Life lessons in Costa Rica's rainforest classroom

The food was "amazing," the research "interesting" and the scenery "breathtaking."

All helped make the experience "life-changing."

Eight students from Mound-Westonka High School recently returned from a 10-day scientific trek deep in the rain forests of Costa Rica.

There, they worked with a scientist to research leaf-cutter ants as part of the second annual Westonka Summer Institute.

They also fit in a soccer game with the local villagers, painted a community health center, delivered school supplies to local students, and dodged snakes and downpours.

"The people had the biggest impact on me; they are so in touch with the land around them," said Leeja Miller, who would like to return to Costa Rica to teach English. "As we were leaving, I thought, 'This isn't the last time I'm going to see this place.'"

The students stayed in cabins at Finca La Anita Rainforest Ranch, a macadamia and flower plantation surrounded by rain forest.

Tourists who want a vacation beyond the sun and surf can stay at the ranch to learn about the environment and the needs of rain forest inhabitants.

"It's so hard to put the environment of this area into words," April Frady wrote in a blog entry documenting the trip. "Driving through all the small little villages it's easy to see how important the surrounding community is and how connected [the people] are to each other."

The students' blog, www.getjealous.com/westonkacostarica, was used to update family and friends about their experience. Their daily entries also gave them an outlet to rave about the local fare.

"We had pork chops with pineapple sauce and yucca pancakes," Alyssa Mason wrote. For dessert, we got to try 'Momunchinos.' It's a type of fruit that looks very hairy on the outside and the inside is almost like a grape with a seed. It was so good and I wish they were available in the U.S."

Between meals, the students worked alongside Adrian Pinto, a top scientist from the University of Costa Rica, to further develop research on his leaf-cutter ant project. They formed groups with Costa Rican students to study the antibiotic-producing ants, and while most of the experiments turned up inconclusive data, everyone gained valuable experience conducting scientific research at the post-secondary level.

The Westonka Summer Institute is an education-abroad program that was started last summer with a group of 10 students traveling to China.

Participants in this year's program are rising sophomore Ashley Kershaw; rising juniors Jon Pilling, Cassandra Gierszewski, Ashley Garvais and Michelle Bussey; and rising seniors Leeja Miller, Alyssa Mason and April Frady.