For 50 years Glendale Community College has offered a culturally and educationally enriching hands-on learning experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse coastlines. This study abroad program takes place in the Baja California Peninsula, an environment known as the Galapagos of Mexico for its breathtaking islands, tranquil beaches, unique desert ecosystems, and ecological diversity. This experience offers opportunities biannually in either late January or mid-July to spend two weeks living, exploring, and learning in this special environment. “It was a life-changing experience to explore the world around us and understand the world we live in,” said GCC student Melody Pepper of her experience.
The field station is located in the town of Bahía de Los Angeles along the eastern shore of the peninsula. Glendale Community College is one of the few community colleges in the country fortunate enough to have facilities internationally, making this opportunity so exceptional. The program was created in 1974 by faculty member Jose Mercade who wanted students to have the opportunity to immerse themselves into a new culture while engaging with the natural environment. The area’s natural beauty and the extraordinary diversity of life make it the perfect place for students to study and explore, according to the program’s organizers.
Today, the faculty who are continuing the legacy by keeping this opportunity alive deeply value the educational potential of field studies and hands-on learning methods over a traditional classroom structure. They believe it enhances learning and deepens understanding of the topics when students can interact with the learning materials and connect real-life experiences to the class content. Several different courses have been taught at this field station including marine biology, anthropology, astronomy, geology, Spanish, and biology, and new courses such as documentary filming and statistics are projected to become available within this program in the near future. Glendale Community College makes efforts to ensure this program remains affordable so that students from all walks of life have the opportunity to have this experience. Financial aid for students aspiring to join this program is readily available, and many former participants of the program donate to ensure this funding remains available for students who need it.
Biology professor Dr. Maria Kretzmann has directed the program for the last 16 years and has observed how impactful the program has been on all students involved. “I’ve never had a student come back disappointed,” said Kretzmann. She spoke on how special it has been to see the lifelong friendships and relationships as well as a sense of community develop between the students involved. Former participants of the program reminisce fondly about swimming with whale sharks, snorkeling in bioluminescent algae, hiking across islands, and experiencing exotic environments. “In my 17 years teaching at GCC the Baja Program has been the most challenging and rewarding part of my career and I’m grateful to have had this opportunity.” Said Kretzmann. The combination of natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural richness offers students an unforgettable journey of learning and discovery, the organizers emphasized.
The impact of the Baja California study abroad program extends far beyond the classroom, as it fosters not only academic growth but also new perspectives on the world and lifelong connections. Dr. Kretzmann noted that former students have met their spouses in the program and students who partook in the program together decades ago still meet to this day to reminisce about it. “This is a really cool community-building experience that builds long-lasting ties” she shared. The experience of exploring the natural wonders of Baja California often ignites a deep passion in students, inspiring many to pursue careers in biology, research, and education. The program also initiates meaningful cultural exchanges, where students connect with locals some of which have been working in unison with the program for 40 years. Pepper, a former participant, shared how the program left a lasting impression on her: “It’s a great chance to unplug and be a part of the environment you study. Every moment ended up being really memorable.” The opportunity to experience hands-on learning with interactive fieldwork makes this program a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, leaving students with not just new knowledge but deep connections and a new understanding of the world.
Gabrielle Glick can be reached at [email protected].