(Palm Trees at Playa Ventana)
During Winter Intercession for the 2019-2020 school year I studied abroad in Costa Rica for 12 days. The course was titled “Costa Rica – Ecotourism and Sustainability” (ECON 301). Not only did this course align well with my major, but it also involved several of my other areas of interest. Nature, sustainability, and indigenous cultures have always been something that fascinated me. I was so blessed to have this opportunity.
(Hiking in the rainforest)
This course posed a set of challenges that I had to overcome. One of my biggest fears was flying on an airplane, so the prospect of having to take three flights while on this trip terrified me! Fortunately, after we took off from Dulles International Airport at 6 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, my fears were squashed. Flying felt like being on an extremely long roller coaster ride. Now I know that flying is not as intimidating as I previously thought. Another fear that I had was not knowing many of the other students on the trip. Over the course of the trip I made new friends and got to know a little bit about everyone on the trip.
(“Volcan Arenal”)
If I could describe the trip in one word, it would be “adventure”. Every single day I found new ways to push myself out of my comfort zone. Whether it was eating strange new foods or doing things that scared me, I embraced every adventure. Some of my favorite activities were horseback riding through the mountains, ziplining through the rainforest, and swimming under waterfalls.
Wildlife was one of the biggest things that drew me to Costa Rica. In my free time I like to photograph wildlife and chart observations online. Costa Rica’s flora and fauna was by far my favorite part of the trip. I got to see wild macaws, toucans. sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, vipers, leaf cutter ants, and much more!
(Crocodile named “Osama Bin Laden”)
Beyond the coursework, I learned so much about Costa Rican culture, sustainability and wildlife. It is without a doubt that I will one day go back to this beautiful little country. This trip helped me grow so much as a person and gave me memories that will last for the rest of my lifetime.