Costa Rica Field Study

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By Jared Bray

Story Published: Mar 25, 2010 at 4:45 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 24, 2011 at 9:45 PM MST

BILLINGS -- The Central American country of Costa Rica became a temporary classroom for a group of Rocky Mountain College students earlier this month.

There were no chalkboards, quizzes, or textbooks, but the field study wasn't one big recess either. For some of the students, it was one of the most demanding trips they’d ever taken.

"The mosquitoes were probably my low, closely followed by the 10-mile hike that I wasn't aware we were making when I signed up for the trip," said RMC student Hilary Alweis.

But Alweis said it was all worth it once she saw species of mammals she thought she'd never witness outside of her college textbook. In fact, her favorite moment "was when we were sitting outside and a tapir just walked right by -- it was feet from us.”

Alweis' experience shouldn't have come as too big a surprise given that during the nine-day trip, the students visited some of the most biologically diverse places on the planet -- including Corcovado National Park.

"We got to see all the pictures on PowerPoints in the classroom; then we went out there and we were like, 'Hey, it's real,'" said Alweis.

According to the students' professor, Kayhan Ostovar, the field work not only introduces the scholars to unfamiliar ecosystems but also career and internship opportunities.

"It's very different for the students, but I think it opens up their eyes to what is out there and what options are there for them," he said.

Although the students are still compiling data from the trip, some of them, including Professor Ostovar, are already gearing up for next year's adventure, which could involve studying conservation issues in East Africa.

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M Williams said on Friday, Mar 26 at 1:05 PM

Interesting story, Costa Rica is beatiful! Note to editor, it's a Tapir, not a Taper.

P. Erickson said on Friday, Mar 26 at 7:10 AM

Thank you, KULR 8, for highlighting this amazing trip and bringing to the public's attention the fantastic opportunities that Rocky students are exposed to. This is a great program, spearheaded by talented and devoted instructors.

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