Submitted by Alexandra Lebeau on the 2017 winter session study abroad program in Costa Rica and Panama sponsored by the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology…
Imagine hanging out a table while you work on various assignments, and seeing two little eyes peering up at you from the tablecloth. This is the story behind this image, as another student pointed out this tree frog hanging out with us. It was so inconspicuous that had I not been shown it, I would never have known it was there. It was crouched behind the salt and pepper shakers, next to the napkin dispenser. My study abroad experience in Costa Rica has continuously showed me how nature can make an appearance in even the most basic parts of your life. Exotic species, such as toucans, scarlet macaws, agoutis, and even tree frogs cross your path and enter your daily life. I have had a scorpion decide it also needed to be clean as I was showering, and it decided to skim by my foot. I’ve also been woken up to the sound of howler monkeys calling to each other at 5:30 am. It’s incredible that many of the species that I learn about in the classroom at the University of Delaware can become so ingrained in my daily life while in Costa Rica and Panama. It’s a completely unique way to immerse myself in what I discuss while sitting behind a wooden desk. As those little eyes blinked at me, I couldn’t help, but be in awe at the tiny life in front of me. For those that live here, it must be such a mundane occurrence to have small amphibians frequent the tables and furniture you lounge in. But for me, I immediately take out my camera to capture this moment. In my previous post, I mentioned the respect I have for the Costa Ricans and the Panamanians who devote their lives to educating tourists about the wildlife they consider special. In a way, this is another example of the respect between humans and nature, and further proof that the two are able to coexist. The habitat is incorporated into places where humans reside, and a hint of wildness is able to remain. I am extremely fortunate to experience what it is like to live within the environment for a month, instead of on the outskirts. The wildlife, such as this tiny tree frog, can benefit from man-made creations, while we benefit from the resources derived from the land. I really hope that I am able to take what I have experienced on this program and translate it into daily life. I would like to develop ways that humans in the United States can coexist with the environment around us. It’s so indescribable to feel like a part of the forest, and I hope that I can help to discover ways for nature and humans to live together amicably.