Exceptions to the Argument
At the start of the research paper, all I felt was dread. I have never considered myself a great writer and therefore knew that I would face some challenges with the 20 or so page requirement. I also had very limited knowledge on my topic and was unsure of the direction I would take.
Despite these challenges, there have been many things I have learned throughout the process. One thing I discovered was that researching information is similar to peeling an onion. Every time a layer of information is peeled off, there is always another one lying beneath. There is always more research to be done, and it was frustrating at times to feel like I would never be able to grasp all aspects of my topic.
However, this also made me realize the mass of information that is at our fingertips. It is pretty amazing to google one keyword and have millions of results in seconds. I was surprised by the amount of studies I found based on the captivity of animals, and also by how much I was able to learn on this topic in such a short amount of time.
My research led to me to explore the validity of many current questions surrounding zoos. Some of these major questions include the effectiveness of zoo animal protection laws, the longevity of captive animals versus wild animals, the likelihood of accidents at zoos, the stereotypical behaviors of zoo animals and why they occur, as well as the impact zoos have on education, conservation and rehabilitation. I was hoping that this would lead me to a distinct conclusion of whether or not zoos are an ethical practice. But the research and studies prove that this is relatively hard to determine.
For example, in terms of longevity, studies have found that for 85% of the males and 83% of the females (average of 84% species analyzed) longevity was higher in zoos than in the wild. While this general statement is true, the authors note that whether a species benefits from captivity is also partly influenced by the species-specific pace of life. Animals with a faster pace pace of life tend to suffer from environmental factors in the wild that drive them towards mortality. This is especially due to predation, which zoos eliminate. On the other end, animals with a slower pace of life have lower reproduction rates, a longer gestation period and lower annual mortality. According to the study, these animals “... do not benefit as much from living in zoos in terms of survivorship, or even have a slightly reduced longevity and higher senescence rates, which might be attributable to an earlier onset of breeding in these species in a zoo setting” (Tidière).
This example shows that are exceptions for every argument, and therefore it can be hard to determine which side outweighs the other. Although the literature review has not led me to a clear answer, I am looking forward to surveying the public to see how their opinions propel the argument.
Despite these challenges, there have been many things I have learned throughout the process. One thing I discovered was that researching information is similar to peeling an onion. Every time a layer of information is peeled off, there is always another one lying beneath. There is always more research to be done, and it was frustrating at times to feel like I would never be able to grasp all aspects of my topic.
However, this also made me realize the mass of information that is at our fingertips. It is pretty amazing to google one keyword and have millions of results in seconds. I was surprised by the amount of studies I found based on the captivity of animals, and also by how much I was able to learn on this topic in such a short amount of time.
My research led to me to explore the validity of many current questions surrounding zoos. Some of these major questions include the effectiveness of zoo animal protection laws, the longevity of captive animals versus wild animals, the likelihood of accidents at zoos, the stereotypical behaviors of zoo animals and why they occur, as well as the impact zoos have on education, conservation and rehabilitation. I was hoping that this would lead me to a distinct conclusion of whether or not zoos are an ethical practice. But the research and studies prove that this is relatively hard to determine.
For example, in terms of longevity, studies have found that for 85% of the males and 83% of the females (average of 84% species analyzed) longevity was higher in zoos than in the wild. While this general statement is true, the authors note that whether a species benefits from captivity is also partly influenced by the species-specific pace of life. Animals with a faster pace pace of life tend to suffer from environmental factors in the wild that drive them towards mortality. This is especially due to predation, which zoos eliminate. On the other end, animals with a slower pace of life have lower reproduction rates, a longer gestation period and lower annual mortality. According to the study, these animals “... do not benefit as much from living in zoos in terms of survivorship, or even have a slightly reduced longevity and higher senescence rates, which might be attributable to an earlier onset of breeding in these species in a zoo setting” (Tidière).
