I have been home for over a week, but my mind is still returning from Costa Rica. Yesterday I found myself reminiscing to my dog (in Spanish) and then scolding him (in Spanish) for not listening. I went to Zumba class the other day and broke down when Bachata music (I learned how to dance to it in Costa Rica) started playing. But now that I’m stable enough to listen to Latin music, I think it’s time to reflect and appreciate some of the best two months of my life. EARTH Univ

While I have endless memories from EARTH, my blog would be incomplete if I didn’t talk about the equally beautiful and chaotic memories made outside of EARTH – always racing to catch the bus, partying like a Bananero (Banana worker), hiking up mountains and sliding down waterfalls (las cascatas), cozying up by the fire, picnic lunches surrounded by dogs, and more. In order to find a start, I will recall my last few weekends in chronological order, starting with my first trip

Did you know - when using a dough press to make empanadas, you need to separate the dough from the press with a plastic covering, or else it will PERMANENTLY stick? Oops. My friends invited me to make empanadas (secretly, using borrowed pans) in the dorms, and fully aware of my inability to cook, I sped over to help “cook” (eat) the savory, post-dinner treat. I had no trouble stirring the chili dip in the pan and kneading the dough for the shell. But I was a bit overconfide

We bustled into the Spanish room chomping on trail mix and plantain chips and expecting another subjunctive lecture. But instead, the professor dimmed the lights and flicked on the projector. You can imagine our surprise when an emotional singer appeared on screen, strumming his guitar and holding back tears while singing his song “El Hubiera No Existe” (“I had” doesn’t exist). We stopped mid-chew and perked up our ears to find out why he was crying. Some key lyrics: “ Si n

I used to think the tree pruning process involved a pair of cute hand-held clippers; baby branches; an oversized gardening hat; colorful gardening gloves; and a bright, blue sky. Let me tell you, this is NOT the case when it comes to pruning Cacao trees. My recollection of the Cacoa pruning process: a crackling noise… a harsh snap BOOM! One of the largest branches fell from high above my head, nearly missing my ear. Through the new clearing, rain pattered off of my head

It was just another work experience day. I expected to spend the morning upturning compost piles and measuring the height of my lettuce with Fhernando. But when we reached the compost canopy, there were sheep EVERYWHERE, pooping, trampling on the compost, gorging on dried corn cobs, and having the time of their lives. There is no better visual to describe Hobbe’s state of nature – fiesta de ovejas (sheep party). (Sheep on the Loose - 06/29/24) But on this day, I learned shee

Picture this: You are out on the farm (the integrated organic farm). You go to use the bathroom, a little metal shack with the only glimpse of light from an opening near the ceiling. After you finish, you attempt to nudge the door open. Nothing happens. So you push the door harder. Nothing happens. You brace your body and push on the door with all your might. Nothing happens. You plan to shout out “I’m stuck” for help, but you don’t know the word “stuck” (atascada) in Spanis

Wow, this week has been an adventure. It began with the loco-ness of formulating a research project and ended with a bike ride through the jungle during a rainstorm in short shorts without bug spray and a tire that randomly detached from my friend’s bike 6 miles in. I love it here. (Broken Bike - 06/15/24) Here at EARTH, students are BUSY, having classes and work experience from Monday to Saturday. But even though the days start earlier (classes typically start at 6:30 AM) a

Saturday: Work Experience Day, or morning (mañana). Every Saturday and Wednesday morning, at 6:30 AM, most EARTH students bike to different farms and fields to work for experience in their desired areas. Fio goes to work with animals (specifically buffalos), but other students work in the food processing center, on the banana plantation, in the genetics lab, etc. At the moment, I do not participate in this program, so I pretty much had the campus to myself this first Saturday

(Fio and I - 06/03/34) Hi! My name is Lily Hestjean, and I’m thrilled to call myself the 2024 Borlaug-Ruan Intern at EARTH University...