While most college students spend their summers interning or working, Jack Jaworski, an anthropology major at Miami University, took a different path. He ventured deep into the Amazon rainforest, exploring the fascinating lives of woolly monkeys.
“I focus on biological anthropology,” Jack explains. “This field studies humanity, and much of it involves understanding primates, our evolutionary relatives.” During his summer at the Tipitini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador, he researched how predation affects woolly monkeys, a topic not widely explored in science.
Jack’s work involved turning to high-tech tools. “To study predator reactions, we played sounds of jaguars and harpy eagles through speakers and filmed how the monkeys responded. It’s tough to capture these moments because predators often scare easily,” he shares. The team even had a creative twist: Jack crawled around wearing a jaguar-print cloth to see how the monkeys would react to a ‘predator’ nearby.
Life in the jungle contrasted sharply with his routine back in Oxford, Ohio. “In the Amazon, it felt like time moved differently. Six weeks there felt like six months,” he says. “It’s hard to explain, but being surrounded by nature makes you appreciate time and the world around you in a new way.”
Upon returning, Jack shared stories with his AEPi brothers, sparking their interest. “They loved seeing my pictures and hearing how I lived,” he recalls. He also brought back a new sense of cleanliness. “In the jungle, if you don’t clean your gear, mold can grow overnight. Now, as house manager, I aim to instill that same level of care in our fraternity house.”
Jack’s experience highlights not just personal growth but also an appreciation for nature. “Being away made me realize how precious life is. I want to carry that energy back to AEPi,” he concludes.
With increasing interest in environmental studies, Jack’s journey reflects a broader trend. According to recent surveys, over 70% of college students express concern about climate change and biodiversity loss. This awareness fuels a growing desire among young adults to engage with and protect the natural world.
If we learn from experiences like Jack’s, we might foster a new generation that values conservation. As more students explore the outdoors and study environmental sciences, we could witness a significant shift toward sustainability in our society.
