Emily Solano MasisUniversidad Nacional de Costa RicaBeing a Costa Rican, the concept of biodiversity has been ingrained in me since my childhood. Today, I am living one of my greatest dreams…
Orr Uzan-TidharCollege of the AtlanticThis is Orr Uzan-Tidhar, writing to you from the depths of a Costa Rican rainforest (I’m actually typing this up on my laptop in my comfortable bed). Time truly feels elusive here. We’re already approaching the end of our fifth day, yet…
Abbey SeivertNorthern Arizona UniversityBeing part of this program, this summer has been the most influential and intense experience of my life. The adventure I have embarked on here has transformed me, making me stronger, smarter, and granting me unimaginable opportunities…
Alana HerrWashington University in St. LouisMy name is Alana and I’m a junior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution. I’m interested generally in ecology and conservation, but…
Darilis Martinez-TorresUniversity of Puerto Rico -MayaguezThe tropical biology course allowed me to develop in many different areas, both academically and personally. I was able to learn a lot about myself during the past month and it was great to spend time with myself and…
Martin StonerMacalaster CollegeI arrived in San Jose with no idea of what to expect. Of course, I knew what the course was “supposed” to be like, but I really did not know what was in store for me until…
Arlene PolarPurdue UniversityI would like to say that this has been the best experience I have gone through. The Organization for Tropical Studies has given me the opportunity to make memories, friends, and connections that will last a lifetime. Moreover, it has helped me find…
Julia MorinUniversity of ConnecticutOTS’ field station in South Africa, the Skukuza Research Station is the headquarters for the African Ecology & Conservation semester program. It is a beautiful research facility inside Kruger National Park with…
Dr. Lisa NupenOTS Resident LecturerThe unique plants and animals that occur in the new world Neotropics makes this an exceptionally exciting and special place for a biologist to visit – especially one like myself, who has studied and worked…
Emma SzegvariHamilton CollegeAfter nearly twenty-four hours of travel, I landed in the Johannesburg Airport. My excitement overcame my nerves while driving to the backpacker’s hotel to meet my twelve new classmates for the next three months. Recollecting on this moment, I could not have comprehended…
Ben CrookeSkidmore CollegeMy study abroad experience in South Africa was one of the most illuminative experiences of my life. During those two months, I was forever surrounded by scientists interested in ecology and conservation. I was welcomed into OTS…
Dr. Laurence Kruger
OTS Program & Curriculum DirectorThis has been a semester like no other. Study abroad is a key part of many undergraduate students these days, and to have their semester cut short, was difficult indeed. Despite the massive disappointment and uncertainty, the students rolled up their sleeves and got the job done. In order to get fieldwork completed and deliverables wrapped up, our truncated workplan was somewhat intense. We did, however, seek to maximize…
The Best Experience of My Life that Almost Never Was
Alexis TinocoWashington University in St. LouisMy time in South Africa has undoubtedly been the best experience of my life, but it almost didn’t happen. I always knew I wanted to study abroad, but when it became a real opportunity, I found myself doubting whether it…
Dr. Bernard CoetzeeOTS Resident LecturerThe next stop on the course was Shingwedzi in the north of the Kruger National Park. This region differs markedly from the southern part of Kruger, and is dominated by Mopane Shrubs (Colophospermum mopane). Shingwedzi a rest camp (i.e. tourist camp) and ranger’s post is located…
Alexis ChanCarleton CollegeAs I write this, I am currently about halfway through my OTS experience in South Africa. So far, I’ve learned field skills in the South African savanna ecosystems and experienced the many different cultures of this amazing country…
Ella ZhaoEmory UniversityPalo Verde, light of my life, fire of my mind. My agony, my ecstasy (not the drug). Pa-loh-vur-dey: the tip of the tongue taking the trip of four steps down the palate to tap, at four on the teeth. Pa. Loh. Vur. Dey. It was palo, refreshing palo, in the morning, caressing the mountain peak with a gentle breeze. It was hades, swarming with millions of fierce mosquitoes. It was nirvana, glistening in the gorgeous setting sun. It was the world of mortals, thriving in daylight and darkness. But deep down in my heart…
