Why I Am Excited to Go to the EcoCampus

This is a photo of our student blogger Marissa.This blog is an archived post written by Marissa during her 3rd year in the Environmental Management stream.

 

 

 

One of the many perks of choosing Environmental Studies at York is the ability to go to the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica. Students have the opportunity to complete a semester abroad during the summer studying at the Lillian M. Wright Centre in the Costa Rican rainforest.  Any YorkU student can take the courses offered as electives, but for Environmental Studies students, the courses meet course requirements.  Choosing whether to go or not can be difficult, but there is a lot to look forward to!  Las Nubes offers a lot of exciting experiences that make the trip even more worthwhile.

The Lillian M Wright Centre in Costa Rica

The Lillian M Wright centre at the EcoCampus

I have already decided that I will be going to the EcoCampus this summer, just before I start my fourth year.  Some of the top 5 perks I am looking forward to are:

1. Staying with a host family. On the trip, you stay with a local family who host you in their own home. These people become like a community around you: You sleep in their home, eat dinner with them and overall, spend a lot of time with them. You are also able to room with your friends with the same host family so it's like a huge sleepover!

2. The experiential learning and in-field lessons. You will literally be doing research, talking to residents of Costa Rica and getting the ultimate hands-on experience.  For example, in ENVS 4810B, students go to a food market and even do art projects that they put on display.

3. The natural beauty of Costa Rica. On the drive to Las Nubes campus, we pass by a beautiful mountainous region. During classes, you also go into the national park that the Las Nubes campus is built on. Definitely Instagram worthy!

4. Talking to the people of Costa Rica and learning about their culture.  As an Education student, I was really excited to find out that some course go into schools. In ENVS 4120, students go on daily field trips including the beach, a canoe ride and even going to classrooms to teach students. Most courses go on field trips that directly relate to your field of study.

5. Taking Environmental Studies and other courses there. Along with Environmental Studies courses, some major being offered are Communications, Spanish and Education. The semester abroad program is offered to all York students, so you can bring your friends!

Students waving from the EcoCampus

Smiling students from the Semester Abroad a few years ago. This will be me soon!

All in all, the Las Nubes summer abroad is going to be an exciting trip that I recommended everyone to go on!