Welcome to our Blog!

We are exited to share our journey with you as prepare to depart for our annual Study Abroad Tropical Rainforest Ecology Course to Costa Rica.  Our program allows students from Satellite Academy to participate in a unique opportunity that aims to be a transformative experience in the lives of all those who participate.  This blog will be used by students and faculty to share their  insights into our studies in Costa Rica. If you would like to support the program please follow the following link to donate.   https://secure.gobluefire.com/go/form.php?rid=a5ba657fe752&  Enjoy!

Adventure Time begins ....

As I stepped out from the plane, I felt the breeze of warm air and took a deep breath. It felt like I was back at my parent's home in Bangladesh. As we drove towards the hotel I noticed, by looking through the window, that the houses and streets were alike and also there was traffic. I already love it here! I love this hotel. The food was really decent after a long journey. The food tasted really good and the dessert was like heaven! So I'm excited about tomorrow because tomorrow is the first day of vacation!

Costa Rica 2k17

Today is Day 1 of our Costa Rica journey and it has been an accomplishment. When we first arrived, one thing that stuck out to me the most was how fresh the air was compared to New York. And I also loved how friendly and welcoming Pablo and Marvin were. Overall it has been a very good day and I am looking forward to seeing what tomorrow holds for us.

The Journey Begins

Getting off the plane, it felt like I could leave all the problems at home and just be able to enjoy my time in Costa Rica. This journey already seems to bring good vibes and the feeling that you just want to have fun. I just hope to learn many new things from the upcoming adventures.

Day 1

Our arrival in San Jose was a success! Travel was a calm and quick process. I'm glad everybody was able to cooperate and this helped it to run smoothly. When we first arrived we met Marvin, our driver, and Pablo, our tour guide; both really nice and cool. My first impression of Costa Rica was how much I can relate it to the Dominican Republic. That was one personal connection I made. The hotel where we arrived was Park Inn and it was very nice and welcoming. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and this experience. Very excited!

Let the adventure begin

When we arrived in Costa Rica I just didn't feel it yet. I think when we wake up tomorrow and start a new day then I'll be in complete awe. I'm excited for what's to come. But no matter what, we are bound to have an amazing trip. For each individual we will have separate experiences but in the end we will all come together to have an amazing time.

First Day

Today is the day I escaped from the cold and freezing New York breeze and into the beautiful warm country, Costa Rica. A country that opened its arms for me the moment I stepped off the plane. Since today is the first day there's not much to talk about, but so far my fellow classmates have been nothing but fun. I hope to build and gain strong bonds, and become one with nature. I cannot wait to post more about my upcoming adventures.

Didn't Really Hit Me Yet

On our way to Volcano Poas the walk was an adventure. I was willing to get out of my comfort zone and really get dirty. When we got to the volcano it was absolutely beautiful. Lucky for us there was no fog... yet. So we were able to see the lake clearly, and the rocks surrounding it. That was just the beginning of our adventure. Two hours later, after making it to La Selva, things drastically changed. We had to be mindful and respectful of the animals and insects that live here. Going on our night hike really helped me to get to know what animals and insects there are in la selva. We saw Bullet Ants, a sloth, army ants, snakes, poisonous frogs, and salamanders. That's only a few out of the many animals that call la selva home.

There's a First Time for Everything, Right?

Being nervous is natural, but my first time being on the plane I was beyond nervous. Anxiety quickly kicked in as I was making my way to my seat. Sitting next to my friend made things better because she was holding my hand and telling me not to worry. Being able to rely on her was important to me because Satellite is all about relationships and keeping them going. Having someone next to me really made things that much better. Before you knew it, the plane took off and that was the beginning of my life-changing moment. Yeah!

Cabins for the night part one

On the second day of the trip we leave the hotel, now we'll disconnect from this so-called society that we live in and be in contact with the real world. As we travel around through what they call in Costa Rica "el barrio", I start to see the people who surround me, and I think about how we will soon see each other as more than just a bunch of classmates who bump into each other in the hallways. As soon as we get on the bus we travel to so many amazing places that no one would ever think could be fun to visit; from waterfalls, to volcanoes that are not active, to lakes.  After a long and fun day we finally arrive at our final bus stop, THE CABINS! As soon as we settle down we literally have to go through nature to get to our rooms, which makes it even better than the trip we were already on. After that we are given a tour of our surroundings, not too deep but enough to know what we are around. At last we arrive at our room to save energy for another adventure.

The best is yet to come...

So far, coming to Costa Rica has been full of excitement- from the days leading up to it, to stepping on the plane and entering another country. The view from the hotel is beautiful but I’m sure it doesn’t compare to what the rainforest has in store for us. It's only day one and I can’t wait to see more. 

