Students Explore Sustainable Learning in Costa Rica  

Submitted by Jordan Ann Kevan De Haan, Environmental Technician/Communications Professor 
 
With the goal of contributing to sustainability practices while developing intercultural competence skills, 21 students from St. Lawrence College were selected through a competitive process for the General Education course called Creating a Sustainable Society. This unique course, spanning from January to early May, started with classroom theory before culminating in a transformative two-week experience in Costa Rica. Jordan Ann Kevan de Haan was the faculty for this course, and Ross McMillan attended to help with student success and support. 
 
The time in Costa Rica began with a meaningful Earth Day celebration as the students engaged in a litter cleanup at Parque la Sabana in San Jose, while learning from locals about the park's history and the vision for a greener, biologically diverse community space that promotes expanded animal habitats within the city. 

Students then moved to the San Carlos Campus of Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), where they took part in hands-on activities relating to e-DNA, forestry trials, AR & VR, butterfly gardens, recycling initiatives, crocodile conservation, solar energy, and more. They were welcomed by the TEC student Cultural Ambassadors who had joined in on some of the course’s virtual classes since February and helped St. Lawrence College students feel at home as they explored the campus and learned about local culture. 

Next, students were welcomed by Paraiso Rural, a rural tourism cooperative in San Ramon de Serapiqui, to spend a few days experiencing a variety of local activities while learning about sustainability initiatives in the region. Chocolate production, tortilla making, dairy farming, and a guided night hike were some of the many highlights. 

The journey finished in Monteverde, where students engaged in a nature hike in Reserva Curicancha and contributed to trail maintenance in Bosque Eterno de los Niños (BEN), the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. This reserve, founded with contributions from children in 44 countries, exemplifies the global collaboration needed to address sustainability challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). 
Students expressed gratitude for the invaluable experiences that enriched their understanding of sustainability practices on both local and global scales. 

The success of this program highlights St. Lawrence College's commitment to experiential learning and global engagement. Currently, the College offers three faculty-led programs through the Global Learning Centre, supported by funding from the Government of Canada’s Global Skills Opportunity, SLC’s Global Learning Bursary funded by the Tuition Set-Aside Fund, and the International Fund provided by GuardMe Insurance. More information about SLC’s faculty-led programs is available here.