By Camila Zuluaga Rodriguez
Professor of Environmental Science Justin Compton took his class to Costa Rica over winter break to do research on topics studied during the semester.
The class ENV-271: Topics in Environmental Science went to La Selva, Costa Rica to “feel what biology is all about” and apply skills that were learned in the class. The class consisted of 10 students who met regularly to work on their research project and collect data.
Skills don’t necessarily translate when you try to apply it to the field, said Compton. He also said students picked up some intangible skills he wanted them to learn, like troubleshooting, problem-solving, and innovation skills.
“You know, it is one thing to take a class, but it is another thing to actually apply that skill set in like a real-world setting,” he said.
Compton wanted to give this experience to his students, to travel internationally and do field work, since he had never had an opportunity to study abroad or travel internationally as a student.
He said that all the students had been outstanding and had taken ownership of their projects. They all adapted well to the environment and maximized the opportunity, he said.
Compton’s goal for the trip was to mentor his students and work with them. His favorite part of the experience was seeing the student’s transformation from the first meeting to Costa Rica.
“That transition to them, like fully owning their project and then be learning from them, and now they’re more like experts in a certain thing than I am, and so they are teaching me. That kind of reciprocal relationship was the most gratifying,” he said.
Compton chose Costa Rica because it is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. He had gone there previously to do research and already knew the place and staff they would be working with, so it made it convenient for him.
“I started looking at different locations and sites, and then went on my own a few times down to Costa Rica to check it out and make sure I could bring students here,” he said.
The research site already had a lot of infrastructure, allowing the group to go and do their research. Additionally, they had full-time staff researchers and found students from other colleges as well, said Compton.
He said “The combination, it’s like the site, the diversity, the traveling logistics, kind of all those things make Costa Rica a perfect spot.”
“I’ve gotten there a number of times at this point, and this was the most rewarding and gratifying experience I’ve ever done,” said Compton.
Two of the students, Meghan Sambrook and Madison Rousseau, said their experiences had been fun, rewarding, and unforgettable.
“Being immersed in such a biodiverse ecosystem made the learning experience both rewarding and unforgettable. I believe that this experience has not only deepened my understanding of fieldwork but also allowed me to gain experiences that will be valuable to me as I pursue a career in the future,” said Rousseau.
She also said that it was inspiring to observe wild animals in their natural habitats and that this hands-on experience was unlike anything she had experienced.
For Sambrook, the trip combined her love of traveling with the opportunity to learn about new animals and species.
“I was with a smaller group of 10 students, and we had a fantastic time, each doing our research but having fun and exploring. I recommend that students take every opportunity Stonehill can offer,” she said.