Academic News
During the last two weeks, students have been busy with exams, Directed Research papers, and presentations. But that isn't to say we haven't had some fun as well. After an awesome presentation, all five of Rebekka's students wept at the thought of leaving her. Gustavo's group, devoted to saving the turtles, was equally devoted to their mentor and giver of life changing advice. They performed brilliantly, and we even heard the turtles cry. Georgina's group, having been committed so completely to re-enacting the history of Bahia Magdalena, never showed up as they now live on the island of Magdalena and have mastered fishing as they spend their nights seeking out the mysterious ghost cow. Overall, we had good fun, but most importantly, watching the students bring together all their knowledge and hard work in a way that will not only benefit them in their futures, but will benefit the future of Puerto San Carlos and Bahia Magdalena is deeply satisfying.
Hector Perez Cortes M., Director, Center for Coastal Studies  

Student Reflections
We have about two and a half days before we all board our planes and leave the peninsula that's been our home for the last semester, and lately I haven't been able to stop thinking about all the little things I will miss: taking study breaks to make quesadillas; watching the herons in the mangroves from my cabana window in the mornings; hanging around in the kitchen after dinner every night telling stories and laughing so hard I can't catch my breath. And I wouldn't have believed it three months ago, but I'll probably even miss how the window over the kitchen sink is propped open with an old spatula. It doesn't seem quite right to stop the list there, but writing this is a little hard. We've had our final panga ride, but we still have our final posters to make, our bags to pack, and our goodbyes to say. I'm not ready to leave all of it behind just yet.
Amanda Gotera, Grinnell College

Our Last Panga Ride…
Bundling up, oh Mexican December
Flying over white caps on water
Racing Pangueros
Trying to throw our professor, Gustavo, overboard
Singing at the top of our lungs
Soaring flocks over the waves
Gliding by, pelicans say their farewells.
Climbing to the front of the boat; rocking it to shore
Watching sand stream over the hills
Rolling down sand dunes
Running as tides come over your toes
Wishing we could stay here forever
And… knowing our “almas” always will.
Emma Marsh, Vassar College and
Katey Nelson, St. Mary's College of Maryland

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