Since 1979, Wildlands Studies has provided international environmental field courses for undergraduate students focused on ecology, botany, wildlife research practices, field survey methods, and the relationship of cultures and their surrounding environment. We bring students into direct contact with diverse ecosystems and local communities to address today’s pressing environmental issues. With the outdoors and environment as our classroom, our immersive, field-based programs run every academic term—summer, fall, winter, and spring—in key locations across the globe, offering a hands-on education that’s rooted in ecological understanding and personal engagement. Each program is designed to blend rigorous academics with real-world application, allowing students to earn university credit while learning about important conservation concerns and gaining first hand field experience in global environments.

We are inspired by wildlife and wildlands.

We believe that connecting to the beauty and complexity of the natural world fulfills a basic human need—one tied to both our heart and heritage. Our work is built on the belief that time spent in wild places has a transformative impact, shaping not only how we understand the environment but also how we understand ourselves.

We teach in small teams.

The students who participate in our programs are as diverse as the programs themselves. They tend to be undergraduates looking to gain firsthand knowledge of our wildlands while earning credit toward their degrees. They’re scholars and adventurers aiming to build their resumes to improve their credentials for graduate school or a job.

Each program brings together 9–16 students and one experienced faculty member. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, we foster close mentorship, collaborative learning, and shared daily responsibilities. We believe small teams are best suited for sharing energy, responsibilities and discoveries that build a strong learning community, rich conversation, and deep personal growth.

We put the adventure into learning.

When we say “learning adventure,” we mean it. Our programs include a mix of formal instruction and spontaneous exploration—backcountry hikes, wildlife surveys, visits with local experts, and participation in cultural events. Students learn through doing, and the immediacy of field learning often sparks a renewed excitement for knowledge that lasts long after the program ends.

We cultivate global citizens.

Students leave our programs with a broader global view. Living and studying in another country provides an eye opening and life changing perspective on culture. Students learn skills for collaboration, reflection, sharing and mutual respect—each of which is a valuable life skill that transcends career choices and contributes to greater confidence and maturity.

We rise to the challenge.

Our programs occur entirely in the field, and while there is time for solitude and relaxation, they are not vacations. Fieldwork sometimes means long days and uphill trails in not always ideal weather. At times, research can be frustrating, repetitious, or just plain hard work. But it’s also deeply rewarding. Students face these challenges together, building resilience, confidence, and a lasting bond with the land and each other.