As our time in Costa Rica is coming to an end, I have been reflecting and thinking about how traveling in seven provinces, staying in five ecotourism lodges, and learning about climate change through various methods of study has changed me as an individual and a student.
In my previous blog I talked about how growth occurs when one goes beyond their comfort zone. And wow did that lesson still pertain to me in Palo Verde. The 50-something hours spent in Palo Verde was a time where I was pushed beyond my boundaries more than I have ever. The relentless swarms of mosquitoes and gnats prevented us from leaving the classroom or dining hall without being covered in bites. It made simple tasks such as using the bathroom, showering, and walking around, nearly impossible. The two days spent in the classroom learning about the depressing reality of climate change was an extremely difficult challenge. I noticed my perspective on life and positivity diminishing due to our discussions about global warming and 6° Celsius temperature change. I never thought I would become okay with seeing cockroaches on my suitcases or scorpions in the bathroom. While our time there sounds all doom and gloom, in reflection the adversity we faced opened windows of gratitude. As I travel back to the United States, I will never take air conditioning, exercising outside, or the comfort of knowing I am not within a five foot vicinity of a tarantula larger than my hand for granted. As Kelly Clarkson once said, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” and I firmly stand by that. I also believed that staying there helped us understand the direct effect global warming is having on biodiversity ecosystems such as Palo Verde.
Besides our time in Palo Verde, glimpses into the lives of many Costa Ricans have allowed me to come to the realization of how fortunate I truly am. I have had amazing and fantastic times here, but some of the moments haven’t been the easiest. These difficult moments only open my paradigm to the aspects of my life I am fortunate enough to have. One of them includes this group of students I have traveled with.
I could honestly write a whole blog about every student on this trip. Everyone is so unique, diverse, and curious in their own way. Never in my life have I run into a room to tell people I saw a tarantula larger than my hand to then see a group of people sprinting to the door to examine it. Everyone’s fascination with all kinds of species has shown me that these creatures are not enemies, they are beings that live amongst us rather than against us. Students on this trip have shown me a world where we care for all beings, including the scary ones, rather than stomping on them. Additionally, the character of everyone on this trip has allowed me to accept the hurdles we face and move on with a greater appreciation of life. When times got hard, my group took things lightly and made a hard situation, well, funny. Sometimes it’s hard to be optimistic when you do not have the comfort amenities you are used to, but I am so thankful to the people I was with who made it easy to see glass-half-full. (Okay side note – but as I was typing this, our bus almost tipped while traversing down a gravel road. People jolted up from their sleep and started laughing.) It’s experiences where you are covered in sweat or where you are five feet away from Costa Rica’s most dangerous snake that make you realize the people around you can really make or break your experience. And for that, I got really lucky.
Along with the amazing folks that have accompanied me during the trip, I have learned a lot about the importance of our education and curriculum within the final days of the trip. During our visit to the organic coffee farm, Life, I took a lot away from their family-run, sustainable, balanced lifestyle, and business. This farm was situated in the hills and valleys of Monte Verde’s mountainous range. The air is significantly cooler, the farm was immersed in clouds and overlooked a stunning view of Monte Verde forest range and the ocean. The view is honestly breathtaking. However, it was not the beauty of the valleys or the smell of the coffee beans, it was the values that this family had that resided with me. The family farm valued collaboration, living among nature, and community, which really struck me as a way to live sustainably in the future. Compared to Western culture, the way they treat their food, gardens, and community with great care and respect is something I deeply admire.
While our days were extremely long and busy, I am so glad that we were able to experience a diverse range of living situations and see so many unique parts of Costa Rica. Learning about global warming in conjunction with seeing the raw and unfiltered beauty of nature has opened my eyes to the urgent importance of this issue. I choose to see climate change in two ways; one where we can make a difference by collectively changing our lifestyles now, or the other, living in ignorance while destroying the beauty and biodiversity that surrounds us. Through our classroom discussions and surveying Costa Ricans it is evident that so many people care about our earth. It is not too late I believe. While we are slowly approaching a tipping point, I think if we change our values and behaviors, we can mitigate climate change for future generations.
As always, I am incredibly grateful for Dr. Wasserman, Dr. Libby, Eric, and Debby for accompanying us on this journey and guiding every student along the way. It’s been fun.
Julia
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