Students from Lidenwood Univeristy USA have come to Costa Rica to study the flora and fauna of this beautiful tropical country, and to practice the Spanish language.
The following is an article which I would like to share with you. It was forwarded to me by Ms. Murrell, a student at the University, telling about their fun experience
Posted on 09 February 2011 by wmurrell
Costa Rica photos by Andrea Scott
– “Pura vida!” Everything is all good! That’s a phrase that started 2011 off right for some
Lindenwood scholars. Eighteen
Lindenwood students joined Professor Nancy Cloutier-Davis on Jan. 12 for a two-week excursion to
Costa Rica.The first four days, the group visited the town of
Puerto Viejo and the
Bribri tribe indigenous territory, learned to make
Afro Caribbean meals, toured the
Refuge Vida Silvestre Gandoca Manzillo and the
Chauita National Park. Senior Jasmun Moorehead, an exercise science major, said, “I really enjoyed meeting indigenous people and seeing how they live differently from the people in
Heredia [where the group eventually settled for studies].”
Students observed many different animals, places and people while hiking for several hours and even walking through a raging river. The students felt that it was worth it, though, when they reached the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike.
Lindenwood Students wade up to their knees in Costa Rican waters during a two-week excursion during J-Term led by Professor Nancy Cloutier-Davis.
After touring the southwestern part of
Costa Rica, the students traveled to
Heredia to go to school and visit more historical sites. They explored the
Poas Volcano National Park, the
La Paz Cataratas Waterfall Gardens and a coffee plantation. Students focused on Costa Rican culture and values and its differences from American society.
Senior Arista White said, “I learned about life outside of the U.S. — about other aspects of the country, such as the agriculture, economy and the people.”
Six of the 18 students and Cloutier-Davis returned to
Lindenwood by the end of
J-Term, and 12 stayed to participate in the semester abroad program. Those students will go to school five days of the week and live with a Costa Rican family.
Later in the semester the students will have classes in
Samara, visit
Nicaragua and other historical places during their 15 weeks in the program.
Photo by Andrea Scott
Sophomore and Spanish major Dana Porter said, “I love everything about
Costa Rica. I don’t want to go home. I am happy I am able to stay here for 15 weeks, and I recommend this trip to everyone. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—trust me it is worth it.”
For more information about the Study Abroad Spanish Program, contact Cloutier-Davis at NCloutierDavis@lindenwood.edu
"We loved the clarity in the film describing the most popular vacation spots in Costa Rica as well as the great residential areas to choose from. We loved the beautiful churches including the red steel church in Grecia which houses the pipe organ with the exquisite pipe sounds. Seeing the gorgeous flowers, trees, and plants, and the closeness of all the animals -sloths, monkeys, and more. We loved the colorful oxcarts, the traditional horse tope (parade) in Alajuela, and the bull fight in Palmares was a treat! Having lived in Costa Rica for eighteen years, I truly agree with what was said by the North American people who now reside in Costa Rica. The film is beautifully structured, narrated, and produced. Carol Wunderlee.
