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Brianna had an amazing time with the Marine Biology trip. The combination ...: “Brianna had an amazing time with the Marine Biology trip. The combination of acedemia and exploration of the area was amazing. The leaders help to form a collaborative team among the students. Brianna is still in contact with all from the trip. They were able to learn and form friendships that will last a life time. We are are already planning for next summer. The leader Danger Dan, Jurrasic Jen, amd Mayhem Maggie) made this a fun learning experience. Each of the students were leaders for a day. When Brianna arrived in the Bahamas, Dan called immediately to let me know she had arrived safely and set up times to be able to talk to Brianna each Saturday. Prior to the trip, throughout the trip, and even now the leaders have emailed and called to discuss details and get feedback. This was an opportunity of a life time and Brianna discusses things from the classroom, dives, and the fun games continually. Brianna learned a lot about the local culture and the students enjoyed a impromtu concert by Esau a local resident. We would recommend Broadreach to all. ”— Armotta P
This was a fantastic opportunity for our daughter. It has cemented the ...: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our daughter. It has cemented the path that she wants to take for college. After this trip she knows for sure the direction that she is headed. During college application essays when they ask what was the most life-changing even in her life, she responds her broadreach trip and easily writes all of the reasons why. She came home more confident and absolutely driven to accomplish her life goal to go into marine biology. I would send her all over again.”— Julie A
I sent my son on this trip to see if marine biology was really what he ...: “I sent my son on this trip to see if marine biology was really what he wanted to study in college (he has said so since he was 6). This trip has just increased his desire ten-fold. He had a wonderful time and is now trying to save towards another Broadreach trip. I think the trip has helped him become more responsible for himself as he needed to be self-motivated towards the academics. As for making friends, a resounding YES! With all the different social media outlets it is very easy for them to maintain contact allowing the friendships to continue. They are already trying to plan a reunion trip next summer. He has had nothing but wonderful things to say about all of the staff and it was nice for him to be able to ask about different paths of study and careers from people who have the same interests and have been or are going through it now. Before he left, his mom and I were concerned about the minimal communication that is allowed during the trip, however the near daily journal entries and accompanying photos put our minds at ease as it was plain to see how much he was enjoying himself. If you are considering a Broadreach trip my advice is to consider it no longer; sign up today!”— Kelly R
This trip was the most amazing three weeks of my life. I met great people ...: “This trip was the most amazing three weeks of my life. I met great people and forged lasting friendships. And I got to learn how to save the oceans: all while having a blast!”— Lauren C (age 18)
I did not know what to expect from this trip and whether I would have ...: “I did not know what to expect from this trip and whether I would have as much fun as website testimonials insisted I would. Reflecting on the trip now, any questions seem ridiculous. I have made lifelong friends, learned more than I ever thought I would, and loved my counselors. Some of my favorite parts of this trip were going cave exploring, seeing sea turtles and hammerhead sharks, riding in the back of trucks to different dive sites, and the food!! I had the time of my life!”— Emery K (age 18)
Broadreach is an amazing program that allows you to do things you would ...: “Broadreach is an amazing program that allows you to do things you would not do if you were just on vacation. The academics related to the activities and places we went and made learning easy. The lectures also help you learn about all kinds of creatures and appreciate the ocean and its offerings so much more.”— Melissa B (age 17)
The underwater combination of academic marine studies with advanced dive ...: “The underwater combination of academic marine studies with advanced dive certifications offered a perfect fun, exciting and educational mix for my son, and being responsible for his own maintenance and equipment among peers and away from his parents and family was a very positive growth experience. Having just returned home, my son still glows, and is excited to describe both diving experiences, instructor enthusiasm and group camaraderie. Thanks.”— Shelley A from Asheville, NC
Thanks for the opportunity to take our son beyond the familiar. It was ...: “Thanks for the opportunity to take our son beyond the familiar. It was the trip of a lifetime with new friends that truly feel like family. Based in large part on last year’s and this year’s trips, he has become increasingly sure that he plans to make marine biology his life's work. Broadreach’s trips are wonderful, challenging, safe experiences that foster lifetime friendships, develop career interests and build self confidence. We were very impressed with work that Tyler accomplished while at the Gerace Research Center.”— Diana A from Chapel Hill, NC
Trip of a life time an unforgettable experience that I would recommend ...: “Trip of a life time an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone interested in marine biology and scuba diving, I had never dived before this trip and now I want to dive everyday at places like San Salvador island”— Ty B (age 16) from Alberta, Canada
This trip was excellent in every regard. Well planned, plenty of pre-travel ...: “This trip was excellent in every regard. Well planned, plenty of pre-travel support, excellent staff, substantive classes, good kids, an atmosphere of respectful fun. My daughter had a wonderful time, learned tons, and is begging to travel with Broadreach again next year!”— Michael C
My daughter really enjoyed this trip. She was looking for a summer program ...: “My daughter really enjoyed this trip. She was looking for a summer program that was challenging and interesting and did not have the summer camp atmosphere. Scuba diving had to be a part of any summer plans and this Marine Biology course definitely filled that need. There was plenty of diving and opportunity for multiple diving certifications. Safety came first with Broadreach and my daughter felt very comfortable exploring new depths and pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. All three instructors were always enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. The program did everything it said it would do and then some. As parents, we were extremely pleased with how her three weeks were spent and she will definitely go on another Broadreach adventure next summer. ”— Laurie B
This trip is a lot of fun and also very academically sound. Diving all ...: “This trip is a lot of fun and also very academically sound. Diving all the reefs with riding rock was great and snorkeling off north point and by greek key were some of my favorites. The experience is super memorable and I made new friends.”— Theo B (age 18)
The trip was amazing! I learned a ton about conservation and biology. ...: “The trip was amazing! I learned a ton about conservation and biology. I made a bunch of new friends. Favorite activities were diving, the closing ceremonies, the food, and just hanging out with everyone. Seeing sharks up close and learning that they aren't man eating was an eye opener and when I go home I'll probably join a few groups and sign petitions to end shark hunting in the U.S. and shark finning worldwide.”— Ryan S (age 18)
It was an exhilarating experience and I had an awesome time. Some favorite ...: “It was an exhilarating experience and I had an awesome time. Some favorite things on the trip wre the night dive, boat dives, cliff diving, and making new friends. Some other fun things were swimming in the cave, hikes, and snorkeling at a real ship wreck. You learn about teamwork and all about the ocean and its creatures. Learning in a college-like environment was fun and you learn a lot about yourself. This trip had so many more amazing places and activities, and I highly recommend this trip to anyone.”— Adam K (age 18)
I learned so much about the ocean, something beyond the beauty. This ...: “ I learned so much about the ocean, something beyond the beauty. This was hard work but I felt accomplished and totally worthwhile. I’m going back home with new friends, planning a reunion, and also, Bahamian friends.”— Alexandra B (age 18)