This example shows that are exceptions for every argument, and therefore it can be hard to determine which side outweighs the other. Although the literature review has not led me to a clear answer, I am looking forward to surveying the public to see how their opinions propel the argument.
Delayed Start
In my previous blog post I shed some light as to how I decided on my research topic. Although I am relieved to say that I have not changed my topic completely (woo-hoo!), my direction has changed slightly.
In my last post, I explained how many people have the preconception that zoos are entirely cruel and inhumane. I then provided information to prove that this might not be entirely true, as zoos have made many advancements since they first came about, have saved multiple species from extinction and serve an educational purpose. While this is certainly true, I have learned through my research that whether zoos are so-called “good” or “bad” isn’t as simple as one would initially think. There are definitely two sides to the argument, each barring some merit. So instead of focusing my research on one side of the argument, I have shifted my focus to the exploration of the question: “Are zoos ethical or not?”
One aspect of zoos that is an area of concern is the appearance of abnormal behaviors in zoo animals. This is believed to be caused by inadequate enclosures that do not cater to the species-specific needs of the animal.
Abnormal behaviors includes stereotypical behavior, which according to www.bornfree.org are “repetitive behaviours which appear to have no obvious goal or function.” This website outlines the basic stereotypical behaviors of captive animals such as pacing/circling, bar-biting, neck twisting, head bobbing, rocking and self-mutilation. There are also videos so zoo-goers can recognize each behavior.
Another common stereotypical behavior is apathy where an animal shows little interest to stimuli. There can be abnormal mother-infant relationship where mothers kill, attack or abandon their young. Finally, abnormal aggressive behavior has been recorded where animal aggression is uncontrolled and directed at wrong individuals. Captive animals commonly display one or more of these behaviors, clearly showing that many of them are in distress.
Another apparent benefit from zoos is that they promote conservation. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, also known as the AZA, is a non-profit organization that works towards the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the area of conservation. The AZA has certified 214 U.S. institutions according to their guidelines, but that is less than half of the amount of zoos nationwide. Looking at these numbers, it is evident that there might not be as many zoos working towards conservation as one might think.
As proven by some of these stereotypical behaviors and by the lack of zoos working towards conservation, there are still many issues that zoos must find solutions to. I do not clearly see a clear answer as to whether or not zoos are ethical, but I am hoping to figure that along the way as I continue researching this topic. There is still a lot of interesting aspects to explore with this topic, and I am particularly interested in researching how much zoos actually contribute to conservation and what rules/regulations ensure the safety of zoo animals. I also plan to research the benefits of animal sanctuaries or conservatories over zoos. I think that this could potentially be a good alternative to keeping captive animals in zoos.
In my last post, I explained how many people have the preconception that zoos are entirely cruel and inhumane. I then provided information to prove that this might not be entirely true, as zoos have made many advancements since they first came about, have saved multiple species from extinction and serve an educational purpose. While this is certainly true, I have learned through my research that whether zoos are so-called “good” or “bad” isn’t as simple as one would initially think. There are definitely two sides to the argument, each barring some merit. So instead of focusing my research on one side of the argument, I have shifted my focus to the exploration of the question: “Are zoos ethical or not?”
One aspect of zoos that is an area of concern is the appearance of abnormal behaviors in zoo animals. This is believed to be caused by inadequate enclosures that do not cater to the species-specific needs of the animal.
Abnormal behaviors includes stereotypical behavior, which according to www.bornfree.org are “repetitive behaviours which appear to have no obvious goal or function.” This website outlines the basic stereotypical behaviors of captive animals such as pacing/circling, bar-biting, neck twisting, head bobbing, rocking and self-mutilation. There are also videos so zoo-goers can recognize each behavior.
Another common stereotypical behavior is apathy where an animal shows little interest to stimuli. There can be abnormal mother-infant relationship where mothers kill, attack or abandon their young. Finally, abnormal aggressive behavior has been recorded where animal aggression is uncontrolled and directed at wrong individuals. Captive animals commonly display one or more of these behaviors, clearly showing that many of them are in distress.
