First POST!

Hey everyone, so this is my first post and I am writing it hours before I am set to fly off to Costa Rica until May (my flight is at 6 am)! I am experiencing an array of emotions. First off I am PUMPED, I legit have been sitting in my small town in Vermont, I kid you not I think there are about 400 people (who are full-time residents). I counted it the other day, I drove for 17 miles and passed no cars. But I have been sitting at home waiting to step off the plane and feel the 85 degree weather and escape the chilly arctic weathers of Vermont. But I will miss skiing and walking to class in snow storms and such. I am also really nervous, I just visited Saint Mike's last weekend and it was weird to not be there when everyone else would be starting classes! I think I'm just nervous for the adjustment period, but reading the itinerary made me excited once again.

But anyways, my name is Tyler and I am a junior (soon to be senior, WHAT) at Saint Mikes and am majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Science. Originally, I thought I wanted to pursue medical school after graduation, however I have been leaning towards the Peace Corps or possibly P.A. school. The Peace Corps has been something I have wanted to do for a long time. Regardless I know I want to pursue something in the medical field, guess I should figure that out soon, haha.

I have lived in Vermont all of my life and still reside in North Pomfret, VT. Probably don't even bother asking what its near...however this past summer I spent it in Burlington and LOVED it. I did research with Professor McCabe and got to work with bugs everyday and play in streams. I actually even found myself flipping over some rocks in the brook at the end of my road to look for bugs, while taking my dogs down there, haha. I also worked for a catering company on the weekends, which was so much fun. The kids were all hilarious and made 12 hour days fly by and if we were lucky we'd even get fed. And my boss, Barb...I'll save it for a more relevant time

I am also a member of the Cross-Country team at Saint Mikes and I love it. Although, I spent this last season injured and wasn't able to run. I have two season's under my belt with these group of guys and wouldn't change it for anything. Some of the other things I like to do with my free time is to hike, I feel like I'm in prime location (in Vermont and right next to New Hampshire). However, traveling to various mountains in different countries in my future is key. I also love to eat, food is probably one of my favorite things(alliot buff chix wrap). I will most likely try anything that is put in front of me.

I will be spending the next three and a half months in Costa Rica and studying Public Health and Tropical Biology. I have a host family for about three weeks and am pretty pumped about that, but we also have to take intensive spanish classes...holla But I also am taking ethnobiology and public health/tropical biology which is basically learning about healthcare in a tropical location. I am so excited to be immersed in a new culture and learn so many things from it!