Study Abroad Costa Rica

Santa Rosa National Park Santa Rosa National Park is Costa Rica's first official National Park as of 1971. It is located in the northwest corner of Guanacaste near Nicaragua and bordering the Pacific Ocean. This area of land is important in protecting much of Costa Rica's tropical dry forest. Tropical dry forests all over the world are important to protect because they are considered to be the most endangered ecosystem in the world. For most of the 1900s, the area of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula was used cattle pastures. Due to the increased demand for beef and subsidies from the World Bank, cattle farming was highly profitable and in high demand. By 1970, over 60% of the land in Guanacaste was used for cattle. Even after early years of establishment for the national park, the cattle pastures still harmed the environment, with over grazing, infertile soils, and forest fires. Today, the park and surrounding area is protected by the national parks service and Conserv

Hola! My study abroad department does a photo contest every year on Facebook. I submitted some of my photos from this trip and I would really appreciate if you go vote. Let the FB voting round begin! Vote by "liking" your favorite photos in each category on the WWU EdAbroad Facebook Page. There are 7 categories! https://www.facebook.com/pg/WWUEducationAbroad/photos/?tab=albums   As of 5pm on Monday, Nov. 25th, the review committee will select recipients based on "likes" in addition to a full selection committee review . Here are my entries: Best photography skills Academics Abroad: Most epic selfie: That Ah-Hah Moment: Viking Pride: Discovering Local Culture: International Places: Tell everyone you know (with a Facebook) to vote please!

For our mid semester break, there were a few options that we could do. 1) Travel to Bocas del Toro Panama. 2) Go to Cuba and earn some credits. 3)Plan a trip on your own. I went with the Cuba Field Study ooption which meant for five days, I would be studying in Cuba! Before the trip, we had an orientation on Sunday to go over all the details, rules, itinerary, and meet everyone who was going. There were five students from San Ramon, 3 students from the Puntarenas program, Don Carlos (the head of the program), two other USAC staff members, a couple, and someone from the State Department.  We were leaving by bus to head to the airport in San Jose at 2:00am, so everyone stayed in San Ramon for the night. A street in Old Havana. In the background is the rest of our group. Day 1: Arrival and Old Havana On the first day, we woke up bright at early at 1:30 a.m. to hop on a bus that would take us to the airport. After a very quick layover in the crowded Panama City airport, we