Hi there! My name is Ezra Moon, and I’m a rising sophomore studying Ecology & Evolution in Dietrich. I’ve always wanted to be an ecological researcher in Latin America, which is why I chose the Center for Latin American Studies Seminar & Field Trip program.
This year the program is in Costa Rica, the perfect location for an aspiring ecologist: Costa Rica was the first country to ever reverse deforestation, and is now known as a pioneer in environmental restoration. The structure of the program is focused around my research project, and helps me develop professional skills in every step of the scientific process. Already by iterating through my research question and methodology, I have learned so much about problem solving and gotten better at teamwork through constant collaboration with my research partner and supervisor. The program is also very loosely structured: besides a weekly class and a few excursions, it is up to me to execute my project within these six weeks, which I hope will improve my time management skills and discipline.
Anyways, back to the present. I landed in San José, Costa Rica about a week ago, and it has already deviated from my expectations in many ways. For example, the famous “pura vida,” meaning “pure life.” The phrase, to me, seemed almost too perfect to be true: I assumed it was just something pushed by the tourism industry to make the country seem inviting and relaxing for foreigners. Thus, I was surprised when I heard it not just from tour guides and souvenir vendors, but from almost all kinds of locals. “Pura vida” is used as a casual greeting, farewell, and even to say “no worries” in response to an apology.
On the other hand, Costa Rica isn’t the tropical paradise the tourism industry does paint it as. Seeing the poverty in the streets, and hearing the stories of personal struggle and governmental corruption, have also helped humanize the idyllic tourist destination Costa Rica is almost always depicted as.
That being said, the country is beautiful, and our visit to Volcán Poás was breathtaking—literally. The air was thin and just a short walk left me panting, but the views were gorgeous. It was my first time at a volcano and in the cloud forest, which were both very exciting to check off my bucket list.
After my first week of exploring the region and settling into my host family, I’m really looking forward to beginning my surveys at the various local universities. Yesterday I toured the University of Costa Rica, and I already think it’s the favorite campus I’ve ever been on. I plan to discuss the universities here in a future blog, so I won’t spoil too much, but the greenery, structure, and student culture have already drawn me in.