Traveling from New York City to San Jose: destination Costa Rica

When getting on the airplane in Newark, New Jersey to get ready to take a 5 to 6 hour airplane ride, I was so excited and nervous to get to Costa Rica already. But landing finally in Costa Rica, it was such a beautiful place. The people and how they say ''Pura Vida'' was so amazing. I love it here. The staff in the Park Inn hotel are super nice with great vibes. But I'm looking forward for day 2 and going to the rainforest :) Super excited!!!!! 

Great time already!

It seems as if the group is already bonding faster than expected and the fun has started earlier than we expected as well. The flight was a bit exciting, but the landing was even more enticing and funny. I'm looking forward to the days spent with this group!

Costa Rica Great Adventure

Day 1: Great landing, and great beginnings. A nice way to connect with my Costa Rica classmates.
We've just arrived and are making a stop at Park Inn hotel.  I can tell that the rest of this week is going to be great for the simple fact that everybody is bonding. There's no specific clique or group that stays together; everybody interacts and is sharing with each other like one big community.

First day out of the U.S.

Today was exciting! We touched down in Costa Rica and I already feel as if i'm about to learn a lot and experience things I've never gotten to see or do before. Everyone seems to be getting along, and I'm hoping maybe I will grow close with people I would have never suspected. A lot of things here are similar to New York. But the air, food, and people are very different, which makes me think about how big the world is and how I want to see more of it. Tomorrow we will see "the real Costa Rica". And although the hotel is nice I cant wait to explore.

ACTION TAKE 1

Waking up was such a nervous feeling for me. I didn't know if I was fully mentally prepared to leave the country with some random people. Boy was I wrong! This has been the most magnificent moment I've had in such a long time and it's just getting started. I have a strong feeling in my gut that by the end of this journey we'll create new experiences and we'll have learned everything there is to know about Costa Rica's social norms, and information about the rain forest, including the animals. I'm loving the weather, and the energy of everyone is groovy.

Since we landed...

Today, arriving in Costa Rica felt amazing, and the energy was different. So far we went to the hotel and ate. The hotel is very nice. After we got to the hotel we ate and the food was great! Today we didn't do much, because of the time that we arrived. I'm looking forward to having fun and exploring new things throughout the rest of the trip. 

The jungle

Day two and we're now visiting all types of animals from monkeys to snakes and all types of crazy animals in this Zoo.  This zoo has a beautiful view, and a nice restaurant the service was amazing and, while entering this amazing restaurant, we got to see a coati.

Dreams are coming true.

We went to Poas Volcano National Park where we hiked three quarters of a mile. When I finally made it to the top I felt like one of my dreams came true. I've always wanted to see a volcano. It was beyond beautiful. I'm glad that we went on time because after a while the clouds started covering the volcano. After that we went to see the lake where there was another beautiful view. Then we hiked to the waterfall and I was surprised to see the view because this was another one of my dreams. I've always wanted to see the waterfall, and not just see it but feel it. I honestly don't know how to explain how amazing I felt. After that we went to this fancy restaurant called Peace Lodge. It was beautiful and the food tasted really good. Finally we took the bus to La Selva and when we arrived we ate and went out to see some insects and lizards. Overall it was awesome day!

Called my mom to go home already

Day 2 and I have already cried and wanted to go home. We went to see and experience the Poas Volcano. It was a beauty. So beautiful that it felt surreal- literally breath taking. The size and impact of the volcano made me feel so small. I am actually one small part of such a big world with a lot of beautiful other tiny pieces that we don't get to encounter in our natural comfort zone. After that exciting moment, I got sick. I was throwing up, crying, dizzy, my body ached, and I had a headache. No one,  not even me knew what was wrong or how to stop it. I felt so bad that I called my mom and explained to her that I'm going home and insisted that someone must have poisoned me because I felt like I was dying. But thanks to the help of Angela I made it through the day without booking a flight to New York.  Other than that i am having a good time but still hate the bugs.

A night full of wonders.

   
I was really excited for the night hike. We got to see a lot of cool animals and insects that only come out at night.

Moments like this!

This morning was so exciting! After having a nice breakfast we took a morning hike with Kenneth, who is our guide during our stay in La Selva. I saw so many different animals and I felt so lucky because we're not always likely to see them. I took pictures with the camera and learned so much about the different animals I saw; the Howler Monkeys, sloths, bats, and birds of many kinds and much more! Oh! I even learned more about the plant I have been studying: the Bromeliad! I even got the chance to see a Pecari (which is a hog-like animal) on my own and I honestly didn't know what it was. 

Day 2

Today was day 2 of our Costa Rica journey. We did a lot of interesting activities which consisted of first going to see a dormant volcano and a few beautiful waterfalls. After that we headed to a really nice restaurant that had really good food and the workers were really nice. Last thing we did was head over to La Selva where we will be spending the next 3 days 

Volcan Poas

After a long, yet wonderful day of exploring La Selva, I found myself so taken with the beauty in Costa Rica. Thanks to this trip, I was able to fulfill one of my dreams of seeing a volcano. 

