Student Testimonials

From hands-on fieldwork to late-night discussions under starry skies, these testimonials capture the unique spirit and transformative experiences that make UMBS an unforgettable chapter in their education.

Meet UMBS Alumni and peek through their personal photos from their month-long stay at Michigan’s historic field research station in the Northwoods.

The sprawling campus is made up of more than 10,000 forested acres.

Cabins, classrooms and laboratories are tucked along the shores of Douglas Lake in Pellston, about 20 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge.

If you’re a college student anywhere in the world, let these vignettes be your sign to join UMBS for field courses this spring or summer at the paradise of place-based learning.

Our vast campus (the largest of U-M’s campuses!) engages all of the senses. Its remote, natural setting nurtures deep thought and scientific discovery.

UMBS serves as a gathering place to learn from the natural world, advance research and education, and inspire action. We leverage over a century of research and transformative experiences to drive discoveries and solutions to benefit Michigan and beyond.

Dane Rutz

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Bio (Pre-med)
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and General Ecology Lecture

“It was literally one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I met so many cool people and saw so many beautiful places.”

Elise Perez

Institution: Oakland University
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies, and minors in Biology and Studio Art
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: Conservation Biology in Practice and Ethnobotany

“Staying at the Biostation, even for just one semester, was a life-changing experience I am so grateful to have. In addition to making friends and unique experiences, I also carved a path in my academic career. As a medical illustration student, I have a broad range of biology to choose to specialize in, and being able to have these classes while being surrounded in what we're learning is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity which will help me decide what I want to go into after earning my master's degree.”

Tony DiMeglio

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and Political Science
Term: Spring 2024
UMBS Courses: Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands and General Ecology Lab

“My summer at the UM Biological Station was a life changing experience! I learned a lot, I made connections with researchers from across the country, I got to explore a lot of cool habitats in northern Michigan, and I met one of my now closest friends. Ever since I have encouraged every ecologically conscious student to take a summer at UMBS. And every time I drive through northern Michigan, I always have to make a pit stop. Advice for UMBS students I rarely hear is: I encourage students to take advantage of the unique teaching relationship at Bug Camp! Take time talking with the instructors — especially those from other institutions. Unexpectedly for me, these relationships have been some of the most helpful for my present and future career!”

Matt Goodrich

Institution: University of Michigan
Double Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and PitE (Program in the Environment)
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and Field Botany

“Honestly some of the most fun I’ve had in classes, and I’ve actually used some of the material in classes I’m taking now.”

Alex Hoogenstyn

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and General Ecology Lecture

“This was the absolute best way to meet more people at Michigan interested in EEB and the environment in general. Every day was spent in the beautiful northern Michigan outdoors. It was ideal taking classes that limited homework outside of the classroom because free time could be spent hiking, going to trivia, having fake bonfires, stargazing, canoeing, swimming, visiting the bug light at night, and taking Sunday trips to the Upper Peninsula and Sleeping Bear Dunes.”

Dalton Heavy

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

“The best experience I have had at any level of education in my entire life. The classes rewired how I think about learning and interacting with the environment. Outside of class, I made some lifelong friends that still hangout now. I would advise students in the future to make sure to bring excess bug spray and field clothes.”

Lucille Gorbe

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Climate and Meteorology, with a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: Observation and Modeling of Climate Change Biology and Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

“The Biostation is full of so many incredible people, from the peers met in classes to the researchers all around to the staff and faculty of the station. Everyone is crunched up in the cabins, so take time to get to know them, make friends, art, and amazing professional relationships.”

Jordan Knight

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and Art History
Term: Spring 2024
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and General Ecology Lecture

“I absolutely loved the Biostation. To date, it is probably my favorite experience with the university by far. There is just something special about being so immersed in the natural world as you’re learning about it. There’s a bit of magic at the Biostation I think, in both the landscape and the people, and I’d go back in a heartbeat. My advice is to enjoy it! Really be present and take it all in.”

Jaden French

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Earth and Environmental Sciences and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands and Conservation Biology in Practice

“My experience at the Bio Station was formative. Living with and taking classes alongside other students who are passionate about biology was exciting, and there was a definite sense of community. I would advise future UMBS students to not hesitate to make friends and be open to all different types of people. There can/will be different levels of discomfort, and I encourage future UMBS students to approach this with an open mind. Being outside of my comfort zone helped me identify ways to support and accommodate myself. I would also encourage future UMBS students to enjoy the surrounding environment outside of class. The course load can be overwhelming with only Sundays off, so if you're gonna do nothing at all on a Sunday, do it outside. If you're gonna do something, go somewhere you haven't been (outside).”

Avalon Yuhas

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
Term: Summer 2025
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and Insights From Trees

“As a non-outdoorsy EEB major, I fully expected UMBS to not be my cup of tea, but decided to grab the opportunity to attend while I could nonetheless. I do not regret this decision in the slightest and, in fact, I think the experience I had at the Biostation was both necessary for my growth as an EEB major and my growth as a person. Whether it be interacting with other students of similar interests or attending classes that broadened my understanding of data collection and nature-art-society connections, I can safely say that I was having fun! When you go, just remember that your peers aren't nearly as scary as the size of some of the bugs — you never know when you might meet lifelong friends.”

Nathan Cherney

Institution: University of Michigan
Major: Spanish
Term: Spring 2025
UMBS Courses: General Ecology Lab and Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

“One of the best months of my life because of all the amazing people I met.”