Author: Jonathan Ivey | Major: Data Science and Math | Semester: January Intercession 2025

In January 2025, I spent two weeks studying abroad in the Galapagos Islands. My program was a faculty-led experience called Galapagos: Exploring Darwin’s Legacy. The idea was to understand the ecology and conservation efforts of the Galapagos Islands as well as the scientific process that Charles Darwin conducted during his famous journey. I was interested in this program because I want to pursue a career in research, and it was an opportunity to learn about a groundbreaking discovery in its historical and geographic contexts.

We began our program traveling through Quito, Ecuador, and landing in Santa Cruz (the most populous island in the Galapagos). I was immediately surprised by the thorough ecological protection standards. Our bags had to go through x-ray machines to check for organic materials (like seeds, nuts, and fruit) that might have a negative impact on the environment. They also had to be reinspected going between islands to ensure that we were not transferring organic materials. That effort extended to daily life on the islands. There were limits on light and water usage; most drinks were in glass bottles instead of plastic (even Gatorade), and throughout the experience, I did not see a single piece of litter or trash left behind.

These conservation efforts not only enable scientists to effectively study the area, but they also allowed us to see the island species in many of the same ways that Darwin did. We saw giant tortoises eating and reproducing in the wild, walked through caves created by lava flows, and hiked up a volcano. One of the most fun experiences was staying on Floreana Island for two nights. Floreana has a population of only 160 people. While we were there, we stayed in small housing units, ate community meals, and learned about how the geographic challenges of the islands shaped their settlement and lifestyles. My personal favorite experience was hiking to a cove on Floreana where I learned to snorkel and swam with sea turtles.

Traveling to the Galapagos taught me a lot about life and culture, but I was especially grateful for what it taught me about research. In this program I learned about Darwin’s very long journey, and I was surprised to hear that he did not have a sudden revelation that led to his most important findings. Instead, he trekked through the islands collecting specimens and noting discrepancies with the current scientific theories as an afterthought. He is most famous for his finches and giant tortoises, but in fact, Darwin originally had no interest in ornithology and gave the finches to other scientists for identification. He did not collect a single tortoise specimen, preferring to use them for food sources before disposing of their shells in the ocean.

Darwin had been misled by common scientific understanding and the historical records of the islands from privateer naturalists. It was not until Darwin returned to England and collaborated with other scientists like John Gould and Joseph Hooker that he was able to form his groundbreaking theory. Seeing that firsthand reminded me of the true nature of discovery. Most great findings are not “eureka moments.” Instead, they are consistent, concentrated efforts buttressed by collaboration and thorough data collection. As I go on to make discoveries in my career, I will treasure this lesson that I learned in the Galapagos Islands.