Basic Park? Oh, it's Not...

You may think it's just a normal park in Costa Rica but it's not. When you enter the park you will see such an amazing view that you don't even expect to see. If you're looking for an accessible, natural escape from all the animals then Poas Volcano National Park makes a great trip. It honestly was one of the most breathtaking sightseeing places you will see. The volcano is in the picture below. The main attraction is the volcano's massive crater. This massive crater is one of the largest volcanos in the world. If you love taking pictures with a background, this place is for you :)

Costa Rica Night Life

The first night in Costa Rica was really amazing for me. We had a great dinner and went over what we were going to do for the rest of the time in Costa Rica. We met Marbin, our diver, and he gave off a great vibe. He made us feel safe and took us were we needed to go on time. That night we also met Pablo who also gave off a good vibe.

Day 2: La Selva Rainforest

Arriving to the Estacion Biologica was like OMG! That was my first reaction. We are going to see animals and plants and just experience nature on a different level. We ate dinner and it felt like we were eating at a dinner table as a family. But then I got freaked out walking in the forest at 11pm. We were all sweaty and tired and mad because we had all our stuff with us. Then we walked this suspension bridge in the dark, not knowing what was crawling on our legs or what to expect. We arrived where we were staying at to get our cabin room keys and just organize who and what was where. We finally made it inside, and the shower with the bugs- OMG- was so scary! But we managed it pretty well and we survived. At last we tried to sleep and forget what happened a few hours ago. Doing the midnight hike, for me, was not so good. Goodnight guys. Let's see what day 3 activities have planned for us. 

Day 2 in Costa Rica

Today was our second day of being in Costa Rica and it was pretty exciting. One of my favorite moments was when we went to hike in the rainforest at night. I liked it because although I was scared I overcame my fears and I learned very new and interesting things. On the other hand, I wasn't so excited about the cabins because technically we are in the middle of nowhere. But I know I will eventually get used to it and make the best out of the experience.

Preparation for the days ahead ...

Day 3: We have survived our first night in La Selvas! I woke up recharged and energized. I only had 6 hours of sleep but it did me justice. I had to take a cold shower but that didn't ruin my morning. If anything it helped wake me up. We made our way to the cafeteria by 7:00 a.m. to enjoy some breakfast and begin our long day ahead. One thing that I wasn't so happy about was crossing a wooden bridge that was wired. I am terrified of heights but I had to face my fears. Besides, I was really hungry. After breakfast we split up again and went with our tour guide, Kenneth (Edgar and Paul joined us). We hiked for 3 hours and learned so much! Time went by so fast we wanted to stay longer with Kenneth and learn more about the secondary rainforest. On our hike we saw a Howler Monkey resting on a tree. We learned that La Selva is habitat to 3 different types of monkeys and there are 4 in total in Costa Rica. We were only able to see the Howler Monkey in the morning on our way to breakfast, but La Selva is also a habitat for the Spider Monkey and White- Faced Capuchin Monkey. Later in the day we visited the classrooms we'll be doing research in, the labs, and the investigators facilities. I was very impressed with the facilities and how well put-together they are for being in the forest. We also met our scientists, Amanda and Socoro. Once again we split into groups of two and hiked certain parts of the forest. Each scientist has a different specialization. Amanda is a specialist in Bromeliad plants, and Socoro specializes in Stream ecosystems and studies bioindicators to determine life in the stream or small body of water. Both groups were able to tour with both scientists and learn or see something new. This activity was preparation for the days ahead of us. After our interaction with the scientists, we were given an hour break before dinner which I was so happy for. I relaxed 'till dinner and after dinner the teachers decided to fry our brains with more information and work. For the rest of the night we worked on our research (animals we had choosen back in the city). Overall I had a great time today and learned a lot of different type of information about animals, insects, and the rainforest.

Day 3: Still in the rainforest 😩🌳

Well today we got up early for breakfast. Just waking up and going out our cabin room to go the bathroom was a struggle and I wish the bathroom was inside. But I have learned and I'm trusting myself to adapt to this environment, to the food, and to keeping myself healthy. Even though it's so hard to keep in touch with family and friends, this opportunity is once in a life time. I'm going to try to forget New York City, put myself first, and enjoy this trip. Today we had an amazing person to guide us. Her name was Amanda and she was super cool and gave us a lot of information about bromeliads and how orchids, moss, ferns, lichens, and bromeliads are just a few of the families of epiphytes. She taught us other important facts about other types of trees and how one of the trees provides water for those who are lost in the rainforest. They can just bring a machete (knife) and they can just cut a branch. Once it is cut, you can tip it over a little and water will come out of it. And just like that you will survive. Amanda was amazing and told us a lot of things that I wouldn't know about the stuff that goes on in the rainforest. I'm looking forward to tomorrow to get deeper into what I will be writing for my PBA research paper. Hopefully I get picked for what I want to study and learn more about it!!!! 🙃🙃👋🏽👋🏽

Nearing the end of the day.

