections of colorful houses on an island.

Global Partners

Meet our amazing global partners here!

Conservation at home and abroad

Earth Expeditions consist of two required components:

a 5-credit summer term study abroad experience (~10 days) with complementary online coursework
a 2-credit fall semester follow-up online course in which participants actualize change in their local communities.

Earth Expeditions courses are open to any adult learners and teachers seeking professional development opportunities to benefit their career, as well as individuals simply seeking a unique life-changing experience. Earth Expeditions are also taken by graduate students working towards a M.A.T. in Biology or a M.A. in Biology through Dragonfly’s two graduate programs in biology: the Global Field Program and the Advanced Inquiry Program.

Building Relationships

Through these unique field experiences and the related online coursework, participants form lasting relationships with leading educators, community leaders, and conservationists from around the world.

All students collaborate with caring Miami University instructors and classmates in Dragonfly Workshops, an easy-to-use web-based learning community created by Miami’s Project Dragonfly. Through this learning platform, students worldwide discuss assignments, develop projects, and exchange ideas throughout the summer and fall semesters.

During the international field experiences, students and instructors discuss course content and connect over shared once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as snorkeling with whale sharks in Baja, Mexico, witnessing cheetah conservation first-hand in Namibia, viewing wild macaws and sloths in the Peruvian Amazon, and more. We encourage you to check out the courses to learn more.

Student Reflections

Meghan Manary digging in the sand and smiling to camera.

Australia Student Reflection: Meghan Manary

" I now joke that nothing that I do in the future will ever matter because I have completed my life goal of studying conservation in Australia, which I once thought was unachievable (part of me is not joking though)"

Allie Coronado smiling in the field holding a piece of bone

India Student Reflection: Allie Coronado

"Words will never truly encompass the life-transforming experience I endured during my time there,"

Grace Masaoka smiling to camera standing in a rice patty field.

Thailand Student Reflection: Grace Masaoka

"The experiences in Thailand taught me so much, in so many different ways. Being immersed in Thai culture and Buddhism, learning about conservation efforts, getting to explore our own inquiries, and the privilege of seeing hornbill research up close and personal (and the list goes on)"

Charles Ruff sitting on a hammock in front of the ocean.

Belize Student Reflection: Charles Ruff

"There is no doubt in my mind that if I could go back and do it all over again then I would! I wouldn't change anything about it."

Tessa Cafritz standing in the desert in front of a lot of cactuses.

Baja Student Reflection: Tessa Cafritz

"I think about sleeping under the stars, about walking through forests of cacti as the sun was setting, creating biolumincise through the waving of my hands"

We Envision

Earth Expeditions is jointly offered by Project Dragonfly at Miami University and conservation and education partners worldwide. Our mission is to build an alliance of individuals with first-hand knowledge of inquiry-driven, community-based learning for the benefit of ecological communities, student achievement, and global understanding.

Earth Expeditions envisions each person as an ambassador who creates as well as transmits knowledge, who promotes authentic dialogue at all levels of society, and who inspires others to do the same. By adopting participatory models of education, schools become centers of investigation, students engage more deeply in their studies, and communities achieve higher levels of self-determination.

Here are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions.

What is an Earth Expeditions course?

Earth Expeditions courses are 7 graduate credit hour (5 credit Summer Term courses + 2 credit Fall Semester courses) online courses that combine direct global study experiences in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas with engagement in Dragonfly Workshops’ web-based learning community. Courses typically run from April through mid-December, with the international field “in-country” portion of each class typically lasting 9-10 days.

What are the travel dates for Earth Expeditions courses? How long does the travel portion of each course last?

The field portion of each Earth Expeditions course lasts 9 or 10 days. Students traveling long distances should plan to add an addition 1 or 2 days of travel to this timeframe.

View our planned 2025 Earth Expeditions dates. Please note that the dates are subject to change at any given time.

Will this Earth Expeditions class count toward my teaching licensure/certification?

It depends. Each state has different requirements for certification. Please check with your state’s Department of Education or your local university’s College of Education or similar department to find out the details for your area.

Is financial aid available?

To support involvement by a broad range of individuals worldwide, Miami University currently offers a reduced tuition rate for all Dragonfly classes. We recommend that accepted applicants check with their employer to see if professional development funds are available to further offset costs; please also visit Helping to Fund your Degree and Scholarships for Current Dragonfly Students for additional suggestions. Federal financial aid may be available to degree-seeking students; please visit Project Dragonfly Financial Aid Information for details.