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Snehal Sangani

As I am sitting writing this, snugly wrapped up in a woolly jumper and a long scarf drinking hot chocolate, it is pouring outside in a thunderous storm; cold fat raindrops run like tears fast ...

As I am sitting writing this, snugly wrapped up in a woolly jumper and a long scarf drinking hot chocolate, it is pouring outside in a thunderous storm; cold fat raindrops run like tears fast down the pane. It is at times like these that I wish I were far away from dark dreary London and back in gorgeous Eleuthera, Bahamas, where rain was deliciously warm and infrequent.

This summer I went on Broadreach to Eleuthera, an island in the Bahamas. It was an academic program and although learning marine biology sounded brilliant, I was more excited about the diving because I had only just acquired my Open Water Diver certification and couldn’t wait to dive amongst beautiful coral and incredible fish. I had only dived before in a murky reservoir in England where I had had to wear the most ridiculously loose wetsuit as the water was so cold. In the Bahamas the water is crystal clear and shockingly warm. On the first few days I was completely bowled over by everything - prior to the trip I had just spent a week camping in the mountains of Wales in the most atrocious of weathers so the hot hot Bahamian sun was welcomed most appreciatively, as was the stunning scenery of the island.

I learnt a lot about myself after being put in such unfamiliar surroundings. Usually I love meeting new people and cant stop chattering once started, but for the first week I was intensely quiet and shy. When the others in the group arrived though, excitement overcame my shyness and I soon felt as if I had known everyone for years. Friendships made on the trip are truly strong as you have to live with people and all their quirks for a month. I have to say that I truly miss a lot of my Broadreach friends because you really do tend to bond when you do everything together and share so many experiences. Every day something reminds me of someone on the trip. “I Will Survive” came on the radio today and I suddenly found myself on one of the morning exercise runs to high rock, for which Ellen, Emily and I would bellow out this song as loud as we could manage whilst running.