Amanda, one of the scientists who works here, gave a lengthy presentation about bats and the various species that belong to their family. Experiencing a mild migraine and falling asleep at the same time, I was still able to keep myself awake throughout the whole presentation and learn new things about the critters that I never knew about before. As hideous as they are (and I absolutely love animals) the things they do are wondrous and seeing them in action in the videos provided was interesting. To see how they play a crucial role in the forest of Costa Rica made me appreciate every single kind of animal in their own way. By dispersing seeds (some pollinate) from the fruits they digest, they allow certain plants to expand throughout the region and allow them to thrive in population. Small things are, for the most part, very important.

Third day in the Rainforest

We are finally settled into our cabins and our environment. So far we have explored and learned so much in so little time that I don't even know where to start. Today we went on a 3 hour hike. Our tour guide, Fernando, showed us a lot of the plants some of us are currently studying for our science class. He also showed us the Leaf Cutter ant colony that they build themselves. Overall, it has been a good day. I am looking forward to getting some sleep and seeing what tomorrow holds for us.

Day 3

Today we went out on a 3 hour hike early in the morning and after that we headed to our classrooms were we split up into two groups and in those groups we learned about the two choices we would have for our PBA projects. One of the choices were Bromeliads and the second choice was the Stream Study. Overall, that is most of what we did today.

Students become the teachers

Once again I find myself wondering how I got so lucky. I'm able to explore the Costa Rican rainforest with my insightful students and wonderful colleagues. It's been such a gift to spend time exploring the world outside of the traditional classroom setting. The students are absorbing information, synthesizing ideas, and drawing connections so naturally that this old English teacher's brain is working hard to keep up with them. I've had the pleasure of listening to them have intense conversations with veteran scientists and researchers about old growth forests and bio-indicators and micro-ecosystems. When we discuss these things during mealtime, the students become my teachers and I'm really enjoying learning from them. As I write this, the students are engaged in a workshop facilitated by Amanda, our expert on bats. I can't wait to see the student projects and presentations that are produced from this incredible experience.

Pura Vida!

It's now day 3 and as the locals here say "Pura Vida!" Or "Pure Life!" Thinking back to when we first boarded that bus in NYC with our wonderful Satellite students, it slowly began to sink in on how we were all ready to embark on this amazing journey together. I don't think many of us knew what to expect but I think we can all agree, we have not been disappointed. The students continue to push through the rigor of having to conduct their studies while walking through the breathtaking views of the rainforest-where our morning alarms are the sounds of the howling monkeys. They've been tested physically and mentally but remain persistent in completing this journey together. It hasn't been easy for any of us but so far it's all been well worth this learning experience! Will keep you posted as we move to our next project in "La Selva!"

Forest Gump

Run Forest Runnnnnn! The rain forest is truly magnificent, a true beauty standing right at my foot steps. The hasty howling of the small howler monkeys is my alarm clock. Awakening me from my deepest dreams. The heat from the blazing Costa Rica sun resting against my skin, tanning me into a beautiful dark complexion. I walk down the long stone paths to the concrete forest. The trees stress as the leaves fall from their hairs. The sloths, in a deep slumber, not wanting to be awakened. While the birds show off their glowing feathers. The day has only just begun and the ants are hard at work. Walking trees cover the soil, as bromelias take energy from insects that have decomposed in their pineapple leaves. Today has yet to end and i'll be back to type about more.

Curiosity Thrills...

Her book transports her

Rainforest brings it to life

Real world classroom. Smile

Watching a student study and then realize the realities of what's really real. 

Creepy Crawlies

When our deadly yet adventurous walk came to a conclusion it was time to wash away all of the bugs that died on my face and all the ants that crawled in my shoe. It was shower time! Now, from the previous ambassadors of Costa Rica Study Abroad, we have heard of some not-so-good experiences when it came to showering. So, while preparing to end my night, I was on the lookout for frogs being in the shower and any other creatures that didn't belong in there with me. Me and my buddy Givonni
decided that as roommates we would guard each others' backs while the other showered, in case of an emergency. Now, while Givonni was showering, and I was washing the soap suds off of my face, I heard a few murmurs coming from the shower. Before I even realized what happened I heard screaming and saw a Daddy Long Legs on the shower curtain. Before my body even registered fight or flight, she flung it off of the shower curtain and onto me, which is when I knew I had to exit the premises. As she was screaming on the inside, and I was screaming on the outside of the door (focusing on not dying because I didn't know where it was located) I went back in to make sure she didn't scream too loud so we wouldn't disturb any of the others. But that failed to happen. The bathroom was filled with screaming and laughter and as she left the shower I was hesitant to get in because I didn't want to even know what was in there. But in the end it turned out that I was able to have a complete shower because there were no longer any visible bugs and we ended the night on a clean note.

