This is the first in a series of blogs written by our summer interns from Lehigh University (USA).
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My name is Nijayah Michél, one of two interns currently working with the Monteverde Conservation League. I am here in Costa Rica to help out the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, spread awareness, and learn firsthand about its mission and why it was founded. I hope I can use this trip to further my knowledge of nature and wildlife. I am a Sociology major, Spanish and Latin American Studies double minor at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, USA. I am originally from New Jersey. We are starting our second week here at the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (also known as the BEN after the Spanish name, Bosque Eterno de los Niños). I am very excited to be interning with the BEN and learning about the organization as a whole and what ways we can spread awareness while we are here.
The first week was pretty calm. We arrived in Monteverde and met up with our host families. I am really enjoying staying with a host family, and they are very sweet and caring. I am glad I am able to do a homestay because it is a great way to improve my Spanish and learn firsthand about the Costa Rican culture.
During the first week, we took a day and night hike along the trails in the Bajo del Tigre Reserve, part of the BEN. It was very interesting to experience the trails both times because we were able to take in the different aspects of the forest each time. During the day hike, most of the wildlife we saw were birds, including Three-wattled Bellbirds, which was a fascinating bird to learn about along the hike. I learned that the male and female bellbirds differ in their appearances. The male bellbirds are usually brown and white with long black whisker-like appendages, called wattles, hanging from their faces. The females, on the other hand, are a mix of green and yellow and do not have wattles. Females are usually smaller in size as compared to their male counterparts. I also found out that the juvenile male bellbirds resemble the adult females. The male bellbird’s call ranges from different types of bell sounds. I’ve heard “BONK” and “BRENK” from the different bellbirds while we were in Bajo del Tigre and also while traveling to the nearby town of Santa Elena.
We also got to see a tarantula in its hole. I’m not a big fan of spiders in general, but it was cool to see the tarantula in its natural habitat. However, I was not willing to get that close! I stayed back far enough to see the tarantula at a safe distance. The night hike was off to a good start, but it was not as long as the day hike. I love being out in the nighttime so it was a great experience. I was able to hear everything, ranging from the rustling of the leaves or the sounds of the animals inhabiting Bajo del Tigre. I feel I am getting more familiar with the trails now as I continue to immerse myself in the forest. We also helped out with volunteer groups from Led2Serve. I was able to meet many cool, new people from Orlando, Florida (USA), and we were able to connect and share our own experiences we had with Costa Rica so far.
On the topic of Santa Elena (the main town in Monteverde), the town is delightful. It is a big difference from a big city, which I am more accustomed to. I am glad I am able to experience a different lifestyle than I am used to, because I feel that is the best way to be culturally informed. This trip is off to a fantastic start and I cannot wait for what else we may learn and experience.
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Nijayah Michél is a student at Lehigh University (USA) and is completing an internship with the Monteverde Conservation League and Children’s Eternal Rainforest from June to August 2019. This is the first in a series of guest blogs written by our Lehigh interns. Edited by Lindsay Stallcup.