Avian Biology

Spend your Maymester studying bird biology in the rainforests, volcanic areas, cloud forests and black sand beaches of Costa Rica. With more than 400 bird species – including parrots, toucans, motmots and hummingbirds – you’ll definitely have something to tweet about this summer.

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  • From hiking in the beautiful rainforests to swimming in huge waterfalls, there were so many great moments on my trip to Costa Rica with Avian Biology. However, there are two moments that stick out to me the most. The first moment was in a cloud forest in a place called Monteverde which means green mountain.…

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  • I have been very blessed in my life to visit several countries with my family and UGA study abroad programs. I have fallen in love with traveling and experiencing other cultures so the decision to go on the Costa Rica Avian Biology Trip was a no-brainer for me. This is a more physically intense and a much longer trip…

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  • My parents and I finally arrived in Alajuela, Costa Rica a few days before my CAES Avian Biology study abroad trip began after some interesting turn of events. As we approached the airport in Alajuela, our pilot informed us that the runway lights seemed to be turned off and they could not land. After about…

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  • I learned  more in Costa Rica than I ever thought would be possible. Waking up to howlers, sleeping to gecko calls, currency exchange rates, BIRDWATCHING, how to hike 101, intermediate photography skills, enjoying whatever is around me, how to mail a postcard, hammock napping, rudimentary Spanish, that I can living without running water and A/C…

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  • That’s pretty much all the Spanish I know. And, here’s another confession. I wrote some notes about my pre-departure thoughts for this blog. Having already been on one fantastic CAES study abroad trip to Costa Rica, I had good intentions of posting an inspirational blog to allay the fears of other students considering studying abroad.…

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  •  I have, for many years, volunteered at a therapeutic riding facility where people with special cognitive, physical, and emotional needs ride horses to improve their development, so I have spent hundreds of hours with horses. I admire their beauty, their grace, and their strength, and I know the joy of riding and communing with nature…

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  • Colorful birds, amazing waterfalls, active volcanoes, and warm, friendly local people – these are just a few of the things we saw and experienced during our action packed Maymester adventure in Costa Rica. Rising at the crack of dawn, we hiked through the forest, learning about the distinct ecosystems, studying the many different bird species…

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    What did you learn while abroad? What was Costa Rica like? Did the volcanoes bother you? Did you have a good time? These were all questions that I was asked when I returned home. I answered “Birds, awesome, no, and of course I did”. Costa Rica was an amazing experience. I saw things that I…

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  • I packed/unpacked/repacked my suitcase probably 20 times in the week before my flights. My goal was to pack light and not need to check any bags on the plane. UGA Costa Rica Avian Biology maymester has a packing list, I used a couple of hiking/backpacking bloggers lists, and asked friends that had traveled to central…

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  • You never know what to expect on a study abroad trip. I was surprised at how quickly I made friends and how we’ve stayed in touch even weeks after the trip. When you’re with 19 students for three weeks straight, you truly get to know them. I figured that I would make friends while I…

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