SustainaBulldogs

Our group had an amazing time exploring, learning, and bonding with each other as we climbed up mountains, rafted through rivers, traipsed across farms, and let’s not forget enduring those long bus rides! After being back from our trip for an entire semester now, it is easy for our memories to fade and to forget the sustainability practices that we observed and learned while in Costa Rica. However, it is important to keep these ideas in mind and spread the word on the benefits of being sustainable.

Being sustainable gives back to the environment and supports the land that provides for us, but it also enhances the natural beauty of the area. We observed countless beautiful views, in dark and light, sunshine and rain that derived from the community caring for nature. The people of Costa Rica were passionate about preserving their land and planting many of their own fruits and vegetables. At Don Juan, we explored the farm and sampled their organic produce in juices while admiring the lushness of the gardens. In Costa Rica, families and communities work together to sustain themselves and help one another. Bryant students, staff, and faculty can do the same, as we are one community that can help each other, as well as our environment.

We noticed many simple ways that encourage eco-friendly behavior. Often times, actions that seem small can truly make a difference, such as recycling paper and plastic instead of throwing them away, composting food waste, buying local products and supporting local farms. These behaviors are taught in the Costa Rican culture through their education systems to instill this importance of sustainability at a young age, and it is something that other countries, including the United States, could consider. After visiting several coffee plantations, we had the opportunity to plant coffee trees to harvest in the future!

Ultimately, we learned how sustainable practices add to a country's beauty, small changes can yield big results, and knowledge is key in making a difference. We are now ambassadors of sustainability, and it is our prerogative to pass on the knowledge that we learned in Costa Rica. We are a team of sustainable bulldogs! Pura Vida!

Keep up to date on the latest sustainability news and events on social media:

Twitter: @SustainBryant

Facebook: Sustainability at Bryant

Email: sustainability@bryant.edu

To learn more, visit: http://www.bryant.edu/about/sustainability/

Author: Bridgette Kosek

Follow me on Twitter! @BridgetteKosek

Stay up to date with all of our activities by following @BryantMKT421 on Twitter!

Bulldogs Learn to Salsa

History

Salsa drives from many different places but Latin Americans in New York City have claimed the birth of the dance. It has extremely strong influences fro other dances such as Cha Cha Cha and Mambo. There are four main styles of Sala, Colombian / Cali styles which involves a lot of skipping. The Cuban style which is more intimate between the partners. The New York Style where the follower leads with the first step of music. Lastly the Los Angeles styles with a lot of lifts. Every area will have their own spin of the dance and the music. The group we worked with, Swagga Crew, were a modern group with an American hip hop spin to the dance. 

Our Experience

We were introduced to Swagga Crew by jumping right into a follow the leader style of dancing. The leader stood in the front open space we were in, and the music was classic Latin American dancing music, but the Swagga Crew made minor adjustments to the music to fit the current generation. 

Trying not to step on peoples feet.

Quickly after the start of the session we were introduced to a common dance we all knew how to do, the limbo line! I, being the tallest of the group, did not do that well but considered this a good warm up for the high pace two hours ahead of us. Our three instructors were full of energy and definitely could have danced all throughout the night without stopping.

After an hour of a lot of sweating and confusion we were granted a little break. We would not be in Costa Rica if we did not get juice during the break. Our great host all weekend, Daniel, was ready with cups full of ice cold mango juice. When the second hour of the session began the boys and the girls broke some American style gender barriers and actually started to dance with each other. As I and my classmate, Marco (@marcoadd93) have observed between Americans and Latin Americans (specifically Costa Ricans) that is does not matter who they are dancing with. It is more of a language than intimate movements. Whereas Americans are a little more hesitant to dance with another gender if they do not really know them. Fortunately, these barriers were broken and the night became more enjoyable for everyone.

Me with the Swagga Crew

We as a group looked like we had two left feet compared the Swagga Crew. They made it look like our bodies are supposed to move that way takes a considerable amount of talent. Luckily we were able to get a small performance on their new routine. Needless to say it was nice to sit down and watch other people move their hips. Once we concluded the session we all wobbled back to our rooms or to the pool. Here is a link to us actually dancing. We were trying following the Swagga Crew but some peoples rhythm was not in sync with the rest of the group. Enjoy.

Thanks for reading!

-Jake Lamar @jakelamar29)