Everyday this trip was packed with
adventure and great learning experiences. As a group, we worked well
together and had a great time. As an individual, I learned a lot
about science, Costa Rica, and myself.
-Sam
This trip was one of the best
experiences of my life. It was worth every penny and I don't regret
any of it. I will miss this group so much we have gotten so close
and have become a family. It was sad to say goodbye but hopefully one
day we will be back! I spent 10 days with the most amazing students,
scientists, and teachers. Being able to use what I learned in the
classroom, in the field and learn from failure was hard at times but
rewarding in the end. This was an experience that I will never
forget.
~Camille Johnson
Every moment in Costa Rica was so
amazing and it's hard to believe that it's over. The science we
learned and experienced is something that can't be replicated in a
classroom. We have all become so close to each other in the past ten
days that I will definitely miss everyone. I have learned so much and
I will miss every memory made. It has truly has been one of the best
experiences of my life and I am thankful that I was able to spend it
with the best teachers, scientists and students.
~Annie Kleckner-Thiele
It was fun. Jake Helgerson
It was an honor to get a head start on
a breakthrough that will shake the foundation of humanity. Learning
to use the tools that will revolutionize medicine and the way we
perceive life was a phenomenal experience. I learned that I have a
lot more knowledge at my finger tips than I realized.
-DJ Pearson
I had such an amazing time learning how
to sequence genes and being able to use the tools that will change
the future of science.
~ Kelly Sandhofer
This was such an amazing, one of a kind
experience. The chance to participate was truly an honor, and I will
always remember this trip, and all the people I either met, or got to
know better throughout it.
~Erin Dehler
I had a great time being able to work
with real scientists and live in Costa Rica for 10 days. This was
the experience of a lifetime and I do not regret any of it. I had
the chance to learn about myself and connect with the person I've
become. I learned that a classroom is one place but learning
stretches every corner of the globe.
~Tyler Maas
Costa Rica was a whole new experience
that can not be replicated anywhere else. It was great to spend 10
days with peers that shared the same excitement for science. The trip
really gave me the courage to think big and to try new things and
having the chance to go to Costa Rica was truly a unique experience.
I had some great laughs and memories that I will always treasure.
Words can not describe how much I learned about myself and science.
~Sarah Hoogenboom
This trip to Costa Rica was one of the
best experiences I have ever had. Amazing food and people, the rain
forest, the ocean, and diving into science with world class
scientists. What more could I ask for? I learned so much more
studying science in the field during these 10 days than I ever have
in a classroom. I realized that you can never truly understand
something unless you immerse yourself in it. I have always been
passionate about science, but this research trip has intensified that
passion. If I could, I would do it all over again.
~Erica Salhus
It would be impossible to describe
these past ten days in a few simple sentences! Learning and
experiencing Costa Rica was such an amazing opportunity that I will
never forget, nor regret. Every day in the rain forest was an
adventure filled with delicious food, a lot of laughs, knowledge, and
people coming closer together. This trip has taught me so much, but I
think the most important lesson that I learned while working with Dr.
Pinto is that it is okay to fail- not just in science, but in
everything you attempt- because learning is all about the journey,
not just the outcome.
~Lindsey Salhus
These past few days have truly been a
blessing and a gift. Learning and researching within Costa Rica has
been an amazing opportunity and it has made me realize what I want to
do in life. From day one of this trip everything has been a
opportunity to learn and create memories about. Although I got pretty
beat up this trip I look forward to next year in hopes that I can be
a second year student and study bioinformatics. I learned a lot and I
hope to keep learning more for years to come. Overall this was an
experience I will never forget.
-Jacob M. Noble
For any students that are considering
going into the science career field, this trip is absolutely
invaluable. In the Seeds of Change program you experience hands on
what it is like to participate in science, whether its through
microbiology or bioinformatics. This experience really instills a
knowledge that cannot be learned in a classroom and accurately shows
the potential of a science focused career. I would take this trip
again in a heartbeat, and am ecstatic I went a second year.
-Hannah Van Sambeek
For me, the past
10 days in Costa Rica were absolutely amazing. From gram stains to
plantain chips, Adrian Pinto to zip-lining and plastic cones to
airport security, this trip has been a great experience. I learned
more and experienced more in these ten days that I could ever have
expected or dreamed. It was the most fun I have every had while
learning. This kind of trip should replace school since it is so
much more effective. The trip made me more passionate about
science... and leaf cutter ants.
~Caroline Urban