By: Cole Beiner
In less than a month, I’ll be boarding a plane to Costa Rica to begin my first independent research project in my time at FSU. I’ve spent the past year researching sustainable agriculture, water quality, and environmental stewardship, and now this summer, I’ll have the opportunity to step outside the classroom and immerse myself in a community where many of these concepts are practiced every day.
I’ll be living and working at Finca Cattleya, an agricultural farm in the Osa Peninsula region of Costa Rica. My work will focus on organic agriculture and learning from local and indigenous approaches to farming.
With my departure date of June 28 approaching, I’m taking some time to reflect on what I want to gain from this experience.
3 Things I Want to Do
1. Learn from farmers and community members
So far, my knowledge of agriculture has been guided primarily by textbooks, scientific papers, and classroom discussions. This summer, I want to learn from those whose knowledge comes from generations of lived experience.
2. Improve my Spanish through daily use
I studied Spanish in high school but haven’t really practiced it or maintained it in recent years. Living in Costa Rica with a host family that only speaks spanish will challenge me to communicate in spanish every day. Beyond language itself, improving my spanish will allow me to engage more deeply with the people I encounter during my stay and understand perspectives that may not always be captured through translation.
3. Explore Costa Rica’s biodiversity
As someone passionate about environmental science, I am excited to experience one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Whether it’s observing tropical plants, birds, insects, or simply walking through the rainforest, I hope to gain a greater appreciation for the ecosystems that support both local communities and global environmental health.
2 Skills I Want to Develop
1. Cross-cultural communication
This summer will provide countless opportunities to practice listening, asking thoughtful questions, and engaging respectfully with people whose experiences may differ greatly from my own. As someone who hopes to work internationally in agriculture and environmental education/policy in the future, this skill will be invaluable.
2. Adaptability
I’m assuming Costa Rica will be very different from my daily life in Florida. I’ll be living in a rural setting with limited internet access, different routines, and unfamiliar challenges. Learning how to adapt to new environments, solve problems creatively, and remain flexible are all skills I hope to develop during my stay.
1 Thing That Captures How I’m Feeling
A quote that has been on my mind recently comes from a Chinese philosopher named Lao Tzu:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
I like this quote because it reminds me that meaningful growth doesn’t happen all at once. My long-term goal is to work in agricultural research and education, and while that goal may feel distant at times, this summer represents one of the first major steps toward it.
Right now, I feel excited yet nervous. I know there will be challenges, but I also know that this uncomfortability will help me grow.
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