Another apparent benefit from zoos is that they promote conservation. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, also known as the AZA, is a non-profit organization that works towards the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the area of conservation. The AZA has certified 214 U.S. institutions according to their guidelines, but that is less than half of the amount of zoos nationwide. Looking at these numbers, it is evident that there might not be as many zoos working towards conservation as one might think.
As proven by some of these stereotypical behaviors and by the lack of zoos working towards conservation, there are still many issues that zoos must find solutions to. I do not clearly see a clear answer as to whether or not zoos are ethical, but I am hoping to figure that along the way as I continue researching this topic. There is still a lot of interesting aspects to explore with this topic, and I am particularly interested in researching how much zoos actually contribute to conservation and what rules/regulations ensure the safety of zoo animals. I also plan to research the benefits of animal sanctuaries or conservatories over zoos. I think that this could potentially be a good alternative to keeping captive animals in zoos.
Delayed Start
I tend to be a very indecisive person, so it was no surprise to me that I have had a hard time committing to a topic for our research paper. In my previous blog post, I talked about my plans to research the effects of foreign aid. As I started my research, however, I fell down a rabbit-hole of government policies and regulations. I found it difficult to decipher through what I was reading as I looked up every other word in order to determine its context within the passage. Although the topic interested me, I quickly realized how the jargon of foreign aid might be too complex for me to understand throughout the assignment.
So I found myself back at square one. Looking for inspiration, I began sifting through lists of potential research topics hoping that an idea would jump out at me. There were a few topics I pursued, but after brief research I decided that it would not be something I would want to talk about for thirty or so pages.
I didn’t believe that picking a topic would be the hardest task of the research paper; I was more intimidated by the immense amount of research that needed to be done. But there I was, stuck on the first part of the assignment like Ms. Aeschliman and the textbook said I might possibly be.
As I continued to flip-flop on my ideas, I decided to think back about how I found my original idea. I first learned about foreign aid from a documentary I watched (linked in my previous blog post), so I then started thinking about other documentaries I’ve seen or heard about.
By brainstorming documentaries, I was eventually led to the idea of animal captivity and whether it’s ethical or not.
I believe that many people might have the tendency at first to say that animal captivity is bad, picturing lions at a zoo aimlessly pacing their enclosures or seals bouncing balls on the tips of their noses. Zoos have a history of suffering animals, poor treatment, and unfit environments, and are therefore seen as a punishment for the animals that live there.
However, a closer examination shows that placing animals in captivity might not be as cruel as one would think. Zoos have made many advancements since they first came about, have saved multiple species from extinction and serve an educational purpose. I plan to expand on each of these key points as I continue my research.
By switching to this topic, I think I have created a broader audience for my research paper. Many people have first-hand experience at a zoo, and I believe this will be helpful when I start in-depth research. I also think that this will hold my interest longer than some of the other ideas I had considered.
Although the process of picking my topic was lengthy, I believe that I have finally decided on the direction my paper will take. Here’s to hoping the rest of the paper will go smoothly!
So I found myself back at square one. Looking for inspiration, I began sifting through lists of potential research topics hoping that an idea would jump out at me. There were a few topics I pursued, but after brief research I decided that it would not be something I would want to talk about for thirty or so pages.
I didn’t believe that picking a topic would be the hardest task of the research paper; I was more intimidated by the immense amount of research that needed to be done. But there I was, stuck on the first part of the assignment like Ms. Aeschliman and the textbook said I might possibly be.
As I continued to flip-flop on my ideas, I decided to think back about how I found my original idea. I first learned about foreign aid from a documentary I watched (linked in my previous blog post), so I then started thinking about other documentaries I’ve seen or heard about.
By brainstorming documentaries, I was eventually led to the idea of animal captivity and whether it’s ethical or not.
