I have been home for over a week, but my mind is still returning from Costa Rica. Yesterday I found myself reminiscing to my dog (in Spanish) and then scolding him (in Spanish) for not listening. I went to Zumba class the other day and broke down when Bachata music (I learned how to dance to it in Costa Rica) started playing. But now that I’m stable enough to listen to Latin music, I think it’s time to reflect and appreciate some of the best two months of my life.
EARTH University is this enchanting bubble of learning, collaboration, and growth. The outskirts of campus are made up of different types of farms (organic, academic, hydroponic, livestock, botanical, etc.) where students work and practice 2 times a week during “Work Experience,” rather than taking typical lecture-based classes. The EARTH learning style is very practical; very fun (coming from a visitor who didn’t have to work for 4 years); and like the weather, very unpredictable. One work experience day I would be shoveling sheep dung into a fertilizer pile and the next day I would be learning about the medicinal properties of different herbs. But while experiencing so many different approaches to sustainable agriculture, I learned to always have bug spray, a hat, and a raincoat at hand.
(Ethnobotanical Garden - 07/24/24)
We went on field trips nearly every week, and to prepare us, professors gave us only two pieces of information: (1) Which type of boots to wear (tall/short) and (2) the general product produced by the site. When we drove 4-5 hours and spent the night on the other side of the country to observe rice production, I brought my tall boots, a blank notebook, and an open mind. When we traveled to a factory that breed insects as biocontrols, I wore my short boots. I didn’t expect that I would be tasting a worm and visiting a butterfly farm after, but what lovely experiences. Without an hour-by-hour itinerary, I was able to fully immerse myself in my surroundings and feel more awe. The EARTH life requires going with the flow and cherishing the interesting and unforgettable experiences that come with it.
(Butterfly Friend - 07/18/24)
Because I felt more relaxed, I could take moments to listen to the bird (and monkey) calls around me. I could take a short walking break on my runs to watch the deer gallop around the fields and the birds jump from branch to branch ( ;) ). I enjoyed the impossible and endless search for perfectly camouflaged leafy insects. Even with the action-packed days, I felt like I had time to breathe and notice.
Another part of the EARTH life that felt foreign to me was the lack of academic competition between students. I never heard students comparing grades or judging/separating based on academic performance. Classmates focused on learning, living, and growing together rather than rankings. The classroom environment was filled with jokes and laughter, and people seemed so much more easygoing and nicer, even with their sleep debts.
In addition to learning how to prepare for the unexpected and live in the present, I learned how to live a minimalist style, with 6 outfits and without a snack cabinet. The closest town, Pocora, was made up of a limited strip of stores (with a tiny supermarket, clothing store, and chicken place). EARTH provided free bus service to and from the area, but students typically went just to pick up essentials, like a few soap bars or a pack of snacks (that lasts <2 days).
(Pocora - 07/06/24)
I quickly became accustomed to the 3 large meals a day (rice and beans were a reliable side) and the perfectly ripe fruits, but between soil-y fieldwork, my clumsy eating habits (lasagna, pineapple, and soup always found their way to my shirt), and the light-colored clothing I brought, I had more trouble making my backpack-sized wardrobe last.
Right now, I’m glad to have these next 2 weeks at home to pack for Rice U. My stomach is also glad to be back; I think my microbiome likes my United States diet more (which is so strange because it heavily involves ice cream and cookies). I feel more confident about the next stage of my life. I know how to pack and how to hold a conversation (even in Spanish). And most importantly, I have a better idea of where I want to spend my time in college: the insect biodiversity lab, the holistic garden, the bike trails, and the dance floor.
I am so deeply grateful for the living, learning, and guidance EARTH and The World Prize have given me. I look forward to continuing this route (root), using plant science and natural methods to achieve agricultural sustainability.
(Plant Science and Me - 07/16/24)
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