From snorkeling surveys to hands-on shark research, Katie Vyhnal (IES Abroad Galápagos Islands | Fall 2023 | Occidental College) recalls her IES Abroad experience that helped shape her path as a marine scientist. Today, that same curiosity and confidence have granted her a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship conducting environmental research in Malaysia. Read on and watch the video for Katie’s personal reflections, the moments that stayed with her, and the advice she has for students interested in research and fellowships such as Fulbright.
IES Abroad: Tell us briefly about your IES Abroad experience.
Katie Vyhnal (KV): I did IES Abroad in Quito, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands during the fall semester, where I was enrolled in the marine ecology course. One of the main reasons I chose marine ecology was because of the fieldwork aspect. I was interested in exploring marine science more, since my undergraduate experience had been more focused on terrestrial ecology and biology. It was an opportunity to try something new and push myself out of my comfort zone.
The course was really integrated with fieldwork. We did a lot of scuba diving, snorkeling, and field trips, which was a really exciting part of the experience. The class did a great job of incorporating our immediate surroundings in the Galápagos Islands. We learned about the interconnectedness of the systems, the people who rely on the environment, and the ecology of the place. It felt special to have the course created so thoughtfully around where we were, and to explore it by fin, foot, and boat. I look back on the experience very fondly and miss the field experiences and trips.
IES Abroad: Were there any moments in the Galápagos that you’ll always remember?
KV: One of the first fieldwork projects we did was an independent research project. My group chose to do a snorkeling survey of damselfish to see how they reacted to external stimuli, since they are very territorial. We snorkeled in a small cove, disrupted the fish by placing objects near their nests, and recorded their reactions. It was a fun and sometimes challenging fieldwork experience.
My favorite fieldwork experience was a juvenile shark population survey, where we sampled a shallow beach for baby sharks. We caught baby sharks, measured them, and watched our professor tag and release them. It was very hands-on and memorable. There were so many moments, but those were two of my favorites.
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IES Abroad: What about your time in the Galápagos inspired you to pursue a Fulbright Scholarship?
KV: My time in the Galápagos inspired my desire to apply for a Fulbright because it was such a positive experience, even with its challenges. It made me want to find that again in a new way and take another step further. Traveling abroad and doing research abroad really appealed to me, and Fulbright felt like one avenue to make that possible again.
I was trying to emulate what I experienced during my study abroad semester by pushing myself further out of my comfort zone. That is what I have been finding in my Fulbright experience so far. What I have sought, I have found.
IES Abroad: What advice would you give students interested in research or fellowships about studying abroad?
KV: It may not meet your expectations the way you imagine. It is natural to have expectations, but being flexible with them is important. Things will change along the way, you will change, your project will change, challenges will arise, and new directions will come from that.
Having a looser attachment to expectations is valuable and difficult. It is easy to give this advice and hard to follow it. The experience will be wonderful, difficult, and unpredictable. Being open to letting it run its course rather than holding tightly to preconceived expectations is a valuable way to approach it.
Watch the full video here to learn more how Katie's experience abroad paved the way to her Fulbright Scholarship.
Check out all of our Alumni Spotlights to see real examples of how study abroad changed the lives and careers of our past students.
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