March 3, 2008 | Vol. XI, Issue 24

Summer Program in Costa Rica Offers a Unique Classroom for Studying Environmental Law

by Rachel Attal

It’s not everyday that you have to take a raft to get to your lodge that is secluded in the middle of the rainforest on the bank of the Pacuare River. But, this was the case for a group of outgoing UF Law students who spent the summer studying environmental law while partaking in adventures in Costa Rica.

The group of students spent six weeks taking classes with international students, experiencing the wildlife of Costa Rica and helping the local Costa Ricans with current environmental projects, including tagging sea turtles.

Traveling abroad usually involves having to go outside one’s comfort zone, but for some it is more of a risk than others. Second-year law student Andrew Beckington made the trip to the Spanish-speaking country without any prior experience with the language. However, he insists trying something this new was well worth it. “Everything was new to me—definitely a different world,” he said. “It was a huge learning experience.”

The time spent in Costa Rica was an opportunity that environmental law students said they couldn’t pass up. It was a great experience to apply what has been learned in the classroom to the field, Beckington said.

Beckington described the Costa Ricans’ dilemma, which is occurring worldwide, of trying to be environmentally savvy by balancing human needs and protecting the environment. Costa Ricans diligently work to find food and survive sometimes at the cost of the wildlife. The local environmental groups are currently working to protect the wildlife and help the locals meet their daily needs. The laws have to protect the people and environment, Beckington said.

The study of environmental law is always a balancing act. “You work to piece together the law while helping people and the environment,” Beckington said. While in Costa Rica, the students worked closely on a project to protect the sea turtles and local economy.

The classroom atmosphere was an opportunity for a comparative perspective of environmental law with students from countries with civil law and students from countries with common law. Most classes were comprised of one-half UF students while the other students in the class were from other U.S. law schools, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Brazil. It was a great opportunity to have an engaging, comparative experience with such an array of international students, which is unique, Beckington said. Fellow second-year law student Patricia Camino added, “It helped to gain a great perspective on how other people treat the same legal situation.”

Outside the classroom, students had the opportunity to take trips to experience the rainforest, volcanoes, rivers and local beaches. One of the most memorable excursions was hiking through the rainforest where students experienced firsthand Costa Rica’s wildlife. Students saw Strawberry poisonous dart frogs that are the size of a fingernail, bullet ants that caused extreme pain for one unlucky U.S. student, sloths, macaws and monkeys. “The wildlife was amazing,” Beckington said.

Participating in the study abroad program after the first year of law school was perfect timing for these law students. “It was the last year to have a great experience before I have to get a job,” Camino said.

Gaining an international perspective of environmental law was also a once-in-a lifetime experience. “It was such an incredible learning experience and so much fun,” Beckington said. “If I could, I would do it this summer, but now I have to get a job.”

The Summer 2008 Law Program in Costa Rica will run from June 15 to July 28 in San Jose. Courses offered will include International & Comparative Environmental Law, International Environmental Justice, International and Comparative Environmental Law Skills Lab and Conservation Clinic.

The deadline for applications is March 21. Interested students can visit the study abroad website at www.law.ufl.edu/conservation/costarica/ and contact Professor Tom Ankersen, the program's director, at ankersen@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0835 or Director of Student Programs Michelle Ocepek at ocepek@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0620.

Home | Email to a friend | Print article | Contact FlaLaw Online