La Selva

Day 2: We have left the luxury hotel in San Jose and began our day bright and early to begin our adventure. We visited the Volcano Poas. We hiked our way to the eye of the volcano and took various pictures on our way and observed our surroundings. The elevation of the volcano is so high that on our way to the top, the further we went the less we could catch our breath. The view was breath-taking. It was so beautiful it looked like a drawn picture. Then we went to see a beautiful lake and we relaxed and enjoyed the view. Our next stop was to Waterfall Gardens, the place was very nice and had an old fashioned style but very welcoming. We got to visit different waterfalls and got to see some animals firsthand. After visiting these fascinating nature zones in Costa Rica we started heading to La Selva where we will be staying for the next 4 days. La Selva means "the jungle" and they didn't lie- it may not have been as nice as Park Inn but it was a very nice and organized facility. Once we had everything settled we prepared for our night hike with our tour guides. The group was divided into two and we explored the rain forest in the nighttime. We saw a lot of insects and learned a lot about there habitats and way of life. We also saw some wild animals like sloths and were able to see them up close. Overall the day was definitely something to remember and another successful journey. I'm very grateful.

Break time

I'm having a good time in Costa Rica. I'm enjoying the views and tours of the amazing places we travel to. This is a time when I can clear my head and open myself up to all new possibilities. I'm looking forward to this journey with everyone.

Jeremiah was a bullfrog...

Everything I've ever known about the wilderness, every summer camp experience, every night hike - solo walk - camp out adventure, didn't prepare me for this.

I adhered to the rules of the La Selva guides: "drink plenty of water; your body isn't used to these conditions." They didn't, however, share how frequently I'd have to visit the bathroom. As a result, on our first night here, I was awakened in the middle of the night with a burning urge to go to the bathroom.

I emptied out my shoes, as instructed. I checked the room for bullet ants and other foreigners. As I grabbed the door knob I heard a call out in the wilderness that rattled my soul. It wasn't like anything I've ever heard or can adequately describe. It was like an owl met an African tribal leader and all of this swung on the echoes of a didgeridoo! I wasn't frightened. I was terrified.

I slowly let go of the knob and covered myself with every sheet in my cabin room. I figured, if I can't see it, it can't see me!

Luckily, I made it through - dry bed and all.

I haven't been afraid in nature since my first summer camp experience, summer of '93. Last night brought me back to a place of vulnerability that I don't like, but sometimes we must be reduced to our knees to see the beauty of the stars.

Jeremiah was a bullfrog...
But Kevin is a bit more like Indiana Jones.

Creeps at Night

Last night was when the real adventures began. As we crept through the night we saw night life at its finest. The chirping sounds of the crickets, and the silent stomps of the ants took over my ears. My peers shaking with fear of being bitten, but intrigued with all walks of life. The Leaf Cutter Ants were hard at work to provide food to the fungus to feed themselves and their Queen. Owls howling at the moon and spiders up late searching for food. Terrified of the darkness that surrounds me, I'm truly one with nature, and hoping to continue unplugging from reality.

In the forest, the mighty forest

Last night had to be one of the deadliest yet memorable moments so far here. Now, me being completely petrified of bugs, I don't even know how I managed to make it through to write this entry. But through all the struggles of last night, I still enjoyed myself. As we arrived at the rainforest I instantly felt the muggy humidity that I hate and began to be attacked by the bugs. Now, I knew what I was getting myself into but as we went on our late night trail walk, I literally wanted to die. Now, if you put aside all the screaming from everyone who was afraid, I would have to say it was amazing. How can something so ugly can turn out to be so beautiful. When walking through the trail we encountered a variety of different species- from trails and trails of different types of ants, to the guide signaling owls. It was truly an amazing experience to see every thing in its element, much like on the Safari ride in South Africa. It was even more amazing in the morning because I was able to see the battle of bugs that I was fighting. Just seeing everything and hearing everything was so peaceful and truly brings joy to my heart. Even with all the complaining from the long walks and burning hot sun I know that when I leave I will miss it all.

Still more to know.

After three hours venturing through the rainforest with our guide, Fernando, my group and I learned things through hands-on experience that would be unknown to us even through the use of textbooks and quizzes. We learned that plants can be flammable (natural kerosene), monkeys use seed pods as a lint brush of some sort, and trees can be deceitful and steal the vitamins and foundation of another tree! Lots of learning ahead of us.

In The River #4

I went to the river to collect information for my PBA project. The experience was very interesting. The experiment I did was on roots on epiphytes. I collected the data and took it back to the lab and put it under the microscope and found lot of insects and separated the non-living from the living things.

(Bro)meliads.

I never knew how thick and abundant the tropics were until we stepped foot into the deep forest of La Selva. I also never knew how funny it'd be. Kevin was the comedic relief of the group throughout the entire pursuit of bromeliads. As a whole (Angela mostly) we decided to spontaneously name ourselves the Bromeliads, emphasis on the "bro". The reason for the sweat, aching feet, and everything else we experienced was because we were in hot search (no pun intended) of biodiversity inside epiphytes, which are basically entire other worlds in spirit. One word: macro-invertebrates. These tiny creatures use the water collected from rainfall in bromeliads to their advantage, along with the nutrients from decomposed materials to create, in a sense, a micro-habitat. It's fascinating to take this information back to the lab and both dissect the plants and explore the fundamental reasoning as to why this is vital to the rainforest. A lot of work is ahead of us but it will get done in due time.

On the edge of the world!

Today I got to experience something so amazing! After having a wonderful breakfast we took the bus to Poas Volcano National Park where we got to see this beautiful volcano which is known for its famous massive lake-filled crater. I learned that the lake that is on top of the volcano rests upon a cooled column of magma. The volcano contains one of the most acidic crater lakes in the world. We then hiked and visited a lake called Botos that was also a part of the park which had such amazing scenery. The water, the plants, the sky, and everything was just so beautiful. 

After visiting these nice places, we went to La Selva, which is the rainforest, where we are staying in cabins for the days we are here. I was really, really scared. I had a panic attack because I was in the rainforest! The great teachers that attended the trip with us made sure I was okay and we went night hiking with an expert who knew so much about the forest. I was scared at first but then I loosened up a bit. I had a very scary, but fun, night. 

   

Day 4: I feel like I'm adapting to the jungle life🐜🐅🐝🕸

Hello guys! Waking up this morning, I was super cranky because I was late for breakfast. But I managed to get up and move fast and get ready to eat. And I made it, so yay! At a quarter to 8am, we started heading to the classroom to meet up with the coordinators of the program. But the group that I'm in is the Stream Study and there are about 9 members in the group. We are heading to Sarapiqui which is a lake that we will study and collect data from. We'll gather information and when we come back to New York and go to school we'll be ready to go with all the information we got for our PBAs. But the lake was amazing! OMG, I wish the other group could experience what we did. I'm also happy with my roommate. (Rehana) because we work so hard today at the lab we gather so much creatures. But i felt so proud of myself because how i was when i came in two days ago i was a mess i wanted to go home and i cried the middle of the night because i was full of anxiety because of the bugs just was not adapted to this being in the rainforest. But now i see science in different way and not so scared no more of certain bugs, but today was fun like i said and my group was amazing and we work all well and we enjoy ourselves at the same time. Hope you continue to keep reading my blogs tomorrow i will be posting more stuff due to our last day en la selva :'( so sad this is coming to end but we have to go back to regular lifestyle and of course going to satellite ugh lol just kidding bye.

Could I be a scientist

Something I struggle with in life is finding my passion. There are things I like but I feel like most people have a general idea for what they like. All through my school years I've had different experiences with each subjects and for the most part, I like them. Science is one I'm usually interested in because I'm a naturally curious person and science allows you to peak your curiosity. Being in the forest with nothing but scientists was a great experience. Individually we each got to conduct our own experiment about bromeliads, stream studies, and insects, with people who do this for a living. Me and my peers actually got to search the forest for our own bromeliads to do some investigations based on a question we proposed, from there we collected samples to collect data under the microscope. Just the whole process to going out and learning new things and seeing all different types of animals, plants, and bugs was something I never thought I would see myself doing. But I'm glad I was given the opportunity to do so, because the whole time I felt like a real scientist whose data will actually go down in their system, which is incredible. 

Beautiful people

Even the people are as nice a they can be. Everyone is very approachable and the understand that life is greater then themselves. I've meet sooo many great people in the last week who I've never even thought I would meet. All down to our tour guides who without them the full experience couldn't be possible. To Amanda who was amazing when it came to her bromeliad buddies, I've learned so much about a simple plant in three days so imagine the amount of information I could learn in 16 years. When you see people who are passionate about their job and genuinely care about the environment and discovering all types of things that most people wouldn't do are the ones who mean the most. They make you want to do better in the would and have an impact. Dr de la rosa is an amazing man. To see all his discoveries about all the animals is something I think everyone in life should see. Everyone knows that this environment is not the best but with out the people in la salva I do think it would be worse. All the people who collectively come together to make sure that their rainforest stays as pure as possible is something I truly appreciate.

The Fringe

We've finished gathering data for our investigations with Amanda in the lab. I was a bit frustrated. The micro-invertebrates just didn't want to be spotted. They knew that a much larger, humongous specimen compared to their size, was observing them through a tool the size of their habitat. Despite the frustration, I was still able to identify every individual organism in the petri dish, although it took hours of eye-stressing observation. So I hope to go more in-depth with the information we've collected and have a wonderful time applying it to our PBA class.