I believe that many people might have the tendency at first to say that animal captivity is bad, picturing lions at a zoo aimlessly pacing their enclosures or seals bouncing balls on the tips of their noses. Zoos have a history of suffering animals, poor treatment, and unfit environments, and are therefore seen as a punishment for the animals that live there.
However, a closer examination shows that placing animals in captivity might not be as cruel as one would think. Zoos have made many advancements since they first came about, have saved multiple species from extinction and serve an educational purpose. I plan to expand on each of these key points as I continue my research.
By switching to this topic, I think I have created a broader audience for my research paper. Many people have first-hand experience at a zoo, and I believe this will be helpful when I start in-depth research. I also think that this will hold my interest longer than some of the other ideas I had considered.
Although the process of picking my topic was lengthy, I believe that I have finally decided on the direction my paper will take. Here’s to hoping the rest of the paper will go smoothly!
A World Upside-Down
I've always loved documentaries, particularly the ones that challenge thoughts and ideas you once were certain with. I find it thrilling to explore the flip-side of a situation, like when you feel like you've entered the matrix. I've watched a good amount of documentaries over the years, but there have only been one or two that have especially stuck with me. A documentary that has really made me eager to consider the alternative was one I watched while on my trip of Costa Rica. You can find the documentary here.
This documentary was centered around foreign aid, but not in the way one would expect. Instead of viewing aid as a saving grace to poor countries, the documentary focused on how this "help" can sometimes do more harm. This concept struck me, as I had always thought I was doing a good deed whenever I donated food or articles of clothing to these impoverished countries. But as the documentary continued on, I began to understand the many flaws within the system.
One aspect that I had not considered was the importance of the economic relationship between the government and its people. Foreign aid can sometimes strip away this relationship, and here's why. A government is funded heavily on the tax money collected from its citizens. Therefore, the citizens have some control over their government. However, when the government stops relying on money taken from its citizens, and is instead receiving the money from an outside source, this leaves a government less accountable to its people.
On top of this, it is important to look at how foreign aid affects the people directly. We can take the commonly donated food rice for example. This product is a staple when it comes to non-perishable food items and is often sent as food aid. Many people are quick to think that by sending these bags of rice they are going to be helping solve world hunger. However, as the documentary points out, many don't consider how the free rice could potentially damage the country's economy. In the countries receiving the donated rice, the overflow of free rice can be extremely detrimental to the farmers who rely on that market. The farmers may be forced to decrease their prices in order to compensate for the surplus of rice.
In many cases, sending aid doesn't promote business, it only drags countries deeper into a revolving cycle of dependency.
This concept sparked my interest in the effects of foreign aid, and has led me to develop a more critical view of the world around me.
This documentary was centered around foreign aid, but not in the way one would expect. Instead of viewing aid as a saving grace to poor countries, the documentary focused on how this "help" can sometimes do more harm. This concept struck me, as I had always thought I was doing a good deed whenever I donated food or articles of clothing to these impoverished countries. But as the documentary continued on, I began to understand the many flaws within the system.
One aspect that I had not considered was the importance of the economic relationship between the government and its people. Foreign aid can sometimes strip away this relationship, and here's why. A government is funded heavily on the tax money collected from its citizens. Therefore, the citizens have some control over their government. However, when the government stops relying on money taken from its citizens, and is instead receiving the money from an outside source, this leaves a government less accountable to its people.
On top of this, it is important to look at how foreign aid affects the people directly. We can take the commonly donated food rice for example. This product is a staple when it comes to non-perishable food items and is often sent as food aid. Many people are quick to think that by sending these bags of rice they are going to be helping solve world hunger. However, as the documentary points out, many don't consider how the free rice could potentially damage the country's economy. In the countries receiving the donated rice, the overflow of free rice can be extremely detrimental to the farmers who rely on that market. The farmers may be forced to decrease their prices in order to compensate for the surplus of rice.
In many cases, sending aid doesn't promote business, it only drags countries deeper into a revolving cycle of dependency.
