Brazil Primate Field School

Jordan Finch Start Date: Apr 4, 2018 - End Date: Aug 3, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Intern Abroad
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil

My Travel Story

by: Jordan Finch Start Date: Apr 4, 2018 - End Date: Aug 3, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Intern Abroad
  • Study/Degree Abroad
I am raising money to fund a month-long research project/trip to Brazil this upcoming summer that involves a partnership between the University of Illinois and the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil. Currently, I am one semester away from finishing up my BA in Anthropology at San Diego State University. So far, I have been fortunate to be involved in internships and field-school experiences related to my studies that were of no cost. This opportunity is important to me as it regards a subject I am passionate about and feel honored to be one of 14 individuals selected to participate internationally. Working part-time to cover tuition costs and living expenses can only get me so far so I have turned to various fundraising strategies for some support!

The program involves studying primate ecology via field observations of the common marmoset in the forests of Northeastern Brazil. The research done will lend information into understanding the behavior, activity patterns, and societal organizations of this group of primates as our field observations will be made tangible in the form of a scientific report on our findings at the end of the month. Another aspect of the program is education on sustainable research techniques, and efforts for sustainability and conservation in order to better preserve these threatened biological resources. Of course, also involved, is exposure to the culture, people, and history of Brazil through day-trips around the city and various seminars and lectures throughout the month.

I am passionate about this opportunity for several reasons. I intend to incorporate sustainability and conservation into my future career and would like to involve myself in various hands-on experiences related to the anthropological discipline. I also believe these experiences will better help me zero-in on what exactly I would like to do in the future, and will reflect well on upcoming applications for graduate school which I will be applying for within the next year. Overall, I am so grateful to be a part of this exciting program and appreciate contributions of any size!
  • Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil