mindsayAs of yet I know no one there and I have never traveled alone. Nor have I ventured south of Florida. This past week I received a mailing from my program, the School for Field Studies, which is accredited through Boston University. My future classmates hail from all over the country, from Hawaii to Oregon to North Carolina. There is even one girl from Japan. I assumed that the majority of the participants would be Environmental Science Majors like myself but there are actually only two others. The rest of the 33 students have majors ranging from International Relations to Studio Art and Religious Studies. After writing this first entry, I think I'll message everyone on Facebook so that I can friend them and find out a little more about the people I will be living with --in very close quarters --for 95 days. I'm a little nervous and very excited to befriend this new group of diverse students with whom I share the common interest of developing environmental sustainability. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, sustainability entails living within our means on a global scale in order to ensure enough clean water, soil, air, and habitat so that our grandchildren’s' grandchildren’s' grandchildren and so forth can enjoy our planet's vast plant and animal wonders.
Right now it is snowing on and off in Maryland and the wind is bitter cold. I can't wait to trade in my layers of Under Armour for shorts and tank tops. My packing list makes me giddy; I'm bringing my rubber hip waders for studying stream life, mosquito netting to sleep under, biodegradable soap for use in the unheated outdoor shower, scuba gear, an electronic Spanish-English dictionary, and a Canon Powershot G4 digital camera so that I can share photos of Morpho butterflies and other wildlife with you!
In preparation for the trip I am reading the Lonely Planet guide to Costa Rica. From what I've read so far, I expect the country to be beautiful, the locals friendly, and my classes to be challenging and interesting. I will be taking Principles of Resource Management; Tropical Ecology & Sustainable Development; Economic & Ethical Issues in Sustainable Development; and Language, Culture & Society of Costa Rica. I will use the last five weeks for my own directed research. To give you a better idea of what I'll be studying, I have copied and pasted the course descriptions below.
EE (NS) 374 Principles of Resource Management introduces practical tools used in addressing complex environmental problems including coastal zone planning, guidelines for ecologically sustainable development, environmental impact assessment, fisheries management and protected-area planning and management. We will review these tools in terms of their application to local issues and to Case Studies from the Caribbean, the United States, Central America and East Africa.
EE (NS) 377 Tropical Ecology & Sustainable Development examines the ecological impact of human activity, especially agriculture in a tropical country. The agroecology of important crops will be studied with emphasis on biodiversity as the source of production means and materials. Students will identify renewable and nonrenewable resources and examine their historical use. We will study the long-term and large-scale impact of local agricultural and other practices on the national and global environment (e.g. water pollution, waste management, climate change). Options for alternative resources use, land restoration and preservation will be examined from ecological, socio-political and economic viewpoints. Factors that constrain or promote particular options will be included. Basic field techniques and measurements will also be covered.
EE (SS) 303 Economic & Ethical Issues in Sustainable Development addresses the principles and applications of Ecological Economics, or the scientific and management aspects of sustainability. Allocation, distribution and scale will be presented as parameters to assess the sustainability of development models (at a macro and micro level). Basic concepts of ecological economics cost-benefit valuation techniques will be presented and applied. The roles of local people, government, and private, national, and bilateral aid agencies will be examined as constraints for the implementation of sustainable development models. The empowerment of local people and their reaction to non-local proposals for sustainable development will be examined through the review of specific Case Studies.
EE 491 (Fall) EE 492 (Spring) Directed Research prepares students to distinguish hidden assumptions in scientific approaches and separate fact from interpretation, cause from correlation and advocacy from objectivity. Specific tools will include experimental design, field techniques, basic descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric quantitative analysis. Succinct scientific writing, graphic and tabular presentation of results and effective delivery of oral presentations will be emphasized.
LS 205E Language, Culture & Society of Costa Rica contains two distinct but integrated modules. The Spanish language module offers listening, oral and written practice of the Spanish language at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of proficiency. Students will engage in oral and written grammar and vocabulary exercises; and develop Spanish language skills and tools required for their research projects. The socio-culture module helps students develop a more refined understanding of Costa Rican culture and the various communities with which we work. Students participate in lectures, field exercises and other activities including a homestay- all of which teach them strategies and skills for working with people in a community-based research context and help them to assist with community extension projects.
Other expectations that I hold for my experience are lots of hiking and camping in the rain forest. Though I lack extensive camping experience, I'm really looking forward to spending so much time outdoors. I'm really excited about getting to know the Costa Rican people. I've been told to brush up on my international and American politics, as the Costa Rican citizens are supposed to be much more politically aware than me and my fellow Americans.
After my study abroad I hope to be tanner, fluent in Spanish, and a more sensitive and thoughtful global citizen. Ideally, this trip will help inspire me on whatever track the rest of my life will take. I'd be thrilled if you read along and give me input throughout my time in Costa Rica.
~Tammy
