Bahamas News

One of Coastal Carolina Universitys many study-abroad opportunities allows students a chance to get field experience in shark biology at the Bimini Biological Field Station in the Bahamas.

Students on the trip, hosted by CCU’s Marine Biology Department, will experience personal encounters with several species of sharks.

They also will participate in lectures, discussions, analysis of research papers, frequent field trips and video presentations.

This trip places an emphasis on sharks with lectures focusing on the “broad aspects of shark biology, including: diversity, evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, fisheries, captive biology, conservation, and biomedical uses,” according to CCU’s study-abroad Web site.

This year’s trip, from May 8-16, will involve 25 people, including marine science professor Daniel Abel.

Abel, a marine biologist, focuses his research on understanding the ecology of sharks and stingrays along the S.C. coast.

Sabrina Albrecht, a marine biology major, said she is attending the trip “to become more knowledgeable about shark biology and shark conservation in their natural habitat.”

Albrecht is especially excited because while on the trip the students will have the opportunity to “meet the most influential shark experts of the world.”

The Bimini study abroad trip is one of 16 programs that CCU students can participate in for around $2,000.

Each trip is hosted by a professor within that department along with occasional graduate students.

Locations include Australia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Lauren Brajer, a communication major, considers studying abroad “essential for all departments in order to have an open opportunity to study overseas.”

John Graham, a finance major, said the study-abroad program is necessary to “better understand different cultures and its people.”

The program is “a great idea, which provides students with hands-on learning instead of just sitting at a desk and listening to lectures,” said Aldrit Konda, a political science major.