Study Abroad Testimonials
COSTA RICAN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY TOUR, SPRINK BREAK 2007
Costa Rican Rainforest
By Darryl Dressler
We woke up in our San Jose hotel around 7:30 and ate breakfast before our departure to Earth University. We were able to get an extra hour or two of sleep because of “tico time” (Ticos, the name for the locals, are not as active on Sundays and have no care for time). Breakfast included cereal and yogurt. On our travel to Earth, we passed through the Cloud Forest and stopped for a picture opportunity. It was a beautiful jungle along the steep mountains with many exotic plants and waterfalls. As we traveled further down the mountains, we departed the cloud forest and entered the rainforest. There was a great amount of humidity here. Earth is located 5 to 6 kilometers from a main road and sits in the middle of the rainforest. The first activity for the day was visiting the botanical gardens, which are cared for by the students of Earth. The gardens are filled with many gorgeous flowers and trees and our group was excited to see the many poisonous dart frogs. We came back for lunch at the university’s cafeteria. 
Everyone enjoyed the meal of rice, beans, beef, and juice. The most exciting activity of the day followed lunch. We traveled to the forest reserve to take an hour hike in the jungle. Our guide, “Ron,” led the way while pointing out many of the interesting wildlife. We were welcomed by the loud bellow of a howler monkey located a good distance away from us. As we walked we were amazed to see large spiders, leaf-cutter ants, monkey ladders, and some of the biggest trees I have ever seen. Near the end of the hike we had excitement seeing one of the howler monkeys in the canopies. Tom was followed by a tarantula! At this point it started raining in the rainforest, oh the irony! We left dripping wet and smiling. At our bungalows it rained all night but we were happy to have visits by armadillos.
How did your day start today?
By Sarah Erdlen
3/12/07
Mine began spotting a scarlet tanager while eating breakfast in an open-air cafeteria in the middle of the humid tropics and my day got better from there! Our first activity was a tour of the integrated dairy and swine farms. The technology and sustainable methods used here are top of the line. I was amazed at how eco-friendly all the agricultural practices are. While at the farm, we saw some Indian water buffalo and a wild caiman! 
We then traveled to another university, CATIE. On the way, we wound through gorgeous mountains and spotted a three-toed sloth hanging in a tree. At CATIE, we visited their jardin botanico, botanical garden. The species there were absolutely gorgeous. I ran my camera battery dead taking so many pictures. Coco trees, gigantic bamboo stands, fruits we’ve never even heard of, all in a space that can only be described as paradise. The day was perfectly topped with shouts of “big snake!” It was none other than a rainbow boa constrictor just off the path. And all of this before dinner!
Integrated Organic Farm
By Colin Coppola
Today we took the bus to get breakfast at the cafeteria on the Earth University Campus. The food there is great at every meal. The first visit of the day we went to an integrated organic dairy farm. It is integrated because it considers the “full spectrum” of farming and has unique ways to re-use outputs like animal waste and inputs that are common and natural in the tropics like catching rain and filtering it through tubes to where it is needed. 
We learned about effective microorganisms that are used with the animal manure to turn harmful pollutants (ammonia) into protein faster than the pollutants can escape into the air. This not only recycles manure for potent fertilizer, but also reduces air pollution and completely (or almost) eliminates odor. It is pretty amazing and was organic too. Walking to the bio-digesters we saw a caiman, which is a small version of a crocodile. The bio-digesters anaerobically capture methane gas from the manure and store it in large plastic bags, using it to power the farm. The farm was pretty impressive and I loved learning these things that most U.S. farmers don’t know.
