Tell us a little about yourself and your trip.
Rhian: I volunteered in Costa Rica from Jan. 16 - Feb. 22, 2012. I am from Newcastle, Australia, and a student at the University of Newcastle. I'm 21 and currently in my final year of a combined B.Arts/B. Science Degree majoring in Biology, Politics and History.
Why did you decide to volunteer with ISV in Costa Rica?
Rhian: I had wanted to do something more that just go to uni and do the same regular things, and then an ISV rep came into our classroom and talked (yelled!) about the exciting opportunities possible with ISV, so I checkout out the website and saw that I could do volunteer work in conservation, and Costa Rica seemed like the perfect destination!
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Rhian: I volunteered in a small town an hours hike from Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula. There we assisted in data collection for the local researcher Pablo Riba, who was collecting information on the reproductive status of certain trees and the influences of frugivores on fruit dispersal.
A typical day in this town involved getting up at 6:15am for breakfast at 6:30, then making our way to the meeting area to start at 7. There, you were assigned to 1 of 3 activities: hiking with a local to make observations of any animal or bird relevant to the study, hiking to town with the other research assistant Juan - where we checked mesh traps of trees around the town, or hiking with Pablo in the forest immediately surrounding the town. Each of these hikes (fairly strenuous!) left at 7am and usually returned before 11, when we had a chance to clean up and cool down a bit before lunch.
Afternoons consisted of free time until 3pm, where the ISV group had a discussion on topics surrounding the research project, or a 'learning opportunity', where we played games, did beach clean ups or made things from recycled materials. It was then free afternoons again until dinner at 6:30 and bed was usually about 8:30! During the free time on my project, we had a beach 5mins walk from town, so spent most of the time there!!! But we also hung out with the family and played with the many many dogs running around.
What made this experience unique and special?
Rhian: For me, this volunteer experience was particularly unique as I was able to live with a family in a very remote area of Costa Rica - an area that most people will never hear of in their lives. I was able to walk through and experience untouched areas of rainforest, see rare and beautiful animals like the Scarlett Macaw, and learn little customs and sayings "Que Paso Mai?!" (What's up dude?) from locals that have never left the area. I also knew that the data we were helping to collect was important - that no other similar studies are currently being conducted in central america - and that one day, that study will assist the government in future conservation efforts.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Rhian: This experience has had a marked impact on all aspects of my life. As my first overseas experience it opened my eyes to entirely new cultures, language and ways of life. I now fully understand how differently people can live in different areas, as well as appreciate all the opportunities I have been given. Volunteering in conservation in this field was very worthwhile for me, and I know that biological conservation is a field I could work in - whether it be here in Australia, or overseas.