Students who participated in this travel course with Prof. Ahearn and Prof. Truitt had an opportunity to experience service learning in the poor areas of Manila, Philippines, and to study coral reef ecology in the island of Mindoro, Philippines. The Philippines is a nation of over 80 million people and includes 7000 islands and 80 local languages. Since English is the language of instruction in schools, it is the 3rd largest English-speaking country in the world. Filipino culture has an Asian foundation, but has been modified by 3 centuries of Spanish and American colonial rule. Students will talk about their experience studying the diverse Philippines ecology on the island of Mindoro including volcanoes, rain forests, beaches, and one of the world’s most diverse coral reef systems. They will also discuss their engagement in service learning in Manila, where they worked with the homeless residents of Manila’s North Cemetery and the families who live by scavenging at a dumpsite in Bulacan. Nursing students who participated in this course will talk about their clinical experience in a hospital in Manila and at a rural clinic. **SUSTAINABILITY CREDIT**
