Major: Environmental Studies and Geoscience
Home School: College of the Holy Cross
OTS Program: Tropical Biology in Costa Rica
Summer 2024
Molly McCracken
Molly is from the Coal Region of Pennsylvania. She is currently studying Environmental Studies and Geoscience at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. She enjoys being outdoors hiking, playing soccer, reading, and cooking. She is particularly interested in remediation and restoration.
After spending a summer completing our Tropical Biology course in Costa Rica, Molly is more than happy to share her experience with potential candidates for the program.
“Through an OTS course, you will learn about biological systems, conservation, and restoration, while making connections with professors, and growing close with your peers!“
I love nature and spending time outdoors. I also always wanted to go to Costa Rica because it is where my mom is from. When I saw a poster on the wall at school for the Tropical Biology summer course, I thought that would be a perfect opportunity. As an Environmental Studies and Geoscience student, I spoke to my professors and discovered that my OTS class would contribute to my major. OTS gave me the chance to explore the biodiverse Costa Rica with a group of like-minded students.
There are so many memorable parts even within only one month! One memorable aspect was the diverse group of people I got to experience the course with. We spent nearly every hour together learning, laughing, and working. Chatting with the students, TA, and visiting professors was a highlight of my experience. Another memorable part of my OTS course was the field trips to research sites where they are working to restore strong, diverse forests. Visits to Loma Linda and CATIE were informative and inspiring as well!
Take advantage of the amazing opportunity to take part in an OTS program. You will see more plants, creatures, and other life than you can imagine, in such unique environments. Through an OTS course, you will learn about biological systems, conservation, and restoration, while making connections with professors, and growing close with your peers!
I am entering my senior year studying earth sciences. While I do not know what career I will enter or if I will attend grad school, I am interested in remediation and restoration of the natural environment.
