In my last post, I discussed expectations versus reality, and how our expectations are almost always different from reality. I ended with my expectations for the remaining week: “a busy one, full of travel, friends, learning, and new, unforgettable memories.” Now, I would say I predicted correctly, but only if I wanted to give you the most bland and vague idea of my last week here. It ended up being so much more, and I’d like to share some of the most meaningful things that happened.
On the academic side of things, this week was actually pretty stressful. I did not expect the final project to be moved up a few days, which led to 2x the normal amount of stress while also switching locations every 2-3 days. However Roarke and I pulled our project together and ended it on a strong note. Although it took up the entire evening, hearing everyone’s research presentations was interesting. Of course we all knew the general idea of each other’s projects, but it was cool to see the results of it and the variety of things we all researched. Our project on invasive plant populations found that time since the land was disturbed by humans didn’t necessarily predict the amount of invasive plants located there, but that there were more invasives found where humans more recently operated. This means that especially in conservation efforts, human intervention is necessary to curb the negative effects invasive plants have on native biodiversity, or these plants will continue to compete with and reduce native populations, taking over.
Additionally, we had a few more class activities in between travels. We did a ‘6 degrees’ activity, where we essentially discussed the impacts of global temperatures rising each degree Celsius up to 6. For me, this activity put into perspective how fragile the conditions of our existence are. As of now, there is balance. But should temperatures rise, glaciers melt, ocean conditions change, a series of chain reactions could start that, at that point, we could simply not stop. The world’s climate as we know it would look drastically different–as different as an iceless Antarctica and the tropics as dry as a desert. As long as we keep this balance we can avoid it. It will take a lot of work and change that may make us uncomfortable, but it will be unquestionably worth it.
Now, this may or may not be a hot take, but this last week was probably my favorite
of the entire trip. Not only did we get to travel around and see so many different places, but there were so many experiences during that time that I will treasure forever. I wrote last time about how I was feeling a connection with and a desire to learn about nature that I hadn’t had since I was a kid. I really felt it again this week. At the Arenal Volcano, we hiked up a large hill to get a good view of the volcano, and there were large fragments of volcanic rock scattered about. I got to climb around
them and stand on top of them. When I was four years old, I went to Mount Rainier National Park, and climbed around on the boulders there. Of course, I was four, so my parents were a little reserved and I didn’t get to do it as much as I wanted to. So now, fourteen years later and with more experience in the physical world, I was brought back to this moment and felt as I did then and a little bit giddy. Now, if I felt like that there, I felt even more so at the La Fortuna waterfall. Walking barefoot over the boulders scattered about, I had so much fun and went a little wild climbing everything and moving about. It was so beautiful and I felt as though it was in this kind of place I belonged, this was the kind of thing I’m meant to do. It was hard to leave. I’d like to go home and continue to chase and find this feeling, more connected and comfortable with the natural environment and always seeking out fun. I hope to revisit the west coast of the U.S. as well, perhaps back to Mount Rainier, and do more of what little-me didn’t get to do. I’m reminded that although I’m an adult, I’m still the same person. I’m grateful I was able to find that feeling again through this trip.
However, what really made the last week so meaningful to me was the people. Whether it was dinners together at the Lomas del Volcan hotel, swimming and taking pictures at La Fortuna, bumping around on the car ride at Palo Verde, or late night shenanigans at Monteverde, it was genuinely these small moments that meant the most to me. There’s something about traveling for three weeks with a group of people of similar interests that leads to the best time ever. I am not stretching the truth when I say I’m so happy to have met and made connections with every single person on our trip. I was able to learn a lot
from them too. I’m excited to head back to Bloomington in the fall, and I hope to hang out with these wonderful people and continue the friendships I’ve made.
Overall, I’m so happy to have had this experience. I’ve learned so much and have gained more of an appreciation for the natural world, down to the smallest creatures in it. Thank you to everyone, including the professors and the TA, for making this trip such an unforgettable experience.
Love,
Miyako
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