Gloria Heye wasn’t nervous about flying or visiting a foreign country. What made her apprehensive about the study abroad trip to Costa Rica was that she was going with strangers.

“I didn’t care about what I packed or what we were in for,” said Heye, Delta College Associate of Arts student. “I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone going on the trip. I kept thinking, ‘ten days and no one is going to talk to me.’”

Heye, of Midland, was one of 17 Delta students who took part in the sustainability-themed travel experience to the Central American country in March. As it turned out, her worries were unfounded.

“That all changed the minute we got to the Flint airport at 4:30am,” she said. “I was already bouncing off the walls, and I think that caused a lot of commotion. I was so excited, it created a lot of talking and everyone became friends instantly. The bond we created during the trip was the most unexpected thing. I feel like I’m going to have these friends for a long time.”

The group stayed at the University of Georgia’s sustainable campus on the Pacific slope of Monteverde in Costa Rica, near the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Costa Rica is a global leader in environmental conservation and stewardship, making it a living classroom for academic groups from around the world.

With Delta’s focus on sustainability, study abroad travel to Costa Rica was an easy choice and Linda Petee, the College’s Sustainability Coordinator, has been leading groups there since 2013.

In addition to the bonds made between travelers, there was plenty of learning going on as the group took part in multiple sustainable, eco-friendly activities each day.

“If I had to choose a ‘most memorable’ activity, it’s hard, but I guess I’d say the medicinal garden,” said Alexis Zimmerman of Bay City. “The guild pointed out a tree they think might be used one day to help cancer patients. Because I’m going to be a pharmacist, I thought that was super cool.”