Robin Schmit

10/31/16
Honors 100 BC
Assignment 3
Experiential Learning for Lia Koklic
In my interview with Lia, she mentioned that she was interested in studying biology of
some kind. She also expressed enthusiasm for studying French. As for experiential learning
options, Lia has already begun a service opportunity (walking dogs), so she doesnt need a
second one of those. She was not particularly interested in leadership-type experiential learning
either, so I focused my search for opportunities on the categories of research and international
engagement.
As far as international engagement goes, since Lia mentioned that she was interested in
French, that was where I started. The UW offers 16 study abroad programs to various locations
in France, including four to Nantes (a city in France that Lia expressed particular interest in.) Of
these four, one was by the Foster School of Business; one was an IES (International Education of
Students) program; one required French 103, and one required French 303. Since Lia is currently
in French 203, the more advanced program seemed the most appropriate for her. This program,
the University of Nantes Exchange, can be done for a semester or an entire year. It is described
as one of the most immersive French study abroad experiences offered at UW, and offers up to
28 credits per semester. More information can be found at
http://studyabroad.washington.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_I
D=10400
In terms of research, Lia noted that she is particularly interested in marine biology, so I
explored various options in that direction. The UW offers a quarter-long study program at Friday
Harbor Labs, on the San Juan Islands. This program is offered every quarter (including summer),
can be mixed with traditional classes or focused entirely on research, and has options available
for all levels of experience in marine biology. More information can be found at
https://marinebiology.uw.edu/field-stations-ships/friday-harbor-laboratories/plan-a-quarter-atfhl/
There are many other available research opportunities in the field of biology at the UW.
The Undergraduate Research Programs database currently contains 8 opportunities in marine
biology, 30 opportunities in cell/molecular biology, and 9 opportunities in computational
molecular biology, as well as many others in other subfields of biology. Of these many
opportunities, one that seemed reasonably interesting was an analysis of the somatosensory
system of the zebrafish. This program offers a research opportunity requiring little to no prior
experience with research, making it an excellent starting point. More information can be found at
https://expo.uw.edu/expo/opportunities/details/1804