Programs | Summer Programs |Spring Programs | French Polynesia

The Program

In the Southern Pacific, the territory of French Polynesia covers an area greater than that of the European Union, but only 0.1% of it consists of land. Due in part to its isolation, this vast expense of water is among the best preserved on the planet and attracts sea-loving tourists hoping to meet face-to-face with rays, turtles, sharks, dolphins and even humpback whales that come for breeding every July.

Descending from skilled navigators who settled across the whole Pacific, Polynesian people inhabit these environmentally dynamic small volcanic islands or atolls and hold a deep connection to the ocean around them. These are a people profoundly linked to the adjacent coral reefs that provide food, revenue and shoreline protection.

Despite the growing pressure of urbanization, tourism and overfishing, the coral reefs of French Polynesia have seemed to be resilient and robust. However, the acceleration of global warming will ultimately endanger the balance of these ecosystems. Immediate responses are necessary, requiring scientists, indigenous people, managers, and stakeholders to find ways to conserve the reefs' spectacular biodiversity and allow the sustainable use of French Polynesia’s local resources.

As a team, we will investigate the picture-perfect islands of Tahiti and Moorea to study their rich tropical ecosystems and understand the long-term biological and physical trends induced by a now rapidly changing environment. With our primary focus on coral reefs, we will snorkel lagoons to examine how warmer seawater, ocean acidification, pollution, and rising sea levels alter the marine environment. We will also discover how local communities interact with the reef and the impact of local fisheries.

With a marine focus established, we will turn our attention to the connected watersheds and their conservation concerns. Our team will explore streams where only few species live, with a part of their life cycle spent in the ocean, threatened by artificialization and sediment extraction. We will also hike in the rainforest inland, where interventions are needed to protect native fauna and flora from invasive species. Through interactions with various local activists, scientists, and stakeholders, we will examine the current movement to restore critical ecosystems and hope to assist in research and conservation efforts to ensure these ecosystems can adapt to the global changes in motion.

Students will become skilled at identifying the organisms and features that characterize the wondrous landscape of French Polynesia and learn survey methods to assess different ecological states. Our team will also engage with the rich indigenous culture, under a significant revival, and discover the deep connection that exists between Polynesians and their environment.

Our multi-disciplinary approach will allow students to learn key field research skills designed to support the environmental sustainability of the islands. Students will gain a deep understanding of marine ecosystems, climate change and approaches to solving complex, social-ecological challenges. This program provides a rare opportunity to study coral reef ecosystems that have defied the odds of a threatened climate and learn about what challenges are likely to occur first.

Stories From the Field

Payton Curley

French Polynesia 2024 Student

“My time with Wildlands was nothing short of unforgettable. As an environmental science major who grew up in a mountain town, I already had a deep appreciation for the natural world — but my six weeks with the program added invaluable wisdom to both my knowledge and overall perspective.

We snorkeled (a lot), taking in vibrant coral reefs, countless fish species, and coastal plant life. We hiked through mountains, observing the flora and fauna of both terrestrial and freshwater environments. We took exams in grocery stores and completed assignments nestled in the sand. We participated in beach cleanups, worked with local students, and heard from local NGOs and research stations. We witnessed firsthand the impacts of tourism and climate change on the reef systems. And perhaps most meaningfully, I spent every waking moment with the same 11 people — who quickly became close friends.

One thing I particularly valued about the experience was the comprehensive scope of both the content and skill-building. There was a strong cultural element, in which we explored indigenous language and history, with navigation as a major theme. We discussed how indigenous perspectives are essential in addressing climate change. We also developed technical skills like designing and conducting research projects, alongside soft skills like public speaking and networking. We were encouraged to take initiative and engage thoughtfully with guest speakers and organizations — to ask meaningful questions and connect. With a PhD instructor at our complete disposal, curiosity truly flourished. It was thought-provoking, discussion-based, collaborative, but also technical and experimental.

I came away with new knowledge, lasting friendships, and a collection of experiences I never could have imagined. This program is truly unlike any other study abroad opportunity and I cannot recommend it enough.”

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Program Photo Gallery

Nans Bujan

Lead Instructor

PhD in Coastal Oceanography, Montpellier University, France, 2009

Nans is a physical oceanographer interested in the management and dynamics of coastal systems. His focus is on waves and currents near the beach, using a mix of field investigation and numerical modeling. He settled in Asia, and later Taiwan where he currently resides, after a canoeing journey along the Mekong River. He is presently working on internal waves, morphodynamics, and the impact of extreme typhoon-generated waves on the shores of Taiwan. Nans has led our French Polynesia Program since Summer 2022.