Upon our later-than-expected arrival to La Selva Biological Fieldstation near Sarapiquí, Costa Rica, we grabbed our luggage and I entered a rainforest for the first time via a large, green stone bridge that connected the cafeteria and developed land to an untouched rainforest full of many mysteries. Little did I know how significant this bridge was to learning in new capacities. The following morning while I was walking to the cafeteria for breakfast, I noticed a stone that stated, “Like this bridge, Don Stone opened new horizons to a generation of tropical biologists.” For context, Don Stone was the Organization of Tropical Studies Executive Director. The whole purpose of the Organization of Tropical Studies is to “sustain our tropical ecosystems by driving scientific discovery and knowledge, by enriching human perception of nature, and by enhancing worldwide policy actions in the tropics”(OTS). This organization helped preserve land at La Selva and other locations to enhance long-term research opportunities and educate individuals like us. Now, this sign was very eye-opening and made me realize that I am going on to be a junior at Indiana University who is interested in biology but has no set career choice or direction. I wanted to enroll in this Planetary Health and Climate Change course to gain more knowledge and perspective about how climate change is impacting our environment. Being able to attend this study abroad opportunity is similar to the purpose of the bridge as I have found a new appreciation for the little insects around me and it has opened a new horizon of careers for me to consider as I tap into my passion and love for nature.
For the first 13 days of our trip, we will be spending the majority of our time at La Selva doing various hikes and lectures while also doing field trips in towns nearby to explore organic food farms. Monday, May 29, 2023 evening ended with Julia and I giggling while picking mouse poop off of our sheets before bed. After a night of much-needed rest, the first full day, May 30, 2023, is when it really sank in about all of the life around us. I walked out of my bedroom door and met my next-door neighbors who were a family of bats! There are 12 of them! I named them all and check up on them every day! If you sit there and watch them for a little while, they will get aggravated with one another and hit each other with their wings just like siblings. We went for a three-mile hike with Kenneth, a trail guide at La Selva, who taught us many things about various different plant and animal species. Since Indiana has mostly corn and mosquitoes, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of new things we observed. It was astounding. Every day I have been here, I am in constant disbelief of the abundance, variety, and beauty in each animal, insect, fungus, and plant. I was also impressed with Kenneth and his incredible knowledge about all of the wildlife as he knew the scientific name, tendencies, and fun facts about each and every one of these creatures. After this first hike, my brain was filled with so much information! I’ve been keeping a running list of fascinating facts I’ve learned since my arrival!
Our focus the first couple of days here consisted of us doing research and fine toning our group project ideas via research proposals, meetings, and presentations. There is a comforting feeling about presenting in front of 18 students and 2 professors who were strangers on day one but on days two and three I’ve grown to build strong relationships with them already as I spend the majority of my time together. It made the presentation so much easier and enjoyable than other classes I’ve taken at IU as there is not as much stress and it allows me to show my excitement and personality within my presentation. We will begin data collection next week for our project! More details to come on my project in the next blog! In our free time, I spent some time hiking and playing card games with the group. Everyone has been teaching me the game, Euchre, and I know my father’s side of the family will be very excited to play when I get home.
On the fourth day at La Selva, I was working on my personal journal outside of the reception building and got interrupted by some hollering monkeys in the trees next to us and lizards near my bag. Now my initial thought was “EW” but I shouldn’t freak out as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I tried to soak up and embrace every moment. By now, I have learned more about the native insects and animals in the area and found it cool that I was able to identify them on our short walks from the cafeteria to the river station or classroom.
On days five and six, our class went on tours of the organic pineapple and banana farms in the area. I did not fully understand why pesticides were used, how much was used, and how they truly impacted farm life until these local farmers expressed all the factors that you have to consider when growing monoculture crops. More alternatives besides pesticides should be implemented worldwide to help preserve the biodiversity and environment around us.
After being in Costa Rica for almost a week now, my favorite feeling is the temperature change from the hot, humid climate in the afternoon to a breezy, rainy evening with the most electrifying lightning and loudest thunder imaginable that ends in time for the most beautiful pink and purple double rainbow sunset above the rainforest line. This study abroad program has provided me with a lifetime bridge to many possibilities that I cannot wait to continue to explore and learn.
References
“Welcome to Organization for Tropical Studies.” Organization for Tropical Studies, 2 June 2023, tropicalstudies.org/.
Leave a Reply