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Introduction
In March 2024, I was able to participate in the Honors College Service Learning Study Abroad Trip to Costa Rica. Traveling to Costa Rica was by far one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences in my college career. Not only did I learn about another culture, ecotourism, and sustainable practices, but I also learned about the importance of service. Throughout our time in Costa Rica, our group served local towns and communities across the country in intentional and specific ways, while also being served by local families and communities. As part of the course associated with the trip, a final group project was developed based on a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and presented at the Honors Showcase. A reflection of my experience, along with the final group project, can be found below.
Sustainability and Ecotourism
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was a strong focus of this trip. To further explore these SDGs, we studied the sustainable and ecotourism efforts of Costa Rica, which is a global leader in sustainability.
Service Learning in Mollejones
Butterfly Garden
Butterfly Garden
We visited a family-owned butterfly garden in Mollejones. While visiting, we learned about the processes involved in maintaining the butterflies, and how they contribute to sustainability and ecotourism in the mountains of Turrialba. We also supported the garden by helping with different tasks.
Soccer Shelter
Soccer Shelter
One of our main service activities involved repainting a soccer shelter for the town. This shelter is very important to the town, especially to the kids who love playing soccer. The photo above shows our group after we finished painting.
Family Farm
Family Farm
Many families in Mollejones support themselves through family farms. One family allowed us to see how they maintain their farm, and the sustainable practices they implemented over the years. They even let us feed some of their animals and milk their cows while we were visiting.
Along with the experiences mentioned above, we were able to meet families that taught us how to make many meals common in their culture. We also visited other ecotourism sites in Mollejones, such as the sugar mill farm, and participated in cultural activities. Below is a link to learn more about ecotourism in Mollejones!
Experiential Learning
Homestay Host Family
Homestay Host Family
During our stay in Mollejones, we were able to stay with a host family. Our host family included a mother, who took care of us as if we were her own children, and multiple children who took us on hikes, played games with us, and taught us about their community. In just a few days, I built long-lasting connections that shaped my entire study abroad experience.
Pacuare River
Pacuare River
The Pacuare River is known for biodiversity, natural waterfalls, and whitewater rafting. We were able to participate in a 6-hour long rafting trip, where we could see all of the natural beauty Costa Rica has to offer. While rafting, our tour guide described unique characteristics of the river, ecotourism opportunities, and how the community has prevented hydroelectric and logging efforts.
Bribri Family
Bribri Family
We visited the Bribri community and learned about their culture through discussions with elders, detailed tours, and other cultural activities. They demonstrated the cultural significance of nature and Cacao. We then learned how to make different types of chocolate products, giving us firsthand experience of ecotourism efforts by the Bribri families.
Final Project
Final Project Poster.pdfFor our final group project we were tasked with selecting a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and discussing how it relates to our time in Costa Rica. We selected SDG 3, which is focused on Good Health and Well-Being.
As shown in our project on the left, we focused on Blue Zones, and how the Bribri and Mollejones communities represented the characteristics and traditions associated with Blue Zones.
This project allowed me to reflect on my own lifestyle, and find ways to implement more sustainable practices into my everyday routines. After completing our project, we were able to present our final poster at the Honors Showcase.
Reflection
My study abroad experience in Costa Rica provided me with real-world experience that allowed me to grow in so many ways. I learned about the importance of ecotourism and sustainability across the world, while increasing my knowledge of different cultures. Through my increased understanding of sustainable practices, I was able to develop skills that promote sustainable living.
One of the best experiences of the trip was staying with our homestay family, who welcomed complete strangers into their home to learn and grow through their culture. I enhanced my communication skills by communicating with our family in ways that did not require us to speak the same language. This allowed me to recognize the importance of emotional and non-verbal communication. In a few short days, I built a long-lasting connection with the family by playing games, exploring their community, learning recipes, comparing language-specific words, and participating in community events.
Overall, this trip allowed me to recognize differences and similarities between cultures, allowing me to become an individual with more real-world experience and a better Anesthesiologist Assistant one day.
This photo is from our last morning with our homestay family.
"It's a big world out there, it would be a shame not to experience it" - Jo Andrews
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