Well it is the night before the trip and i am looking forward to feeling the sweltering sunshine on my skin again. Also i can’t wait to see the familiar sights and sounds of nature and culture. The inconsistence rain fall may become annoying but i hope to have an amazing time.

-Matthew lallman-

Wow, just less than 24 hours until we arrive in Costa Rica.
I am extremely overwhelmed and nervous. I do not know what
to expect. This is my first time out of the U.S and I am
glad its to a country where I am familiar with the language.
Since I can speak spanish I think I will have a greater
connection and understanding with the people of Costa Rica.
My biggest anitcipation is hiking and walking through the
rainforest, and seeing the vast amount of animals that live
there. Here in Connecticut I don't see much of a variety of
animals that's why I am excited to encounter many animals in
Costa Rica. One of my assignments on the trip is to study
inverbs, as of right now i dont know much but when we leave
Costa Rica I hope to know all there is to know about
inverbs. I just hope i don't get bit by anything. This trip
will surely be a lifelong memory and I am grateful for this
opportunity. See you all very soon!

Chris R.

Only four days until we all finally meet again & leave for Costa Rica! I can't wait to land in San Jose, soak up some of that 90 degree weather and hope I don't burn to a crisp. Having little fear of planes or traveling, I'm more excited than anything else to experience what the tropical country of Costa Rica has to offer. Hearing nothing but amazing stories from Professor Wasko, I definitely cannot wait to see these leaf-cutter ants for myself as well as many other critters, reptiles, and other animals I would never see in Brooklyn, NY. I also can't wait to be out in the field, I feel like i'll be able to adjust really well with my surroundings. I've always wanted to do zip-lining & snorkeling and now I finally can.. I know it will definitely be an experience I won't ever forget. Writing this is making me even more ansty to be there!

See you all soon!!

-Maria M.

Blog entry

Only 6 (or 5 depending when this gets posted) days left until I go off to Costa Rica! I'm so excited and nervous all at the same time. I can't wait to see the different types of birds, plants, and the country itself. I'm not so excited to see the bugs and snakes, but sadly I know I'll encounter them. I hope the days don't go by fast while we're all there and I also hope I'm not the only one that hasn't packed yet. I believe I'm the only freshman going this year and since I don't know anyone, I know I will make new friends and also have a lot of fun. I can't wait!
Jennifer M.

Nervous, Excited, anxious, scared. These are all my emotions about Costa Rica. I can't wait to see what I will discover and explore. I know I'm going to be nervous to try new things, but I am willingly to put that side and become more open-minded to new experiences .I want to step out the box of my everyday life and fears. So even though I'm nervous about zip lining and snorkeling, I will defiantly do it with palms sweaty and shaky hands.  I am also excited about my assignment on Costa Rican birds.  I can't wait to study the different types of birds that are out there.  Costa Rican birds are so eccentric and different from my everyday New York pigeons, I'm so eager to learn more about them. I am also excited to try the food and the different fruits.  My parents are from Trinidad and Tobago (an island that is off the coast of Venezuela). I had visited Trinidad and Tobago many times. So I am a little familiar with the island life. But I know that Costa Rica is little different from Trinidad, so it will still be a new experience for me. I can't wait to see what the trip has in store for me. I am excited to be working with Dr. Wasko and his colleague Susan and also the classmates. I hope we all have a wonderful eye-opening experience. See everyone soon :)!!!

Shantel R Isaac

Another year, another course...

Welcome back!

After a tremendously successful experience last year, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to bring another group this year.  There was quite a bit of rigmarole to deal with in setting things up this year, from both student and administrative ends.  But we made it happen... huge thanks to Marge Arnold and David Goldenberg for making this possible.  All said and done, we now have a somewhat smaller group this year, but it should be no less fun. 

Our trip runs from May 31-June 10, and we'll be visiting various areas around Costa Rica.  As always, stay tuned here to hear about our adventures.  Personally, I can't wait to get back, visit old friends, re-explore my old stomping grounds, and introduce another crop of students to one of my favorite places on earth.  Only 27 days to go!

--Dennis Wasko, 5/3/11