We caught up with Lauryn, a Biology BSc student, who turned her passion for travel and academic curiosity into hands-on ecological adventures across South Africa, Croatia, and France.
Can you provide a brief introduction about yourself and what you study, as well as which field trips you went on?
Hi! I’m Lauryn, a Biology BSc student at QMUL. I’ve always had a passion for travel so although I was originally going to study Biochemistry, I switched to Biology as I wanted the opportunity to go on the field trips. As a result, I have now visited Croatia, France and South Africa!
What was the primary focus of each trip?
The trips to Croatia and South Africa were primarily teaching-focused, with our professors delivering presentations and lectures on various ecological techniques and the local ecology.
Croatia emphasized aquatic invertebrates and plant ecology. We were fortunate to learn from local ecologists, who had in-depth knowledge of the area. Techniques like quadrat sampling, kick sampling, and pitfall trapping were used to study vegetation and invertebrates. We even practiced electrofishing, a method for catch-and-release surveys of amphibians.
South Africa focused on large mammals as much of the trip was spent on safari. However, it also explored human impacts on ecology, such as the influence of social dynamics on poaching and the importance of collaboration with local communities for sustainable conservation. We practiced techniques like camera trapping and observed how ecology extends beyond studying natural environments to addressing complex human-environment relationships.
The trip to the French Alps was different because it directly supported my dissertation research. Professor Richard Nichols selected three students to join him in Seyne-les-Alpes, France, to study the hybrid zone of the grasshopper species Podisma pedestris. While the trip was more relaxed compared to the others, we spent significant time hiking through stunning landscapes, catching grasshoppers, and preparing them for laboratory analysis. The teaching style was informal and immersive, with Prof. Nichols giving impromptu lessons during our hikes.
Can you describe some of your most memorable moments from each trip?
For Croatia – visiting Krka National Park was the best day. Some of my closest friends were also on this trip so getting to visit such a beautiful waterfall was a great bonding experience. Whilst at the park, we also got to travel on a boat to carry out some aquatic surveys, using a Secchi disk to measure water transparency. My friends and I also made a great daal when it was our turn to cook for the group.
For South Africa – on our first nighttime safari on the trip we were lucky enough to come across 2 lionesses who had made fresh kills and were tucking into dinner. In a dramatic turn of events, a hyena pack nearby were trying to steal one of the carcasses, and so watching the conflict up close was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. On the same trip, I also got to touch a rhino, a bat, and some lizards. We also found the ever-elusive jaguar during some of our later safaris. This was also an amazing trip for meeting other people on my course and I’ve made some wonderful friends as a result. Some of us entered a bird-watching competition when we got back to London, inspired by the bird-watching in South Africa, which we also won!
For France – hiking with two people you’ve never met before is an excellent way to become quick friends. It was a great environment to foster teamwork and so we learnt how to work together very quickly but also keep up morale when things inevitably got a bit tough on the mountains. Those experiences and subsequent skills have also come in handy now that we’re working in the labs together. Nichols is also an excellent guide for the area and taught us some French so at points, it almost felt like a holiday rather than a field trip (don’t worry, we did work too!). We would go swimming on our days off or head into the small town to eat pastries, it was truly an idyllic 2 weeks in the South of France.
Did you face any unexpected challenges on these trips or learn something surprising?
One of the most surprising challenges was learning how to take effective field notes. While it’s an essential skill, mastering it under the pressure of being assessed during the trip was more difficult than I anticipated. However, I found it incredibly rewarding, and it inspired me to start keeping a personal field book when I travel outside of university—a mix of a journal and scientific notes.
Another challenge was presenting our findings at the end of each trip. Preparing presentations in just a day or two was intimidating, and I struggled at times with feeling underprepared. Fortunately, the professors were very supportive, and the experience helped me improve my ability to prepare presentations under time constraints. On the social side, I initially worried about getting to know new people, but simple things like a pack of playing cards made bonding surprisingly easy!
Did you gain and/or develop new skills or insights because of these trips?
I gained hands-on experience with a range of ecological survey techniques and developed a deeper understanding of the full process of scientific research—from brainstorming and planning fieldwork to collecting samples and analysing them in the lab.
The biggest insight was realizing how much human interaction is involved in conservation. In South Africa, I learned that successful conservation efforts often require collaboration with local communities. Balancing ecological preservation with the needs of people is far more complex than I initially thought, and it’s a perspective I carry with me in my studies and future work.
Did these experiences influence your future academic or career goals?
Absolutely. These field trips gave me invaluable insight into what a career in ecology and conservation involves and have significantly shaped my academic and career aspirations. The hands-on experience with various ecological techniques, from sampling aquatic invertebrates in Croatia to studying large mammals in South Africa, solidified my interest in fieldwork and the practical side of biology. It was fascinating to see how research and conservation efforts come together, and it made me realize the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in solving ecological challenges.
As a result, I am now considering careers that combine ecological research with public engagement, such as environmental consultancy, science communication, or roles within conservation organizations. These experiences have also encouraged me to think about pursuing further studies, such as a master’s in ecology or conservation, to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of this field.
What advice would you give to other students considering similar field opportunities?
My biggest piece of advice is simple: just do it. Commit to the opportunity, even if it feels a little daunting at first. It’s natural to feel nervous about traveling to a new country, especially with people you might not know well, but I promise it’s worth it. The rewards—both personal and academic—far outweigh the initial hesitation. You’ll make incredible memories, gain invaluable experience, and possibly even develop a travel bug that stays with you for life.
Pack light. You really don’t need much—just the essentials. A single backpack is plenty, and the less you bring, the easier it will be to move around and focus on the experience. A camera and a pack of playing cards, however, is worth the space—it’s great for bonding with your group during downtime.
Also, remember to approach the experience with a sense of adventure and an open mind. Field trips aren’t just about academics; they’re about learning in a completely immersive way, meeting new people, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Even if you don’t end up pursuing ecology, the memories and skills you gain will stay with you.
Lastly, don’t limit yourself to just university-organized trips. There are countless opportunities to get involved in fieldwork around the world, often for free or at a low cost if you know where to look. Although I haven’t participated in these yet, I’m planning to explore them after I graduate. What’s great about these is that they’re open to anyone—you don’t have to be studying biology or ecology to get involved.
In the end, the experience is what you make of it. So, take the leap, pack light, and enjoy every moment. You won’t regret it!
To find out more about our Biology and Zoology programmes, please click the links!