This concept sparked my interest in the effects of foreign aid, and has led me to develop a more critical view of the world around me.
Senior Year Struggles
Going into my senior year, I didn't expect the biggest challenge I would face would be a 9 year old girl with a freckled face and sparkly shoes.
But yes, even compared to the eleven college applications I filled out, and the five essays I've had to write, that little girl has given me the most trouble out of them all.
When I agreed to babysit after school everyday, I knew some days would be better than others. But, I've spent many years babysitting and felt comfortable that I would be able to handle what I had ahead of me. For the most part that has been true. I have had many great days with the kids I babysit, and we have made a lot of great memories that I will keep. But there have definitely been a few occasions where my patience has been tested. Let's take the other day as an example.
The girl I babysit after school, let's call her Sophia, had hockey practice. So my job was to help get her ready beforehand. Sounds fairly simple, right? Well, not in this case. Sophia decided she was not in the mood to go to hockey practice that day, and therefore did everything in her power to avoid getting ready.
Something as simple as getting her shoes on turned into a fight. I would repeat to her, "Sophia, can you please get your shoes on for me?" over and over, but I would only get silence in return. After over five minutes of nagging, and just as I felt the last of my patience drain, she finally gave in. The shoes were on! But that victory was short-lived, because the next challenge was to get the shoes tied.
After going through all of the hassle to get her shoes on, Sophia refused to tie them. Her argument was that her family didn't believe in tying shoes, which I did not buy. By this point I was tired though, so I decided to tie her shoes for her. I thought the struggle was over once the shoes were on and tied, but as I stood up to admire my work, Sophia reached down and untied her shoes with a smirk on her face.
I won't go into details of how the situation was handled for the sake of boring you, but if you do happen to be interested you can look at some of the pointers I used from this site. I was able to solve the issue and get Sophia completely ready for hockey, only to find out five minutes later that practice had actually been cancelled.
As difficult as days like this can be, I have learned to take this job as learning opportunity. I have certainly learned a lot more about responsibility and patience through it, so I am thankful for that.
But yes, even compared to the eleven college applications I filled out, and the five essays I've had to write, that little girl has given me the most trouble out of them all.
When I agreed to babysit after school everyday, I knew some days would be better than others. But, I've spent many years babysitting and felt comfortable that I would be able to handle what I had ahead of me. For the most part that has been true. I have had many great days with the kids I babysit, and we have made a lot of great memories that I will keep. But there have definitely been a few occasions where my patience has been tested. Let's take the other day as an example.
The girl I babysit after school, let's call her Sophia, had hockey practice. So my job was to help get her ready beforehand. Sounds fairly simple, right? Well, not in this case. Sophia decided she was not in the mood to go to hockey practice that day, and therefore did everything in her power to avoid getting ready.
Something as simple as getting her shoes on turned into a fight. I would repeat to her, "Sophia, can you please get your shoes on for me?" over and over, but I would only get silence in return. After over five minutes of nagging, and just as I felt the last of my patience drain, she finally gave in. The shoes were on! But that victory was short-lived, because the next challenge was to get the shoes tied.
After going through all of the hassle to get her shoes on, Sophia refused to tie them. Her argument was that her family didn't believe in tying shoes, which I did not buy. By this point I was tired though, so I decided to tie her shoes for her. I thought the struggle was over once the shoes were on and tied, but as I stood up to admire my work, Sophia reached down and untied her shoes with a smirk on her face.
I won't go into details of how the situation was handled for the sake of boring you, but if you do happen to be interested you can look at some of the pointers I used from this site. I was able to solve the issue and get Sophia completely ready for hockey, only to find out five minutes later that practice had actually been cancelled.
As difficult as days like this can be, I have learned to take this job as learning opportunity. I have certainly learned a lot more about responsibility and patience through it, so I am thankful for that.
Roll Eags
I've been going to the football games at the high school for the longest time.
