One of the great joys of the Research Station is watching the powerful and diverse experiences had by students during research and educational programs. Students often leave the island seeing themselves, their colleagues, and their environment differently.

“More than anything else, what I take home after a SRIRS trip are the smiles. They aren’t momentary smiles from hearing a joke, looking at a silly meme or watching a sitcom. They are genuine, heart felt, long lasting smiles of wonder and joy. They don’t fade away quickly, but linger on the faces of the people visiting the island.”

– Matthew Williams

“Santa Rosa Island is an amazing place. Anthropology students find the trips out to the SRIRS transformative. Charlie, a student attending our first trip out in September 2013, exemplifies Anthropology’s goals. It was his first time to: travel in a boat, to see the Milky Way, a shooting star, an island fox, a bald eagle, and to undertake archaeological research. We want every Anthropology student to experience the same.”

– Colleen Delaney

“A visit to the island and the station is, by far, one of the most sought out field trips for my students!”

– Jaime Matera

“Given the circumstance we are in today, my experiences on Santa Rosa Island would most likely be the best memory I have in high school.”

– Janelle Judge

“I decided to make space for self-portraits because alike the rest of the island, people are also a part of the natural environment and we must also appreciate ourselves as we are, instead of loathing for what we are not. You can’t get mad at sand for not being grass.”

– Elibet Muñoz

“An island I would fall in love with and return to over and over and over, an island that I am not done returning to.”

– Marisol Villareal

“Visiting Santa Rosa Island has also been full of grounding energy. Perhaps it is the seclusion from the mainland, the lack of wi-fi or simply the company of my peers but Santa Rosa Island has never failed to bring balance back to my priorities.”

– Maria Zuarte

“Most students who have traveled to Santa Rosa Island for this collaboration with CSUCI consider the experience the highlight of their high school career.”

– Wendy Wooten

“The memories I have made on the island will always live in my mind and heart to serve as a motivation and a reminder of my first journey in the real world outside the four corners of a classroom.”

– Janelle Judge

“Every visit I had to the island I brought back more memories and lessons to enrich my everyday life.”

– Daniela V.

“I think the most impactful part of this experience was not the actual work, but instead how I was treated, and the responsibility, I was treated like an adult for the first time and was responsible for myself and getting on time for what I have to do.”

– Stefan P.

“Words cannot begin to express my gratitude to this island and our hosts. Special places attract special people – something magical occurs when they do. The importance of experiential learning, and those that facilitate it can not be understated. The opportunity to hear from and interact with respected experts has brought the classroom to life and influenced my years to come in ways I never thought possible. I leave today inspired, thanks to the collective efforts of those that share my sentiment….I am forever indebted to them, and those that support their contributions giving a confused student direction on this trail of life.”

– Nathan L Hilpert, SRIRS Logbook, Vol 1 2014