by Elisa Spano | Continuing Graduate Status | Class of 2022
Academic Term of Essay Subject: Summer Term 2022
How could I decide amongst all the wonderful opportunities Earth Expeditions had to offer? After surveying friends and families regarding my options, I contemplated my choices one more time and placed them in order. Although exciting, this made me a bit nervous. It was a pivotal moment that would ultimately determine how my summer would proceed and beyond. As my Namibia course two years ago would not come to fruition, this would be my first study abroad in almost twenty years. I knew this chance would make a significant impact on my life and I was completely ready for its unveiling.
Upon receiving my decision, I waited until I arrived home to open the email. It read Belize II. I breathed a sigh of relief as this location had been my first choice this year. However, my desire was to attend the third session later in the month. As a teacher in New York, session two did not lend itself to much time after the end of school. I would only have one week to fully dedicate to preparing for my journey. Although I was offered to switch to the later session, I knew the right decision had been made for me. And as I would come to find out, it truly was meant to be.
My enthusiasm for delving into science with some new classmates quickly cultivated itself even before our field work came to life. Simple online interactions with classmates built the foundation for our quickly approaching in-person experience. I was innately happy to once again be on the student side of the learning process. Reading, writing, conversation and community were exactly what I had been needing and had come to find with this class.
The impossible task of packing a copious amount of required items into my new, condensed pieces of luggage eventually transformed itself into a beaming success. Accomplishing this feat along with independently making my way to the airport initiated a sense of pride which accompanied the beginning of my physical journey. The anxiety subsided, overtaken by appreciation for this opportunity. At the airport, the bonding began as I had the privilege of sharing my flight to Belize with my instructor and two of my classmates. Upon arrival, this immediate connection revealed itself as though it had always existed. I could feel an unspoken synchronization among our group members, which would indeed last throughout our time together. This connection was indeed an irreplaceable commodity, fostering this memorable experience.
Although we had been settled in for perhaps only twenty-four hours, my classmates and I agreed it felt as though we had already spent days or even a week at the Tropical Education Center. It embodied home with such welcoming hospitality by the partners and the staff. The brimming schedule required diligence and yet time seemed to stand still. Moments proceed much more slowly in nature and I know we were all grateful for this unprecedented perception. A nighttime tour of the Belize Zoo started our adventure and left each of us mesmerized by all the stunning native creatures- jaguars, tapirs and leaf-cutter ants. I was in disbelief that I had finally made it to my Earth Expeditions course as it seemed surreal and my classmates expressed the same. And, disconnecting from life at home enabled all of us to develop relationships with the people, the animals and the precious environment in which we found ourselves enveloped.
In addition to the new environmental knowledge I acquired, the emotional connections have remained steadfast since my journey. A sense of awe struck me while observing spider monkeys defending their territory, baboons carrying their infants as they climbed past me on a tree branch and parrots flying free in their natural habitat. Reverence emerged for the amazing speakers who embody dedication and generously gave of their time to impart their meaningful messages. Appreciation welled within me as I witnessed community-based conservation in action. Serenity endured as culture and history both attended our afternoon at the Mayan ruins. And simple joy seemed to abound as I was able to experience all of these feelings with a fantastic group of individuals I now call friends.
My new community has continued its communication and enlightening recollections of our time together abroad. I have been able to share stories with many new confidants and have even traveled across the country to embark on more adventures. My Earth Expeditions experience has truly been a blessing and one for which I am ever so grateful.