As embarrassing as it is, I started going to the games as one of those middle schoolers you always see. I would run around underneath the bleachers with one of those suckers in hand, barely paying any attention to the game itself.
I continued going to the games once I reached high school, but instead moved up to watch the game in the student section. I say student section, but that’s only if you count the very top of the bleachers as being still part of the student. As I paid my dues up in the nosebleeds, I remember dreaming about the day when I would finally make it to the front. It always looked like the upperclassmen were having the time of their lives up there, but it felt unreal to me that I would ever be in their place. But time flew by faster than I had imagined, as it always does, and so in the front is where I have found myself during the football games this season - and I think it has been the best season yet.
To be completely honest, last year I barely knew a thing about football.
I know I just mentioned that I had been going to games since middle school, but it was mainly for the social aspect. I went to hang out with my friends, and to talk to people I wouldn't normally talk to out of school. Although that is still a major aspect of the games for me, this year is the first year that I have actually bothered to watch the game. I used to think that football was boring, but that was because I didn't understand it. Now that I have been able to follow the game, it has made each one more and more exciting. This is especially true since our team has been doing so well. Every play made and touchdown scored has taught me more about the sport and has made me more eager to see if our Eagles can make it to a state title.
I think that football has been one of the most memorable parts of my time during high school. It’s a special thing to be in the crowd, cheering with, and for, people you truly care about. I have been trying my best to savor those moments, knowing that there will probably be a time in the future when I will wish that I could go back. I’m not sure if it is true that high school is the best years of your life, but I’m trying to appreciate each and every aspect of my senior year as if it was the best of my years to come. I sincerely hope that my peers do the same.
It doesn’t matter if you hate Dunlap or love it, this is the place that connects us all, and I think that this year is one of the years I am most proud to call it home.
As embarrassing as it is, I started going to the games as one of those middle schoolers you always see. I would run around underneath the bleachers with one of those suckers in hand, barely paying any attention to the game itself.
I continued going to the games once I reached high school, but instead moved up to watch the game in the student section. I say student section, but that’s only if you count the very top of the bleachers as being still part of the student. As I paid my dues up in the nosebleeds, I remember dreaming about the day when I would finally make it to the front. It always looked like the upperclassmen were having the time of their lives up there, but it felt unreal to me that I would ever be in their place. But time flew by faster than I had imagined, as it always does, and so in the front is where I have found myself during the football games this season - and I think it has been the best season yet.
To be completely honest, last year I barely knew a thing about football.
I know I just mentioned that I had been going to games since middle school, but it was mainly for the social aspect. I went to hang out with my friends, and to talk to people I wouldn't normally talk to out of school. Although that is still a major aspect of the games for me, this year is the first year that I have actually bothered to watch the game. I used to think that football was boring, but that was because I didn't understand it. Now that I have been able to follow the game, it has made each one more and more exciting. This is especially true since our team has been doing so well. Every play made and touchdown scored has taught me more about the sport and has made me more eager to see if our Eagles can make it to a state title.
I think that football has been one of the most memorable parts of my time during high school. It’s a special thing to be in the crowd, cheering with, and for, people you truly care about. I have been trying my best to savor those moments, knowing that there will probably be a time in the future when I will wish that I could go back. I’m not sure if it is true that high school is the best years of your life, but I’m trying to appreciate each and every aspect of my senior year as if it was the best of my years to come. I sincerely hope that my peers do the same.
It doesn’t matter if you hate Dunlap or love it, this is the place that connects us all, and I think that this year is one of the years I am most proud to call it home.
A Trip of a Lifetime?
The spring of 2017 an idea popped into my head- I was going to travel abroad. I didn't know how, or when, or where, but I was determined to stop wishing for the experience I wanted, and instead take action. So I began my search.
I started my research with money, time and safety being the main obstacles. I spent countless hours hunched over my laptop in coffee shops around town looking for the right trip. It turned out to be much harder than I thought. After searching, and searching, and searching, I finally found a trip to make my dreams come true.
