"This trip changed my life"
by Cate Rauseo '07

As a requirement of Providence College's Tropical Biology course, students take what some might think of as an "ultimate field trip" to a tropical destination. This year's sojourn was to the rain forest of Costa Rica, and the students who studied there this spring said it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

In April, Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo, associate professor of biology, brought the 19 students enrolled in her Tropical Biology course to the Organization of Tropical Studies' (OTS) base in La Selva, Costa Rica, for nine days of study and exploration.

OTS, an education and research consortium of 63 universities and research institutions from around the world, provides students with the opportunity to conduct research in the world's rain forests.

Arévalo, who has traveled to Costa Rica three times through the OTS's Research Experience for Undergraduates program, helped to make the College part of the OTS in 2003.

While in Costa Rica, Arévalo provided her students with information on the country's political and economic aspects. They visited a banana plantation, where they got a glimpse into the nation's economy.

"I love it so much there and I really wanted to show them everything and give them the best experience," Arzvalo said.

"[Dr. Arévalo] made our experience one to never forget and she helped us learn more than we could have ever imagined about the tropical rain forests of the world," said biology major Natalie Masson '06 of Wakefield, R.I.

To prepare for the trip, students did group research projects on various species residing in the Costa Rican rain forest. They also completed literature reviews and researched background on their topic so they could conduct research projects while in the rain forest.

The students also went on guided day and night tours of the rain forest and a boat ride to study fresh water organisms. They had an unexpected learning opportunity when they watched a researcher at La Selva insert transmitters into the body cavities of the fer-de-lance, one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.

"Watching snake surgery was something I never expected to see on our trip, or ever in my life," said Spanish major Morgan Bigelow '06 of West Hartford, Conn.

Safety concerns were paramount while in the rain forest. All were required to wear high boots for protection from snakes and long sleeves to guard against insects, and commit to a "buddy system" in which they assumed responsibility for their partner's safety.

Arévalo is hopeful the trip provided the students with a new insight into the world.

"I think this trip opened their minds. It was the first international trip for many of them. We reviewed Costa Rican politics and economy, and they were all very curious about this culture," she said.

As the first group of PC students to travel to La Selva, Arévalo said the students paved the way for the next group of students she will bring there in spring 2007.

"Everyone there said this was one of the best groups of students they have seen because they were all so eager to learn," she said.

Masson hopes to return to La Selva and to visit other rain forests.

"It is difficult to express in words the experience we had in Costa Rica, especially in the rain forest. The trip changed my life. It has interested me in visiting other rain forests of the world, not to mention going back to the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica, hopefully in the near future," she said. "This trip has opened my eyes to the worldly possibilities that my degree in biology will help me to pursue."