Pre Study Abroad 4

not today's sunrise but also beautiful

Today's sunrise was marvelous. I wonder, will I see many sunrises or sunsets in Costa Rica? Probably not, since I will be surrounded by tall trees with lush foliage. Well maybe only when I will go to the beach. Less than a month is left and I have so many things left to do. I am reading books, saving up money, going to doctor appointments, catching up with friends, practicing Spanish, and shopping.

I've been also thinking a lot about my independent research that I will have to do in Costa Rica. It is the hardest thing to come up with, the research question. Of course it is even harder when you haven't seen what you will research on but I can't even come up with what I will exactly study, which type of organism. I've been telling myself birds but why and how? So many research topics interest me that can be applied to any organism

• camouflage vs bright appearance what is more beneficial? what matters more, protection or sexual selection? Although some organisms can change their appearance from bright to dull in order to blend in but stand out during the mating season.
• a relationship between plant and insect, bird and insect, or bird and fruit...whichever one
• Which native or non native plants/animals populate a disturbed area and why?
• competition between native and non native species

For now I'll just get back to reading about Costa Rican birds, hoping to convince myself to study them. Then I'll change my mind when I get to Costa Rica. At least I am starting ahead of time.

Pre Study Abroad: Things I will Miss

Have you ever thought of what you would miss the most if you leave the place you live in? It is common to think of the things we can't stand anymore and think I wanna get out of here. There are a few moments that make you think, Gosh I never realized how much I value this: Thanksgiving and Leaving. 


I have decided a long time ago, since I moved to Arizona, that I will not stay here and will leave when I get the chance. To me, the place of my childhood, Uzbekistan, is still the only perfect place climate and people wise, a paradise.  I am starting to realize that my view of Arizona is too simplistic. It has so many different climates including the Sonoran desert, which happens to cover a major part, which is in fact the most productive desert. From my ecology club, I found out so many things about the place I live in much too late. I feel like in my rush to get away, I am missing out and stopping my educational immersion here. There's nothing to regret though, I am going on the journey of my life and I can always continue the one I began here. Still, I don't think I want to have a permanent home in Arizona.

Things I will Miss

• Friends and family: Skype and read my blogs!
• Green Tea
• not the one from teabags but the one my grandma brings from Uzbekistan
• My green room
• Yes, my room is painted this pretty cheery minty shade of green. It is so calming. 
• My Grandma's Food
• My Dance Class

But I will definitely NOT miss 

• dryness and the sun burning your skin off after melting off sunblock
• air conditioning
• Although I am thankful for it, sometimes it freezes you while it's hot outside and fries you when it's cold outside. With all the progress it still seems hard to get the trick of controlling the air conditioning...
• lack of trees 
• TV and advertisement

Pre Study Abroad: CIEE Program Guide Remarks

So, I read CIEE program guide that informed me basically about everything: 

• food
• what to pack
• academics
• manners
• where I will live and more

I found a few things hilarious, and some..not so hilarious. Apparently looking at someone's eyes is seen as an intimate signal. Also they recommended (but not demanded) that some students bring a musical instrument to the research station. I am imagining a circle of laughing students at night and people playing guitars. Hmm..I guess I can play a harmonica. lol

There was a student's quote in there that said something like this:

No matter in how much mud you are stuck and how many bugs are biting you right now, you have no right to whine because after all, you are in the most beautiful place on Earth that might not exist anymore. So be thankful.

Throughout the guide they keep on repeating, be open minded. I understand that as, be ready for anything. This is going to be interesting.

Costa Rica's main meal is rice and beans which is eaten 3 times a day. Lucky, I love rice. I am gonna love their food!

Concerning grades...The teacher won't make it clear what is expected and I will have to ask several times how I am doing. This is because if I wait till the end of class and get an F on the test because I thought I was doing well, it will only be my fault. Sad truth.

Pre Semester Abroad in Tico Land: Costa Rica

*tico is the slang term costaricans use to call themselves.


Tickets are bought. Finances are more or less figured out. One study abroad scholarship received!  CIEE has finally posted the guide book, which I read halfway.


Studying abroad has been my dream since early childhood. I have traveled before, and every time it was a magical experience for me despite the long wait in airports, stomach aches, and restlessness on the plane. The books and shows I've watched about rain forests lured me to pick a country with a rain forest as the top destination.


In Costa Rica, I will take ecology classes and one Spanish class. There will be a lot of field work and traveling from coast to coast and I will even visit Panama's coast. For 2 months I will live in a research station in Monteverde, for one month I will hike and for another, I will live with a costarican host family.


I think my expectations of this study abroad program matches up with reality. There won't be much comfort, insects will accompany us everywhere,  our legs will be tired, and the workload will be large. I am worried that I won't even have enough time to do other things besides studying, like dance at night, or visit museums. I am also worried about my physical strength, I am not a very athletic person. But I have enough time to prepare. I am excited for the challenge, which without a doubt this trip will be.


Once I am in Costa Rica (Feb 8th), I'll try to post as often as I can, at least once a week. However, there will be weeks during which I won't have access to a computer.

my waterproof map of Costa Rica and camera case