Closing the Semester in the Cloud Forest: Research, Stewardship, and Partnership
As our 2026 cohort wrapped up the semester at QERC—our living laboratory in Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains—the final weeks were full of learning, fieldwork, and heartfelt goodbyes. In a place where the cloud forest is not just scenery but a classroom, students were able to bring together academic rigor, experiential learning, and a Christ-centered commitment to stewardship and Creation Care.
The semester closed with engaging lectures from Dr. Hornback on tropical medicine and Dr. Hawanchak on biblical theology and global stewardship—foundational threads that shaped how students approached both people and place. From there, students completed their field research projects and presented their findings to the San Gerardo valley, sharing what they learned about stream ecology and why it matters for those who live and work here.
One of the most meaningful moments came as local business owners, lifelong residents, and other stakeholders gathered at QERC to listen and ask questions. Presenting in Spanish, our students communicated with clarity and respect—creating space for thoughtful dialogue about the future of this project and what viable conservation can look like when it is rooted in partnership with local communities.
After final exams, students took time to pack, visit with the locals who had welcomed them so consistently, and mark the end of the semester together. On the morning of departure, the cohort took one last hike to a hill above the valley—an unhurried moment to debrief the highs and lows, to give thanks, and to say a proper farewell before traveling on to San José.
In San José, students visited the National Museum, deepening their appreciation for Costa Rica’s history and culture after four months of living here. From ancient Indigenous architecture to more recent developments, the museum offered a broader context for the country that has hosted and shaped their learning—before the cohort headed home to the United States the next morning.
Saying goodbye is never easy, but we’re grateful for the ways this semester formed students through shared classes, field research, and community life. If you’re a partner walking alongside QERC, thank you—your support helps make this kind of hands-on research education possible, and helps ensure our work here remains grounded in relationship, stewardship, and long-term conservation.
If you’d like to learn more about QERC’s Spring 2027 semester abroad program, field research projects, explore partnership opportunities, or connect with our team, we’d love to hear from you.