Terrance MitchellTuskegee UniversityThe last 100 days traveling around South Africa has been an experience I will never forget! I have seen and done so many amazing things over my time being here. Even though I have been in South Africa for over three months, it feels like I just got off my flight from the United States. I can still remember…
Scott DaiGeorge Washington University
As an OTS student, I’m exposed to unique experiences I wouldn’t really get in a typical college class. And with these unique experiences, there are many lessons that have been taught to me throughout the semester. Here’s a few lessons that I’ve learned…
Jessica RehmannWashington University in St. LouisI dreaded the days leading up to my flight from the comforts of home, to go across the world to a new country and a new continent. My introverted self, shuddered at the thought of meeting an entirely new set of people with whom I would have to work, study, and live. I consoled myself with a few thoughts; one, that I had positive experiences of field research in the past, so I was looking forward…
Dr. Lisa NupenOTS Resident LecturerAfter making the long trip from Nylsvley the students finally arrived at one of the jewels on Africa’s protected area crown – the spectacular Kruger National Park. This is OTS South Africa’s main base at the SSLI the ‘Skukuza Science Leadership Initiative’. For a remote research station, SSLI has amazing facilities in…
I’ve been in South Africa for exactly 2 weeks now but it feels like I’ve been here for 2 months. It could be because of the time difference, jam packed days of amazing activities, or because of how quickly I’ve become so close with all the people here. The first week spent in the Nylsvley nature reserve was the perfect way to adjust to life in South Africa. We went on game drives…
Nia Dubon-RobinsonEmory UniversityA long day in the field calls for a nice shower. The temperature of the water does not matter, the simple feeling of being refreshed is all that is needed after long hot day in the savanna. It was the first confusing but equally fun day doing field work…
Ella HeadDuke UniversityWhile I was deciding whether or not I was going to study abroad in South Africa, lots of fears crossed my mind. I worried about all the things I would miss out on campus while I was abroad. I considered my senior friends who would graduate while I was away. I thought about…
Life in Nylsvley Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park
Emma WaltmanWashington University in St. LouisThe second leg of our OTS program in South Africa began when we entered Kruger National Park. We were previously staying at Nylsvley Nature Reserve, where we received a thorough introduction to savanna ecology in the classroom and in the field. Nylsvley was a particularly great first stop because…
Dr. Tara MassadOTS Resident LecturerThe last ten days of the course have been packed with new skills and challenges. The students spent acouple productive days in the classroom to learn basic statistics and become familiar with the statistical analysis program most used by ecologists. They then moved to the field and…
Sarah SampsonColgate UniversityThis past semester in Costa Rica was an unforgettable experience. From being in a new environment and being immersed in a different culture, to learning about the diseases that…
Dennis BolshakovCollege of Wooster I am a biology major from The College of Wooster in Ohio, United States, and I am currently with the OTS Tropical Biology semester in Costa Rica. Even though I study in Ohio, I am well-acquainted with rainforests, since I come from the temperate rainforest region in Washington State. However, the Costa Rican tropics are very different. They blew my mind, and every new site
Blythe OwenWheaton CollegeThis week we challenged ourselves to try new things and completely immerse ourselves in an entirely different culture on our homestays in Hamakuya. We were split up into groups of 4 or 5 people and went into different villages to stay with a family for 3 days. It was the longest…
Mikayla KiferBowdoin CollegeFor most people, travelling is a way to explore differences. We like to contrast our “normal,” boring lives with something foreign and exciting; the distinctions between the two are intriguing. I like to focus onthe smallest changes—light switches, systems of garbage disposal, ratios of food pyramid groups. The way that we interact…
Ryan DavisGrinnell CollegeI have few experiences that I look back upon with such fondness and joy as my semester abroad with the OTS Tropical Biology program in Costa Rica. Throughout the semester, we took the time to visit and study a variety of incredible tropical landscapes–from cloud forests…