Handling new situations, learning new skills and having great experiences has left me with a great sense of achievement. One of the things that will definitely make this summer memorable was that I learnt how to ride a bike. I had never been taught when I was little and I had never learnt because I did not need to. Thankfully, I picked up riding fast after deciding that I didn’t want to walk everywhere and also because my friends and the counsellors were so supportive - they never minded riding slowly alongside me. Impressed upon my mind is the way that everyone helped every one else out, even revising for the mid term and the final was made enjoyable because we all collaborated in devising ingenious ways of remembering information: Purple Cats Are Mating At Every Corner… remember that girls?

Reflecting on the trip has made me realise how many incredible things that I did over the summer, every day led to a new adventure, be it going to Bahamian church or conch fishing. The memory of Bahamian church really makes me smile, the whole experience was sooo fun- Bahamians really know how to sing and they do so with such enthusiasm that is infectious. Although we found it hard to sing so unrestrainedly at first we soon got into the swing of things -Tyler especially. I can’t imagine Bahamian church in any other way. I really loved the whole attitude to life there which was summarised nicely by the title of the number one song while we were there - “No stress, No stress”. Very appropriate!
I am also really amazed at how much I learnt and how much I enjoyed that aspect of the trip - lectures were interesting because it meant that you knew what you were looking at the next time you went diving. Oh the diving! This was definitely the part of the day that I would look forward to the most - every single dive was absolutely amazing. From singing Britney loudly in the chickie boat to the crazy navigation dive where Lisa and I got ridiculously lost, from getting attacked by scary remora to seeing a huge turtle, countless sharks and beautiful fish, it was all such a buzz. The diving on the trip has made me decide that I would like to train as a dive master - I have signed up for the Rescue diver course and I am now saving up for my equipment. I have been inspired in so many ways by the trip. I have become really interested in Environmental Art after learning about it. Coincidentally, the artist we learnt about had an exhibition near me. I have also realised how interesting marine biology is and that I may like to study it later.

Most importantly, I have made many lifelong friends who I shared all of these incredible experiences with, friends with whom I was able to cry as well as laugh with and who I knew I could trust. So as I gaze out into the rain, I am not really that sad, memories keep me happy, and I know that next summer is approaching. Life really is an adventure, however exciting as you want it to be.

Merrill Rudd

I distinctly remember standing on the dock, weighed down by countless pieces of heavy equipment and scared to death. Anxiously looking down at the water, I knew it was too late to turn around. ...

I distinctly remember standing on the dock, weighed down by countless pieces of heavy equipment and scared to death. Anxiously looking down at the water, I knew it was too late to turn around. Letting go of everything that seemed natural and safe, I jumped. After briefly struggling in the waves on the surface of the water, I gulped my last breath and began my descent. The silence was eerie. I looked up towards the sky and panicked. With great hesitation and unease, I took a breath. Surprised by the humming of my exhale and the tickle of bubbles streaming past my face, I realized I was alive. I could breathe underwater.

It’s all about taking chances. My decision to travel to the Bahamas, earn my scuba certification, and take a marine biology course was made on nothing but a whim; a gut instinct. I thought I would love it, but if not, at least I would come home knowing a lot about fish. Of course I loved it.

From the moment I arrived, I was inspired by the community, the feeling of independence, the experience. We probably could have been studying the most banal, dull subjects and I still would have been sucked in by the passion of those around me. This was a community I could not wait to join. Tunicates, coral growth morphologies, and marine crustaceans excited me. I suddenly wanted to be a marine biology nerd.

In connection with my studies, scuba diving allowed me to witness marine ecology firsthand, and I quickly became enthralled with the ocean, the great unknown. Scuba diving became not only my most common daydream and favorite activity, but an academic interest as well. Just as a visit to a museum would be more worthwhile with an understanding of the artists and their styles, my diving has been defined by my knowledge of and curiosity about marine ecology.

I clearly recall arriving at the campus in St. Louis, anxious for what I would find, and with great anticipation and awe. From the beginning of my college search, I have had a strong gut feeling that Washington University is right for me. At the sight of the dignified buildings, lush quads, intertwining walkways, and beaming students, my instinct was confirmed. I am intrigued by programs such as the Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability. From my own experience with scuba diving, I have learned that I am exuberant for what I love and work best when my peers are as enthused. The small group of intellectually excited students with similar interests at Washington University, focusing together and evolving into various majors, is another community I cannot wait to join.

My gut instincts brought me to one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel the same pull towards Washington University in St. Louis. On the verge of discovering who I am and what I will be doing, all my instincts say that Washington University is the right place to find out.

- Merrill Rudd

Kelsey Jacobsen

While the buzzing engines of our eight-passenger plane hummed in my ears, I admired the expanse of perfectly clear blue water and swirling sand ridges far below me. I gazed around at the six ...

