News

By Alex Freeman, Communications Specialist

Montcalm Community College’s first study abroad trip in seven years provided an enriching experience for biology students. 

MCC partnered with Mid Michigan College for this study abroad trip, with seven MCC students from BIOL299: Service Learning in Costa Rica joining 14 Mid Michigan students from May 7 through 14. The group stayed at the Pacuare River Forest Reserve, a protected area in Costa Rica north of Limón. Students broke into groups and participated in various tasks throughout the week, including turtle night patrols, primate monitoring, beach cleanup, sanding and painting signs and “green work,” which included installing a garden and raking/cleanup around the camp. 

MCC Biology Instructor Heather Wesp led the trip and was pleased to see the students develop a deeper understanding of the science concepts through experiential learning. Students were able to see concepts such as predator/prey interactions, symbiosis, and biodiversity in action. 

“Seeing examples of concepts taught in the classroom lets me understand them in a different way and I am excited to bring them back and share them with future students and enrich their own learning experiences,” Wesp said. “Setting aside your typical life for a week is very freeing and it reminds you that the patterns you fall into do not have to be the only way things can happen.” 

Students studied sea turtle nesting activity during night patrols. One of the main draws was watching the female turtle emerge from the ocean, travel inland, dig a nest, and lay her eggs. Students would collect the eggs as they were being laid to place into a hatchery, measure the width and length of the carapace and tag the turtle’s rear flippers if no tags were present. Three different species of sea turtle are found in the area, but only leatherback turtles were actively laying eggs at this time. 

The primate monitoring sessions involved observing groups of primates and recording details about the encounter. Students were asked to identify the primate species, with the primary ones being Spider, Howler and Capuchin, identify the sex and approximate age, how many were present in the group and what behaviors they were displaying. 

In between their responsibilities, the students also had their fair share of fun going on rainforest hikes, playing soccer, enjoying the local dining and even participating in whitewater rafting toward the end of the trip. 

While the group dealt with hot temperatures, high humidity and a large amount of rainfall, students walked away from the experience with lifelong memories from an enriching cultural experience. Wesp noted that she saw many students try new things, step outside their comfort zone and push past their perceived limitations. 

“There is something very special about being in a culture so completely different from one’s own and realizing there is a much bigger world out there than Montcalm County,” Wesp said. “Students pick up on the differences right away, but it is also wonderful when they realize some of the commonalities they have with other people and cultures and develop an appreciation and respect for both the similarities and differences. 

“Travel gives students an opportunity to personally reflect on their own life and beliefs — and it would be very surprising if they don’t come back changed in some way,” she added. “Based on the conversations, journal entries, and presentation work I would say that all goals were accomplished.” 

Prior to the Costa Rica trip, MCC’s most recent study abroad trip was to India in 2018. Other previous study abroad trips include China (2015), Rome (2011), Florence and Pompeii (2011), London (2010) and Mexico (2009). MCC is actively increasing its efforts to offer more study abroad trips in the near future. Visit montcalm.edu/study-abroad for information on future trips.