“I was fortunate enough to go on a once-in-a-lifetime field course to the Osa,” said Maggie, a civil engineering major with a minor in environmental science from Hurricane, West Virginia. “I was able to fully immerse myself in Costa Rica’s culture, nature and wildlife, which changed my perspective on the world around me.”
Maggie was one of 14 students who took part in Marshall’s Tropical Biology and Conservation Field Course, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. Over two weeks in June, students explored some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, from rainforest trails to beaches, while gaining a deep understanding of conservation, ecology and sustainability.
The course, held at Osa Conservation’s Piro Research Station in the Osa Peninsula, focused on field-based learning. Students worked side-by-side with Marshall faculty and Costa Rican scientists as they studied primate behavior, monitored sea turtles, and learned how communities in Costa Rica live in harmony with the land.
For Maggie, the trip was especially meaningful. As the only civil engineering student in the course, she brought a unique perspective—and took home a renewed sense of purpose.
“I am working toward becoming an environmental engineer focused on conservation and sustainability,” she said. “To be able to fully immerse myself in a country with such a green mindset was the part I enjoyed the most. I felt inspired to adopt some of these practices into my community.”
During the course, students participated in a range of research activities. Maggie helped track a group of howler monkeys to study unusual social behaviors, hiked through rainforest trails to collect habitat data and learned from a local primatologist about the region’s complex ecosystems.
But the academic rigor was balanced with awe-inspiring experiences. Maggie recalls one night in particular—hiking along Playa Piro under a star-filled sky for a sea turtle observation.
“There were no clouds or light pollution—it was breathtaking seeing the Milky Way for the first time,” she said. “The sand was bioluminescent due to the plankton from the ocean currents. We watched an olive ridley sea turtle lay about 100 eggs. We were able to measure and examine her while she laid eggs. It was one of the most magical things I’ve ever seen.”
The course also included cultural immersion. Students visited an organic chocolate farm and various national parks and spent time with the Indigenous Boruca tribe in the Costa Rican mountains. There, they learned traditional dances, painted ceremonial masks and gained a deeper appreciation for the region’s spiritual connection to nature.
“We were among the very few people who have seen the Boruca culture like we did,” Maggie said. “A tribal dance they performed showed us their relationship with nature and the mountain; showing us how everything—land, water, animals—is connected.”
Maggie first heard about the Costa Rica field course from a friend who had taken it the previous year. She was inspired to apply, even though she’d never studied abroad before.
“I would encourage other students to go on a study abroad course to step out of their comfort zones and broaden their horizons,” she said. You don’t just learn the coursework; you experience another country. I’ve made lifelong friends from this course.”
Back at Marshall, Maggie feels even more committed to her path. She’s grateful for the supportive professors who encourage her and the welcoming community that helps her grow.
“I’ve returned feeling more inspired, more connected to my goals as a future environmental engineer and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience Costa Rica’s vibrant ecosystems and culture firsthand.”
For Maggie Dickerson, Costa Rica wasn’t just a destination. It was a turning point—one that brought her closer to her dreams and deepened her connection to the world around her.
Learn more about study abroad opportunities and field courses at Marshall University at www.marshall.edu/studyabroad.
