Applications opened Thursday to study biology next year in Costa Rica.
Biology and non-biology students can attend a 16-day study tour in Costa Rica led by Dr. Laurie Kauffman, associate professor of biology.
“I’ve been going to Costa Rica since I was in college in the ’90s, so it’s a country I know well,” Kauffman said. “It’s a small country, about the size of West Virginia, but it holds 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity.”
Kauffman said students will be able to choose their projects, which can be anything from studying plants, insects, wildlife, and more. Biology students will receive four credits in an upper level biology, while non-biology students can receive a biology credit. They also will receive a service learning credit.
“It’s mostly going to be based on what the students want to do, so I’m not sure exactly what we’re doing yet,” Kauffman said.
The cost of the trip is $1,975, which includes the course fee, meals, lodging, and travel in Costa Rica. It does not cover airfare.
Kauffman said she and Mary Benner, director of global engagement, worked to bring the price down to less than $2,000.
“I think part of the problem when I tried to offer it last year and it didn’t make was because it was more than $3,000 to attend,” Kauffman said. “We’ve seen a lot more interest this year.”
Monica Hiller, education alumna, attended the Costa Rica trip in 2012.
“Don’t assume you can’t afford to study abroad until you check to see what financial aid there is or what scholarships you can get. It’s probably more within your reach than you think,” Hiller said. “It is by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Kauffman said, most of the time, students will be out in the forest doing research, but they also will have the opportunity to see other sites in Costa Rica.
“We will spend some time in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and do a little tour. We will also be going to a beach on the Caribbean,” Kauffman said. “I think it wouldn’t be fair to go to Costa Rica and not go to the beach. It will show a different flavor of Costa Rica than they will see on the rest of the trip.”
Kauffman said applications are open to biology students or anyone interested in the study of behavior and evolution. The trip will be from Dec. 27, 2019 through Jan. 11, 2020.
For more information, students may email Kauffman at lkauffman@okcu.edu.
Hiller said studying outside of one’s home country can change their perspective.
“I have gained such an appreciation for biodiversity, and how important it is to protect it. Once you spend time outside of the United States, it’s like you have a different viewpoint of looking at the world,” Hiller said. “It was a truly life-changing experience.”
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