This first week was so incredibly eye-opening to say the least. When I first realized I would be staying at a biological research station, I really didn’t expect it to look how La Selva looks. Upon arrival in the middle of the night on our first night in the country, we were greeted with a rickety bridge high above some body of water below. With only our headlamps and the moonlight above, I had no idea what was far below our feet. We stepped off the bus, and I was sure that our home for the next couple of weeks surely was the fairly well-lit, modern looking building next to the cafeteria. I never pictured having to cross a rickety bridge, hiking through wooded forest, and stepping over what looked like logs, in the middle of the night. That first initial walk was the most “unknown” feeling I have had in a very long time. I had absolutely no clue where my professors were leading us. At every turn, I thought to myself, “our home must be right here”. For what felt like ages, but in reality was only 5-10 minutes, I kept questioning where in the world I was being lead to. One thought occurred to me while on that walk that will stick with me far after the completion of this class and program: “How do you end up being lead into the rainforest with 17 strangers in the middle of the night?” This thought, while now very humorous, will stick with me forever. Upon reflection, it portrays a sense of confidence, curiosity, and bravery, that I didn’t totally understand about myself. Even though I had total trust in those around me and the adventure I was embarking on, that sense of unknown was a new and unique feeling. I hope that after that first night’s walk to our new, mysterious, tree-fort looking home, I have become even more adventurous and willing to try new things or step out of my comfort zone.
With that unknown came all of the many sounds of the forest surrounding me in my new home. I had no idea what was making all of those loud, quiet, soft, sharp, echoing sounds. I had no clue what lied below me, above me, in front of me, and especially not behind me. It was a complete sense of unknown. Waking up that first morning, I learned that a particular fluttering noise actually came from the fluttering of approximately twenty bats that live just outside our new home. That morning I began to understand the surreal environment around me. That first walk to breakfast made me realize what I wanted to study and take away from this program. I was blown away by the pure greenery and biodiversity that surrounded us. Even before our first walk through the rainforest, I knew that I really wanted to learn how to preserve, protect, and appreciate the beauty that was surrounding us. I’ve never seen such a lush forest and the amazing variety of creatures and bugs that were so violently sworming me. I couldn’t wait to begin our first hike into the jungle with it a knowledgeable tour guide. I was ecstatic to begin to learn all of the unknown that was surrounding me that first night. As we took our first few steps into our hike, the greenery around me solidified my wish to be a part in the preservation of the nature around us. The tour guide pointed out just about every organism that was in sight. While I was looking for monkeys and large cats, he was identifying many different bug and insect species. I couldn’t believe how he would quickly point out the tiniest of insects within the forest. After about an hour of our hike, I quickly began to realize how much is actually surrounding us. Never once did I think about the insects and microorganisms that surrounded me, but rather than more “basic” forest animals that we think about. However I quickly realized that so much that lies in the nature around us is so small and goes often unseen. While I don’t necessarily love bugs or insects near me, I quickly began to gain interest in the astonishing variety that surrounded us. With every insect our tour guide identified, I quickly began to gain a new appreciation for the smallest of organisms and even the ugliest spiders that are so critical to the functioning ecosystem that I wish to preserve. So, at every point in which I thought I was beginning to learn about the unknown around me, I was reminded that I truly don’t know what we were getting into, literally. I didn’t know what I was living in. With that, I learned of the tiny leaf cutter ants that were so vital to the functioning ecosystem. I was incredibly fascinated by their ability to carry leaves back to their nest and how this process is vital to the preservation of the beauty around us. Needing a research topic, I thought nothing could be better than learning the effects of climate change through the leaf cutter ants as a great model of what could happen if we as humans do not make an effort to preserve our environment and the nature around us. I also did not know a vast majority of the students whom I would be sharing this remarkable experience with. Despite this, those strangers who were also experiencing the same unknown with me, quickly became friends and fellow students who also wish to learn and protect the unknown around us for the next three weeks. I’m grateful for these students who share the same passion for the environment, as well as the game of euchre. After several meals of getting to know one another, we quickly began to play many games where compliments, insults, and many laughs, were heard. These strangers quickly became friends and I will certainly appreciate everyone’s kindness towards one another. Because of this, I believe that our experience that lies ahead of us will certainly be unforgettable. I am incredibly excited to investigate my research topic and explore more of the unknown that surrounds me in my new home.
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