While the buzzing engines of our eight-passenger plane hummed in my ears, I admired the expanse of perfectly clear blue water and swirling sand ridges far below me. I gazed around at the six complete strangers seated around me, six of the twenty-two high schoolers I would be spending the next three weeks of my life with. As I regarded each face, I wondered what I would learn from each of these people: where they come from, what they would add to our group and what kind of an impression they would leave for me to take home after our twenty-two days ahead.

This being my third Broadreach trip, I had become accustomed to the apprehensive butterflies one feels when beginning an adventure like the one I was about to become a part of. Traveling alone to a foreign place to live with people you have never met takes courage, but I knew that we would soon overcome our inhibitions and become comfortable with each other. I only hoped that this experience would be half as rewarding as my previous two.

As I expected, our group readily became a close-knit one. From soap fights in the kitchen during dish duty to sharing of clothing to midnight study sessions, we not only became comfortable around each other, but formed a friendly community that everyone was a part of. With such a small group, everybody got to share time with all of the other Broadreachers, whether it was through being dive buddies, bunk bed mates or just chilling in the common room with the warm breeze and Bob Marley playing in the background. Often, I found myself thinking of how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place with so many inspiring individuals, friends that I never would have made if I hadn’t chosen to come on this trip. Even though our group came from a range of drastically different backgrounds, we each brought a little bit of our homes with us to the Island School to form our own dynamic lifestyle.

Along with living in this community, though, came responsibilities. However, whether we realized it or not, these responsibilities were not burdens, but rather chances to learn more about ourselves. During the rotations of leadership within our group members, it was interesting to see everyone’s differing social styles and to think about where my own fit in. Through operating as a team within our motley group of friends, it was interesting to observe how much other people’s personalities blossomed from the beginning of the trip to the end. I feel that mine did the same.

Of course, my experience really has to be credited to our counselors, because they were the ones who really kept the wheels of the trip running. During my time at the beautiful Island School, I learned so much from our five fantastic counselors. Everything from reef ecology and the life cycle of a jellyfish, to pursuing your dreams and living in the moment were covered, whether inside or out of the classroom. I looked up to every one of our instructors, who each had information and stories that they were eager to share. Whether through the five-thirty wake-up nudges before dawn dives or their not-so-hip moves at the dance party in the gazebo, they radiated positive energy. Also, it was great to finally be surrounded by people who, like me, have a strong interest in marine biology. To be able to learn from them in such an ideal environment was a chance I will never see again.

There is no better feeling than to jump from the moist Bahamian heat into the perfectly cool, blue Caribbean water. Like the adventures we had on the ocean’s dry-land counterpart, we could not expect what would happen when plunging head-first into them. However, any expectations were met when we got to see sharks, curious sea turtles, delicate nudibranchs, color-changing octopuses, rays of all kinds and too many other things to mention. There is a certain tranquility to being underwater. With no means of communication besides hand gestures or fruitless attempts to speak through a regulator, everything is silent. Often the most relaxing part of my day was spent beneath the waves.

As our adventure progressed, new experiences awaited our every turn and countless moments were shared, which only continued to bring our group closer. It is these moments, like cliff jumping at night into bio-luminescent waters, chatting in the sun on the back porch of the dorms or playing with a curious remora at a safety stop, that really made our summer together so memorable.

When the day arrived for us to unload our drawers of clothing into our suitcases, scrub the dorms and load into the cars for one last time, the group reminisced about our time spent together. The ride to the tiny airport was a somber one, yet everyone took advantage of our last few hours together by recalling stories from our beloved Island School. We knew that once we returned home, none of our other friends would understand the jokes and memories that we were a part of.

After a teary farewell to our counselors, we boarded the Twin Air jets that would return us to civilization. I watched the island of Eleuthera disappear into the turquoise water and thought about all of the knowledge I now had about the ocean and all of the things in it. For years to come I will appreciate all of the intangible lessons that I learned about in this paradise, which are equally as valuable.

As we walked together through the Fort Lauderdale airport, a smile broke across my face. I remembered the first day, the apprehension and the new faces. As we pushed through the bustle of the terminal corridor, we were no longer twenty-two indifferent strangers with our own agendas, but a group of close friends, walking together.

By Kelsey Jacobsen
MBA2, 2003

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The Parent Paper

Academic Treks is a great option for teens who want to go beyond the world they know and come back with new-found knowledge and respect for other cultures and themselves.

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Bahamas Marine Biology

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