A trip I won't ever forget...

Laboratory break time.... 👀🐜

Dr. Carlos de la rosa shows me all the animals that die by accident in the rainforest. Pretty cool (not about dying part 😓), just how they save it in a special storage room.

Day 5: last day of our journey en la selva 😩🦎🌳😔

Good afternoon those who are reading my blog. I'm located in one of the laboratories where we already collected our data and we're taking notes about our species. But today was an interesting day because we spent 5 hours just working and checking that our data was correct. But the hard part of it was removing and looking at species through the microscope and just checking which belonged in the same family or what kind of insect it was. I loved doing this and enjoyed every bit of it. Around ten to 11am we stopped working in the lab and took a break. We went to the classroom to see an amazing presentation that Dr. Carlos de la Rosa presented to us. The presentation was full of amazing pictures and information I wouldn't imagine or think about. But Carlos made me realize a lot about life and the things that go on in the rainforest that we wouldn't even think about. Another interesting fact I learned today from Carlos' presentation was how the jaguars are attracted to men's cologne, especially Calvin Klein. And the pumas like the scent of Chanel N5. Today was full of focusing and learning about a lot of things. I'm going to miss being in the rainforest. This is coming to an end. Tonight we start to pack our things and we'll leave tomorrow morning to a different location which I can't wait to blog about. 😊😊😊😊  Bye ye La Selva 🌳🦎🐝

Future Scientist

Today was, by far, the most fun and interesting day since we got here. Day by day I'm learning so many new things about everything in the rainforest, from plants, insects, and the environment as a whole. Today I woke up happy, and I was going to skip breakfast since the teachers decided to keep us up late presenting our research on the subject we chose back in the city. But I changed my mind and got up and did what I had to do. Breakfast was good today so I was energized and ready to work. Today we were working with Socorro and Claudia, while the other group went with Fernando, who is an expert in Bromeliads. They will be helping us with our investigation for our PBAs. We hiked our way to the stream and, on our way, saw different types of animals. We was able to see a Spider  Monkey and its offspring swinging from tree to tree, looking for something to eat. We also saw many Perkins roaming the rainforest. On our way, we came across a hollow tree that is a cave for vampire bats. Paul got in the cave and flashed his light inside while my classmates and I took turns looking into the cave. We finally arrived at the stream and began our research. At first I wasn't so excited about getting down and dirty in the stream to collect data, but then we were assigned to do different research in the stream. For example, I was in charge of investigating the ecosystem of leaves and finding out what types of insects live there and depend on the leaves. After collecting my data and heading to the lab to take a closer look at my data I was very pleased with what I recovered. I caught 2 dragon fly larvae and many other larvae insects. I loved working in the lab. I felt like a real scientist and now I understand the fascination of specialist science.

It starts here

The real last day... This last week has been everything to me. I had an amazing time with this group of people! This was very motivating and makes me want more for everyone in my life. To come from New York to this Costa Rica trip made me think how life really is around the world and how learning something from school does not compare to really experiencing it yourself. I feel that before I came to Satellite I was not motivated to live successfully. One reason I started to feel motivated was my first impression of the people in this school. Now coming on this trip, I see how I want to live my life.

     

Adios Costa Rica.... ;(

Why do we have to leave? Why is it hard to say goodbye? Why is it so painful to leave? Why does time go so fast? I really don't want to leave Costa Rica. I had an amazing time here and I will never forget it. This trip impacted me in many ways. I wish I could explain how happy I was there and how I got to know each and every one. Today was our last day and I had so much fun. You want to know something? My dream was to see their dance and I saw it today. Yes, I have millions of dreams. This trip made me feel confident and taught me to have patience and I really have this feeling that no matter what happens, I will achieve my goals.

The end to a new begging

There's no such thing as a life that is better than yours and I experienced that during my time in Costa Rica. I finally got to see what life was like outside of my own and I'm glad I was able to get that opportunity. Not only did I build a better relationship with the ones around me, but I also learned so much more about them! I got the chance to spend time with my teachers and get to know them on a better level. I thank them for actually giving me this chance. I was impacted by someone who I just met and because of him I see life from a different point of view. I'm so thankful for everything I have and I will only push for better. Through the smiles, laughs, and tears I'm actually happy to say I enjoyed my stay in Costa Rica and I really do thank everyone that was apart of my stay here. Thank you for making it so amazing!

Bitter Sweet

The whole Costa Rica experience changed my perspective on life. Not only did it teach me things academically, but mentally too. One particular life-changing moment was meeting a guy on the Tortuguero beach named Earth. He knocked coconuts down from the tree and even cracked them open for us. At first we saw Pedro talking to him so we all went over there and joined the conversation. He was telling us how he lived in the jungle when he was younger and basically taught himself everything he knows. One thing that he kept saying that stuck with me was to love and respect everything, whether it's living or dead, and to love your enemy like you love yourself. He just had a very strong and pure soul. You could feel it. I'll never be able to explain the conversation for anyone to understand. You just had to be there to feel the connection and wave of emotion we all felt talking to that man. He truly touched us and I can tell we truly touched him. I'll never forget him, what he said, and the moment I shared with the hand full of classmates who was able to share that experience with me. Pura Vida, Costa Rica, its been a good time!

