POTHOLES AND PITFALLS ALONG THE ROAD TO RESEARCH AND STUDYING ABROAD IN HAITI

Since 2008 I have been travelling to Haiti with undergraduate students from Grand Valley State University to engage in service learning and research. The research has focused primarily on understanding groundwater contamination in wells, springs, and surface water sources. Working in Haiti is challenging on many levels including logistics of transporting samples on poor roads, labratory facilities, and consistent power. Despite these challenges my students and I have successfully collected data and published several peer-reviewed papers on water quality, water treatment, deforestation, and other aspects of Haiti's natural resources.

Since 2015, I have attempted to combine research with service learning opportunities for groups of undergraduate students. In the last two years I have led a few dozen students on trips to Haiti. We have installed wells, taught workshops at local libraries, distributed filters, and engaged in "ecotourism" as we learned about the complex nonlinear country that is Haiti. Although these trips are challenging, and initially faced considerable resistance from administration at my university, they have created a space for invaluable learning and research.

Challenges students must overcome to engage in studying abroad in Haiti include multiple languages that are not English, transportation on very poorly maintained roads, inclement weather, political unrest, unreliable power, and sometimes limited water supplies. Despite these challenges it is possible to work, travel, and engage in research with students in Haiti. There are many research problems and data needs that could help Haiti to meet the many challenges they face. It is worth the extra effort needed to explore these fruitful research topics with students.