by rosalie cawley junior psychology major and spanish minor

By Rosalie Cawley

Junior Psychology major

and Spanish minor

2013 Summer Serve trip inCosta Rica

Osa

• Professor Morris, my co-students and I worked on trails connecting the water with the land at Osa.

• We layered rocks and gravel to make the trails more walkable.

More information on Osa: http://www.osaconservation.org/

Piro Biological Station at Osa

With Osa employees, we helped tag sea turtles who lay eggs on the beach.

It was an amazing experience!

Turtle Patrol at Piro Beach

Hike to a Waterfall at Osa

Wildlife: Our Anteater Friend!

Weekend Adventures!

Day in Puerto Jiménez, the town by Osa

Day at the beach

UGA in Costa Rica

For the second part of our service trip, we spent 6 nights in San Luis. We worked through University of Georgia’s Costa Rica campus near the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

The UGA campus

Sunset at the UGA Campus

UGA Costa Rica website: http://www.externalaffairs.uga.edu/costa_rica/

Homestay Experience in San Luis

We stayed with local families during our time in San Luis. My family was wonderful, and the experience really improved my Spanish skills!

Daniela, age 8

Kevin, age 5

Working on a Biodigester for a local family’s farm

• Biodigesters convert liquid pig waste into gas for cooking and organic fertilizer – a great solution for the environment and family farms alike.

Working on a Biodigester for a local family’s farm

More information: http://www.alterna-la.org/en/projects/biodigesters/

Building a rock wall to ensure the biodigester’s fit

The Finished Product!

The Leitón Farm, our work location

Nonvenomous snake, don’t worry!

Coffee and Chocolate, oh my! Coffee farm tour

Chocolate Factory Tour at Café Caburé

Beautiful Views

The clouds at night

Amazing Journey

Daytime view from La Trocha

My study abroad experience was incredible and unforgettable. I urge anyone who is considering studying abroad in Costa Rica to do so, because it expanded my worldview, allowed me to push myself beyond my comfort zone, and offered me adventures beyond my imagination. I am so thankful for this opportunity, which I would not have had without Lehigh’s Undergraduate Student International Co-Curricular Experiences Pilot Grant Program.

Fin (the end)