Getting Started

A very flexible Jamie Rowen
shows off a yoga pose
during Orientation

So the 2011 Summer Peace Institute is officially underway! The students arrived at UPEACE on Monday morning for a long day of orientation, hiking, and getting to know each other. After a short introduction by Rector John Moresca, Vice Rector Amr Abdalla led a comical series of ice-breaker activities that got everybody laughing and showing off their hidden talents. We witnessed yoga poses, salsa dancing, "the stomp," acrobatics, and pushups (not to mention some double-jointed finger tricks from the Vice Rector himself).

The orientation was then followed by a true introduction to Costa Rica's natural landscape. Chief Logistics Officer Pablo Richard, also a biologist and tour guide, led the newly arrived students on a two-hour hike to El Mirador -- a beautiful lookout point on the UPEACE property. Despite the jet-lag, everybody (including a curious and persistent stray dog) completed the hike and got to see a beautiful view of Ciudad Colón and the surrounding areas!

Some conversation at El Mirador

During the first two days of the program, students have listened in on lectures by Berkeley Professor Jerry Sanders about human security and the difficulties of peacebuilding. In the afternoons, students are divided into discussion groups to analyze case studies and apply information from the day's lecture. These groups are conducted in the fashion of Bohm Dialogue, meaning the students facilitate their own discussions and generate a free-flowing conversation without the presence of a professor or moderator. So far, it's made for some very creative and diverse approaches to peacebuilding!

Students take notes as Professor
Jerry Sanders lectures

On Tuesday, students were assigned to their two-week field placements, which will wrap up the 5-week program here at UPEACE. Some will travel to Puriscal to develop projects, run workshops, and organize recreational activities for children; others will venture to La Carpio to build and design a green area and to paint a mural; some will head to the beautiful Osa Peninsula to engage in a number of community building activities; and still others will go to Limon to work on a new project  concerned with the protection and nesting of sea turtles. Development Officer Laura Arroyo and Intern Elena García did a tremendous job arranging these projects and compiled a list that includes six other compelling choices for the students.

On Saturday, the group will be taking a break from their academics and traveling to the Poás Volcano to see one of Costa Rica's most popular attractions. The day also includes visits to the Waterfall Gardens, a butterfly farm, an aviary, and separate exhibits for monkeys, hummingbirds, wild cats, and snakes. Sunday promises to be just as exciting, as a large group heads down to the Pacuare Canyon for some Class IV white water rafting!

Check back soon for interviews with students and faculty, as well as pictures from the weekend!