Information for term Mediterranean Marine Ecosystems & Sustainability
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenFrom the island paradise of Mallorca, explore marine environments and see up close the rich underwater life of the Mediterranean Sea.
Teeming with biodiversity, the Mediterranean Sea supports more than 17,000 different species, making magnificent Mallorca in the western Mediterranean a special place to focus on sustainability. Here, where Marine Protected Areas abound, you’ll learn firsthand about marine organisms and their interactions with coastal and marine ecosystems.
Engage with expert ecologists and biologists in class, in the lab, and in the field as you observe nature, inventory species, and monitor habitats. In the process, you’ll discover key species under threat from marine pollution and human activity—and how to make a difference.
There’s also plenty of time to get out on the water and in! Swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard–do it all and play beach volleyball, too. Immerse yourself in island life and Mallorquin culture through your homestay and meet-ups with local teens. Take in the sights from the medieval Bellver Castle with its beautiful bird’s-eye view of Palma to the colorful Olivar Market to the Es Baluard contemporary art museum. And don’t miss the homemade almond ice cream at Palma’s 300-year-old café!
Follow our Travels:
The Take-Aways
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REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Take on the skills of a marine biologist observing and inventorying species in marine environments. See firsthand biodiversity and marine ecosystem threats. Come home ready to make a difference in the sustainability of local ecosystems.
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CREDENTIALS FOR YOUR FUTURE
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a portfolio and poster showcasing your Project on a marine biodiversity and sustainability topic, and service learning hours documenting your engagement with the community.
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LIFE SKILLS AND NEW FRIENDSHIPS
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication skills. Enjoy a broader worldview and friends of different backgrounds from across the U.S.
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HOURS OF EXPERT INSTRUCTION
45 -
HOURS OF SERVICE LEARNING
12 -
LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
1
Location & Culture
Click to Open
The Destination
Welcome to Mallorca, a tourism hot spot known for dramatic landscapes and crystal blue waters.
It’s easy to fall in love with this stunning Balearic Island off the east coast of Spain. You can wander in any direction and be mesmerized by scenic coves, exquisite limestone mountains, luscious greenery, and a sea so clear that you can see the grains of sand at the bottom of the sea.
The capital, Palma de Mallorca, known as the “pearl of the Mediterranean,” bustles with tourism and commerce today. Here you’ll experience the spirited vibe and Mediterranean flair of streets filled with stylish boutiques, quirky shops, art galleries, and artisanal bakeries. Most restaurants spill out onto pedestrian streets buzzing with families enjoying their evenings together.
Founded by the Romans in 123 BC, Palma has been a crossroads of cultures throughout history. Its rich Islamic past is still evident within the Casco antiguo, or Old Town, which also boasts Gothic structures from the Middle Ages and many hidden treasures, small museums, courtyards, and even an 800-year-old olive tree! Be sure to take a picture there of the tallest Gothic structure in Europe—La Seu cathedral.
CULTURAL AWARENESS
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Palma de Mallorca.
Daily Life
Click to OpenDaily Life
Monday–Friday
Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.
- Breakfast at the homestay
- Hands-on classes with expert instructors, ecologists, and marine biologists
- Bagged lunch in the study center or in the field
- Outdoor activities, community service, or cultural activities
- Dinner at the homestay
Weekends
- Overnight or day excursions to top destinations
- Quality time with friends and everyone at your homestay
Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program.
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Carefully-screened homestay
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1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff
Weekly Learning Goals
WEEK 1
Click to OpenSettle into your homestay. Study marine organisms (plankton and algae) and select a Mediterranean coastal ecosystem to assess with a SWOT analysis in the Aula de la Mar lab. Conduct field work in the wetlands of S’Albufereta National Park, inventory bird species, and upload group findings to seawatchers.net.
WEEK 2
Click to OpenStudy marine organisms (vertebrates, invertebrates, seagrasess, algae) and then inventory species in field work at Mondragó and Dragonera Natural Parks. Investigate the human impact on marine environments. In small groups, select a topic for a Project on protecting marine biodiversity.
WEEK 3
Click to OpenAnalyze data and draw conclusions about the human impact on marine life and ecosystems. Conduct more field work on the uninhabited island of Cabrera. Consider your class, lab, and field work to finalize your Project and present it to your group.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Activities
Click to OpenSample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Overnight at a campground between the mountains and the sea. Enjoy magnificent views as you maneuver down a rocky path to the remote, natural beach of Coll Baix. Snorkel and swim, kayak and paddleboard. Then sail back in a private catamaran.
- Travel back to the 14th century when you explore the unique circular Bellver Castle. Then climb to the top for sweeping views of Palma, the harbor, the sea, and the Tramuntana mountains.
- Dive into the blue water of Cabrera National Park and watch the colorful fish dance with you in the waves. Who knows? You might also encounter an inquisitive octopus.
- Take a boat ride to the uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera, swarming with Lilford’s wall lizards. These reptiles look like miniature dragons and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
- Compete in a scavenger hunt in Palma’s historic Olivar market. Practice your Spanish with the vendors and feast your eyes on all the delicious Mallorquin produce.
Dates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
ELIGIBILITY
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
- This program involves engaging in moderate- to high-intensity physical activities, such as hiking, boating, and snorkeling.
- Ability to comfortably swim, as program is centered around the sea.
APPLICATION FEE
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Session I 2023 3 weeks | May 2, 2023 | Jun 18, 2023 | Jul 8, 2023 |
$5,650 |
| Summer Session II 2023 3 weeks | May 16, 2023 | Jul 9, 2023 | Jul 29, 2023 |
$5,650 |
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Antonia Ferriol, PhD
Center Director
Antonia brings great passion for teaching, emotional competence studies, and study abroad, having taught Spanish language, literature, film, and intercultural communication.
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Hannah Hall
Program Coordinator
Hannah Hall is from Boulder, Colorado. She moved to Spain in 2011 after graduating from Arizona State University. She has worked with CIEE Palma since 2018 as the Program Coordinator for Language & Culture, and Global Discovery.
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Beatriz Torres-Hansjosten
Biology Professor
Beatriz earned her degree in Biology at the Universidad de La Laguna (ULL) specializing in Marine Biology. She is a Certified Yoga Instructor. She teaches for CIEE since 2018.
Ready to change your life?
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