Alexandros Alexiades writes about his experience in Costa Rica as part of the Ecology of the Tropics study abroad opportunity.
Ecology of the Tropics is a course offered to Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor students that culminates with a nine-day cruise to five different tropical ports around the Caribbean. Participants develop an increased appreciation for God’s creation through studying tropical ecosystems. Activities include kayaking, snorkeling, identifying tropical fish and sea turtles, rain forest hiking, and visiting cultural sites, forts, or museums.
CUW senior Alex Alexiades took the course last fall and traveled to Costa Rica/the Caribbean in January. He writes about his experience:
Alex’s experience
I was blessed with the chance to be part of Ecology of the Tropics, a highly immersive and interactive study abroad opportunity. The trip was split into 7 interactive days and 2 travel days encapsulating the true culture and biological components of Costa Rica.
The trip started off as a whole culture shock to a few students. We were, indeed, immersed in what the actual country had to offer. We resided in a beautiful eco-lodge where we were constantly surrounded by wildlife. From poison dart frogs, monkeys, bats, and the fauna, we were quickly getting accustomed to what it is like to live in the wild. This theme of immersion was present in the entirety of the trip as each day the class grew stronger and more comfortable together in a foreign place. The trip placed us in different ecosystems and, given that we were able to travel pretty much the entirety of one country, we really saw how the diversity in animals, plants, and people are in each respective region.
The price, initially, personally came off very steep with payments for a college student in consideration. However, looking back on the trip, the experience was highly worth the money. I am a very blunt person who calls things the way they are, and the Ecology of the Tropics trip was the best experience that I have ever been a part of. Being an environmental science student here at Concordia Wisconsin, it allowed me to see a larger part of the world and apply skills and mindsets which motivated me and to see life through a different culture.
I am very proud to have been part of the opportunity and even though there was a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiations with EF College Tours, Jonathan and Luis were excellent role models and navigators making the experience very intimate and catered to the class’s objectives. I highly recommend this trip again and pray that this testimony to run this class next year is enough to bless future students.
Learn more
Expand your horizons and your perspective. With more than 500 programs in 48 different countries, Concordia University’s Study Abroad department offers you the opportunity to see the world and experience new places and people.