But in reality, my trip didn't end up being as glamorous as I had imagined.
My issues first began on the flight to Costa Rica. I felt slightly anxious at the beginning of the flight, as this was my first experience with international travel. However, my nerves quickly settled after take off. All I felt was excitement for what was to come! I hadn't been on the plane for more than 20 minutes when we started to face extreme turbulence. There were many instances in which the plane started to violently shake, and at one point I flew up off of my seat and the flight attendance fell. It was the worst flight I had ever been on, but I tried not to let this set a precedence of how my trip would go.
After we had safely landed, a bus of students and I made our way to our home base located in Parrita. This was when I ran into my second problem. One of the first things we did when we arrived was divide into groups for our service project.
I intended to make an insurmountable impact through service. Perhaps I would teach local school children English, and bond with them over nursery rhymes and piggyback rides. Maybe I would be in charge of surveying sea turtle eggs as they hatched and scuttled into the sea. But instead I was stuck picking weeds and shoveling dirt.
Saying I was disappointed is an understatement. Here I was, so pumped and excited to finally make a difference and see what the world had to offer me... only to realize I was going to garden for my entire trip. And I'm not exaggerating. I literally spent my 10 days in Costa Rica planting seedlings into what seemed like a billion plastic bags. All I could think about was how I was possibly going to solve world hunger while being stuck in the back of a Costa Rican lodge.
But as the week continued on, my disappointment lessened. My team and I worked on building tree saplings a sustainable home where they could spend their vulnerable first few years. In talking to the natives, I learned the crucial role the coastal plants played in delaying erosion from the Pacific Ocean.
Although I faced some hiccups along the way, my trip to Costa Rica taught me some valuable lessons I plan to keep for the future. I learned that sometimes the biggest differences are due to smaller contributions, and most importantly, never to fly Spirit again.
I started my research with money, time and safety being the main obstacles. I spent countless hours hunched over my laptop in coffee shops around town looking for the right trip. It turned out to be much harder than I thought. After searching, and searching, and searching, I finally found a trip to make my dreams come true.
But in reality, my trip didn't end up being as glamorous as I had imagined.
My issues first began on the flight to Costa Rica. I felt slightly anxious at the beginning of the flight, as this was my first experience with international travel. However, my nerves quickly settled after take off. All I felt was excitement for what was to come! I hadn't been on the plane for more than 20 minutes when we started to face extreme turbulence. There were many instances in which the plane started to violently shake, and at one point I flew up off of my seat and the flight attendance fell. It was the worst flight I had ever been on, but I tried not to let this set a precedence of how my trip would go.
After we had safely landed, a bus of students and I made our way to our home base located in Parrita. This was when I ran into my second problem. One of the first things we did when we arrived was divide into groups for our service project.
I intended to make an insurmountable impact through service. Perhaps I would teach local school children English, and bond with them over nursery rhymes and piggyback rides. Maybe I would be in charge of surveying sea turtle eggs as they hatched and scuttled into the sea. But instead I was stuck picking weeds and shoveling dirt.
Saying I was disappointed is an understatement. Here I was, so pumped and excited to finally make a difference and see what the world had to offer me... only to realize I was going to garden for my entire trip. And I'm not exaggerating. I literally spent my 10 days in Costa Rica planting seedlings into what seemed like a billion plastic bags. All I could think about was how I was possibly going to solve world hunger while being stuck in the back of a Costa Rican lodge.
But as the week continued on, my disappointment lessened. My team and I worked on building tree saplings a sustainable home where they could spend their vulnerable first few years. In talking to the natives, I learned the crucial role the coastal plants played in delaying erosion from the Pacific Ocean.
Although I faced some hiccups along the way, my trip to Costa Rica taught me some valuable lessons I plan to keep for the future. I learned that sometimes the biggest differences are due to smaller contributions, and most importantly, never to fly Spirit again.
Authenticity means erasing the gap between what you firmly believe inside and what you reveal to the outside world" |