Creating Change in Costa Rica

Please read this important post from Stephanie Flackman, RJ class of 2010:

 

As a firm believer in the power of humanity to initiate positive change, I have found my experience as an RJ Fellow in the Class of 2010 to be transformational and thought provoking.  Dr. Taub’s entry, “Change is not a spectator sport” motivated me to share some information about a special opportunity, strongly connected to the RJ mission of change. 

 

A unique RJ-designated course, entitled Environmental and Cultural Conservation in Latin America, is offered in the spring semester by Dr. Niesenbaum, followed by a 2-week service-learning and research experience in Costa Rica that empowers YOU to create change in a focused and impactful setting. 

 

What do I mean by this? 

 

Students prepare, through discussions and study of the ecological diversity, political, cultural, and social issues of Costa Rica, to ultimately descend upon the rural community of Las Juntas de Abangares as a team focused on change.  Students develop research projects (ranging from topics in biology, environmental studies, and public health, to economics, sustainability, cultural preservation, studio art (NEW!), and more)!  My own experience last spring was focused on a public health issue — the effects of pesticides on the well-being of farmers (who, due to a long history of pesticide use for sustenance, do not acknowledge the correlation between specific ailments and documented pesticide hazards).  Participants in this course also engage in service-learning.  Teaching English at a private school gave me a special opportunity for immersion, putting my command of the Spanish language to the test and permitting me to delve into the culture and see the dynamics of the community from an insider’s perspective.  Other types of service include beautification, river clean-up, assisting at a women’s recycling cooperative, and many other worthwhile efforts where students are continually surprised by the gratitude of the community!  The local population is often inspired to make positive changes too; working side by side with the students to improve an aspect of their society, we planted trees to prevent runoff pollutants from contaminating the watershed in an aesthetically pleasing way.  This course is something you can do to meet the needs of a community, where you will see and feel the impact of your efforts, while gaining an appreciation for a way of life that is amazing and so different from our own. 

 

Why did I mention all of the above details?  

 

Because I want to encourage you to learn more about Muhlenberg’s Interdisciplinary Study and Exploration in Costa Rica (the course code is EST 350, in the course catalog).  Students from the 2008 program, including myself, will be presenting their research and service-learning experiences in a seminar to be held on Thursday, October 16th at 4:30pm in Shankweiler 440S.  

 

Please note that I did not even mention the FANTASTIC field trips.  I cannot do justice to the supreme beauty of a Cloud Forest or flora and fauna that are beyond exotic.  You must see it to believe it!

 

Interested yet?  I hope so.

 

For more information, please go to the following website for a database of prior research projects as well as the application and more in-depth information:

http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/biology/faculty/niesenbaum/cr.html

Flyers with pictures from the 2008 experience will also be posted around campus so you won’t forget the details of the seminar! You can contact Dr. Niesenbaum (niesenba@muhlenberg.edu) or me – Stephanie Flackman (sf235082@muhlenberg.edu) with any questions.   As we contemplate how to create change, as members of the RJ community, I strongly suggest not letting this extraordinary opportunity pass you by!

 

Sports for Change

I’ve been thinking about the RJ athletes, many of whom have games/practice tomorrow evening that will prevent them from gathering at the RJ annual dinner.  These students often link to sports-focused community service activities, like Second Mile, or organize the sports activities for Jefferson Field Day.  This post honors the athletes within the RJ community and recognizes that sports provide spaces for positive change as well.  Just consider Right to Play.  This is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.  Right To Play trains local community leaders as Coaches to provide sport programs in more than 20 countries affected by war, poverty, and disease in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  The organization focuses on four strategic areas:  basic education and child development, health promotion/disease prevention, conflict resolution and peace education, and community development.

“When children play, the world wins.”

Change is not a spectator sport

Why a blog?  I’ve been thinking about an RJ blog for some time.  This summer, I was powerfully convinced of the potential of digital media to help draw community together.  I follow, as many at Muhlenberg do, the Facebook group, Stay Strong with Jacy.  I observed in awe the number of group members grow to nearly 700 virtually within days of its creation by fellow RJ, Les Polk.  I still believe online communication is no substitute for face-to-face interaction, but I cannot deny the potential of this medium to help build and sustain communities dispersed in space and time.  So I’m creating this blog to stay better connected to the RJ community, and to share news, ideas and opportunities of interest to students learning about change.  

This change in communication signals bigger changes to come for a program that, by definition and design, needs to keep evolving, keep innovating, be forward-thinking.  Ideas about change emerge in communication, so my hope is that this blog grows into a space of interaction, dialogue, debate.  This is not a one-way street:  everyone is invited to join the conversation, add your own reflections, ideas, inspirations, and creativity.  So speak up!  Change is not a spectator sport!