When choosing to study abroad, most college students head to Europe. But 13 Adelphi students, who opted to explore Australia鈥檚 coral reefs, rainforests and dynamic culture, had the experience of a lifetime.13 biology and environmental studies and sciences students chose a slightly different path13
When most college students plan a study abroad trip, they picture sipping espresso in Italy or riding trains through Europe. But this summer, 13 biology and environmental studies and sciences students chose a slightly different path: wading into the Great Barrier Reef, encountering giant hand-sized spiders and spotting the world鈥檚 most dangerous bird.
Students spotted a rare cassowary鈥攖he world鈥檚 most dangerous bird鈥攊n the Daintree Rainforest. The cassowary, although normally shy, can stand up to six feet tall and attack with dagger-like claws.
Led by biology and environmental studies and sciences faculty Aaren Freeman, PhD, Matthias Foellmer, PhD, and Elizabeth Buccheri, PhD, the group embarked on a two-week, hands-on expedition across Australia鈥檚 wild ecosystems鈥攅arning 2 course credits while having the trip of a lifetime.
Marine Ecology, Biology Research and Snorkeling
The adventure started long before takeoff. During the spring semester, students prepped by learning about marine ecology, practicing their snorkeling skills (with two students even getting SCUBA certified), and drafting their own research plans.
Then came the real world.
鈥淪ome had cogent plans, but when they arrived and put their faces in the water, what we thought would be there just wasn鈥檛 there,鈥� Dr. Freeman recalled. 鈥淎dapting to the differences between planning a research project and the reality of conducting that research was an important field experience take-home academic lesson.鈥�
(From left) Adelphi students Chelsea Javier, Ryan Will and Audrey Cozine after a day of scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. Students spent up to two hours a day in the water, observing coral atolls and marine wildlife.
Sharks, Giant Spiders and 鈥淚ndiana Jones鈥� Moments
Base camp for the marine portion of the trip was the Heron Island Research Station, right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Students spent up to two hours a day in the water, swimming alongside sharks, stingrays and skates.
Adelphi student John DelCarpine enjoys a gondola high above a eucalyptus forest.
They also witnessed firsthand the harsh impact of climate change and coral bleaching on the 1,400-mile-long Great Barrier Reef鈥攁 sobering reminder of the planet鈥檚 fragility.
On this visit, Dr. Freeman, was pleasantly surprised at the corals鈥� resilience. 鈥淚 remain hopeful,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 not Pollyanna, the reefs aren鈥檛 really doing fine.鈥�
When the group explored the ancient Daintree Rainforest, things were even wilder:
- The Cassowary: Students spotted the notoriously elusive鈥攁nd notoriously powerful鈥攃assowary, officially ranked by the Library of Congress as the world鈥檚 most dangerous bird.
- The Spiders: Guided by Dr. Foellmer (a terrestrial biologist and insect expert), the team navigated terrain packed with massive arachnids. 鈥淚 had many interactions with big hairy spiders about the size of my hand,鈥� Dr. Freeman recalled. 鈥淥ne web ended up on my back 鈥攚ith a four-inch spider on it鈥攁nd made me feel like Indiana Jones. Yet, these spiders were harmless.鈥�
- Canopy Views: The crew even hit the hinterlands, riding a gondola high above the canopy of a eucalyptus forest.
Beyond the Lab: Deep Diving Into Culture
It wasn鈥檛 all data collection and dodging wildlife. The group spent half a day in Mossman Gorge led by an Aboriginal guide, learning about sacred forests, traditional medicines and ancient toolmaking. Stops in Cairns and Brisbane introduced students to Australia鈥檚 vibrant city life and its incredible, Asia-influenced food scene.
For Dr. Buccheri, this kind of trip is full circle. She actually went on Adelphi鈥檚 2017 Australia trip as an undergrad, which inspired her to move to Australia, earn her master鈥檚 and PhD in reef ecology, and eventually return to Adelphi to teach.
Dining alfresco in the Daintree Rainforest, the world鈥檚 oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest.
Expert Faculty as Australia Guides
Students benefitted not only from their professors鈥� individual scientific expertise, but also from their experience and knowledge of Australia and the climate change challenges facing its ecologically diverse reefs and rainforests, reflecting Adelphi鈥檚 commitment to sustainability.
鈥淓ach of us has our own area of expertise,鈥� explained Dr. Freeman, a marine ecologist and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences. In 2010, he and Dr. Foellmer, a terrestrial biologist and chair of the Department of Biology, took the first group of Adelphi students to Australia. This year鈥檚 was their sixth such trip.
According to Dr. Freeman, adjunct biology professor Dr. Buccheri鈥檚 experience as a student on Adelphi鈥檚 2017 Australian alternative break trip was life-changing, as it inspired her to gain expertise in reef ecology and reproductive biology by earning master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in Australia. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a great success story,鈥� he said.
Front left: Professor Matthais Foellmer, PhD, one of three professors serving as a guide, photographs wildlife along the Daintree River.
Next Australian Trek: 2028
For these 13 biology students, the trip was a massive eye-opener. As one student put it: 鈥淚t will leave such an amazing impact on your life. You鈥檒l want to go back as soon as you get home.鈥�
Dr. Freeman and the department are already planning their next Australian trek for 2028. The Great Barrier Reef, the Milky Way in a clear night sky and a few friendly sharks are waiting.
Students and their Adelphi professors gather at sunset after a day of exploring coral atolls around Heron Island Research Station.