I think I want to stay

Today is the last day in Costa Rica and it is bittersweet. I really miss my family and friends and my city, but I can honestly say I'm suddenly sad to leave Costa Rica. I've made many memories and bonds with people and learned so much that this experience has really opened my eyes and made me more grateful and mindful of everything. I will leave Costa Rica with friendships and a new perspective, and even more hope for my future. I was exposed to so many great places and people and I must thank everyone at Satellite who helped me get here, and especially stay here. This literally was the experience of a lifetime and I will never ever forget this.

Last day in Costa Rica... but it doesn't end here!

Last night in Costa Rica... It's a bittersweet feeling to be saying goodbye to the streets of San Jose and go back to NY (reality). I'm really going to miss it! I've learned so much through this experience and I will take all the things I've learned back home with me. I feel more open-minded and stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually. I know I can accomplish anything now and I know I'm capable of pushing myself to be the amazing person I'm going to be. I just wanna thank the Satellite Academy staff for making this possible for me. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Satellite Academy changes people's lives and I'm proud to say I'm part of this community. Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving a new and improved version of myself and this is just the beginning of my journey!

The final day

The final day. I mean, what can I really say? Each day was a new adventure that I never wanted to end. I feel like overall this trip has changed my perspective on life in so many ways. Growing up in a place like New York City, you become so confined to the things that are around you. But when you go to a completely different place like Costa Rica, that 'completely opposite you' begins to actually appreciate life for what it is. You take in all the trees and open space, even down to the diversity of the bugs, and just think to yourself how beautiful life can actually be if you let it. With this being my second study abroad, I knew that I wouldn't want to leave. Sometimes it feels good to just up and leave all you know and adjust to a new way of living. It's good to take risks and step outside your comfort zone because you'll see you might actually like it. Who knew a city girl who's terrified of bugs would actually miss the rainforest that's filled with them? I'm extremely grateful for this experience, not once but twice. And just like South Africa, this is another experience I could never forget in life. I believe that life is about meeting new people and gaining from them which is exactly what I did. Each person I've encountered in Costa Rica had something in all of them that I will take away from them to make me a better me. 

Meant to be

I really wouldn't change anything that happened in Costa Rica. I came with a friend and left with friends. I connected with certain people in a way I can't even explain. But man, the people I call friends now, I wish I was actually cool with before the trip. It just made me open up and so did they. I got to see the beauty on the inside of girls I thought I'd never talk to or even connect with. We all shared an amazing experience and we're all supposed to be RIGHT HERE. I truly believe God put each and every person on this trip to contribute to making the trip what it was. ❤️

Take off

Y'all don't even know the heart attack I was about to have on our way back on the plane. I just felt as if it was moving way too much in the air. I started getting nervous. It was low, then it got higher, then it started to shake a little. Oh my God, we're going to die. That's it! My stomach was dropping each time it moved. I called out for Kevin and asked whether the plane was supposed to do this and he said it was perfectly normal but I WASN'T BUYING IT. I wasn't the only one alarmed either. Givonni woke up out of her sleep. I turned around and Tonia's face looked just as scared as mine. People were just looking around. Aw man, I was terrified! I instantly started praying. Praying to ask God to please spare my life. I'm too young to die right now. Angela then reassured me everything was okay. Turns out everything was okay and I was just buggin' 😂

Did I miss anything

When I got to Costa Rica, I didn't realized how much of a big deal it was. I didn't realize it until we were starting to leave. To be really honest with you, yeah, everyone might say it was a great trip and all. But staying away from home for a week with different people, who you got to see everyday, was pretty tiring. Aside from that, all the amazing adventures I got to share with these people were really memorable. I can truly say, from the bottom of my heart, that I've learned a lot about these people, and nature, which I had no clue about before. We had to stay in the woods with bunk beds that weren't even comfortable and walk through the forest being paranoid that something would bite you. It was just crazy. We also had time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And being up so early in the morning was just too much. But in the end, we got through it together, looking out for each other. Not just the student, but the chaperones as well. I can say I've grown a lot from this trip. It helped me realize many things, from expanding my knowledge about nature, to learning a few things about life, love, and friendship. "Love, like everything else in life, should be a discovery, an adventure, and like most adventures, you don't know when you're having one until you're right in the middle of it." This quote is a discovery I made while I was on this trip. Last thing before I end this, I want to THANK all of the people that made sure we got to learn a lot from this experience. And to the amazing chaperones for dealing with our craziness. I am really glad I got this opportunity.
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