Today is July 26th and there are officially 26 days left in the countdown until I leave this great nation to go explore 2 new ones. I'm Costa Rica-bound first, where I'll spend time living in a research station in the middle of the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, and a few weeks as the guest of a host family. During my time at the field station I will do the most hands-on learning I've done since Animal Science 101 (SO to my livestock production loves, if any of you are reading). I'm told classes will take place during hikes, next to waterfalls, and up in the canopy of the rain forest. After I soak up as much as the Cloud Forest has to offer, I'll board a plane for Sarteneja, Belize. There I'll spend a month interning at a Manatee Rehabilitation and Rescue Center on the coast. I spent 2 weeks in Belize during high school and miss the country so much, I can't wait to get back!
I can't believe I only have a few weeks left until I leave my wonderful Wisconsin. Most of the time I only feel excited to just go, but every now and then my gut twists when I remember I have to leave you all for so long. I know the time will probably fly by faster than I want it to, but the idea of leaving everyone I love behind for this adventure is pretty intimidating. I feel like I still have too many loose ends to tie up--an apartment to move out of, supplies to pack, and I still have to choose a rain forest research topic for my semester project! But I suppose I do have 26 days to cross my t's and dot my i's...all right self, on your mark, get set, go!
