Students visit Costa Rica for class credits

Breah Boone
TNE Writer

A group of eight students are preparing for a class this summer that includes studying,
learning and visiting Costa Rica. Erik Terdal, instructor for the Costa Rica trip, hopes to
have even more joined to the class. Since 1999, Terdal has taken over 100 students to
Central America.
Some students are going on this trip to further their knowledge in the major classes, and
the credit will go towards their major. Others are going to gain more insight by using this
as an elective class.
From an academic perspective, it is invaluable to see, hear, smell, feel the tropics we are
studying, sad Terdal. It is much better to taste raw cocoa cut by a Bribri Shaman in the
rainforest than to listen to a lecture about alkaloids. Students also learn how to make

connections with people from different cultures. "Chocolate" is different when you know
the farmer who grew it and the people in the village it was grown in.
NSU is using the Oklahoma Study abroad company for travel arrangements. Of the
travel-study opportunities offered at NSU, this is the cheapest. One student in particular,
Bailey Kennedy, Pryor freshman, has raised money for Costa Rica by knitting scarves
and selling them to her friends. In total, Kennedy sold around 85 scarves.
Studying abroad allows me to follow my dreams while continuing to get an education,
said Kennedy. I attended the Study Abroad Fair last semester and went to each booth,
listening closely. The program that stuck out the most to me was the Costa Rica trip.
Going to Costa Rica seems so fun and worthwhile. This trip is a chance of a lifetime.
While studying abroad, the group will be coral reef snorkeling, hiking at the Cahuita
National Park and Pristine beaches, rainforest exploration, doing hands on with wildlife
and more. Katie Portillo, Poteau sophomore, has chosen to join this study abroad trip as
an elective class.
The main reason I decided to go on this trip is because of my desire to travel, said
Portillo. I am hoping to experience, see, and learn about things I couldn't here in the
US.
The trip is May 18-30 and more are still welcomed to join the class. The specific
enrollment for the class is 11299 BIOL 4504 TROPICAL ECOLOGY. Last year, the
group who studied abroad with Dr. Terdal in Costa Rica created a blog that can be visited
here.
For more information, email Dr. Terdal at terdal@nsuok.edu.
Published 4/08/15