Gainesville, Fla. —Early this year, a group of adventurous University of Florida students—including Rebecca Walters—traded their Gator orange and blue for the lush greens of Costa Rica. Guided by Dr. Rosalie Koenig and Dr. William Hammond from the Agronomy Department, the group spent the entire month immersing themselves in the breathtaking biodiversity, agricultural landscapes, and groundbreaking research at the heart of Central America’s coffee belt.
Exploring the Living Laboratory of Costa Rica
The study abroad program was anything but sedentary. The group traversed the coastal lowlands and ventured into the dramatic volcanic center of the country, hiking up to peaks like Volcán Irazú. Their accommodations were equally impressive: the students stayed at renowned Biological Research Stations such as La Selva and Las Cruces, living right in the midst of thriving tropical ecosystems.
But the true epicenter of their academic adventure was CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza) in Turrialba. CATIE is known across Latin America and the world for its incredible collections of coffee and cacao—and it quickly became the students’ home base for hands-on plant science.
From Plant Novices to Budding Scientists
For many students, the trip was their very first deep dive into plant science. Thankfully, Dr. Hammond kicked off their journey with an accessible “Plants 101,” breaking down what defines a plant and how these extraordinary organisms have evolved.
With the basics established, students learned crucial research skills: using scientific tools to measure and understand plant health, collecting and recording data, and thinking analytically about the relationships between plants and their environments. As Rebecca summed it up, “We learned to think like plant scientists and measure like plant scientists.”
Field Research—with Real Research Impact
After this initial crash course, the adventure ramped up. Students were grouped and challenged to craft and execute their own research experiments, each drawing on CATIE’s remarkable resources. Rebecca’s group homed in on Coffee Leaf Rust—a fungal disease threatening coffee crops worldwide—and examined how its spread and impact varied among different coffee cultivars. Considering the growing volatility of our global climate, this research had especially timely implications.
Besides conducting hands-on fieldwork, students also got a crash course in data analysis using R Studio—a first for many of them. Their time at CATIE culminated in presenting their research posters not only to their peers, but also to visiting researchers from outside UF. The feedback was a highlight for Rebecca: “All of my classmates were so supportive, and outside researchers asked really thought-provoking questions.”
A Diverse Cohort, United by Curiosity
One of the most inspiring parts of the program was watching students from diverse academic backgrounds become engrossed in plant science—many for the first time. “It was really impactful seeing students from all different majors become so interested and knowledgeable about plants,” Rebecca reflected.
The impact seems likely to last well beyond May. Several students, energized by their research, are now looking to present their work at future research symposiums. The program has not only built lifelong memories but seeded new interests, collaborations, and ambitions for many participants.
For anyone curious about study abroad experiences—or eager to learn more about coffee plants and their challenges—the Costa Rica trip proves that a month of immersive research and camaraderie can make the world of plant science come vibrantly alive.
Interested in exploring the world and your major? Programs like this one prove how study abroad can change the way you see science, food, and the planet itself. Stay tuned to learn where UF Agronomy will head next!
5
