By Anna Lister, Global Engagement at Texas A&M University
BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, Texas — June 20, 2025 — For Texas A&M students passionate about insects, biodiversity, and adventure, a study abroad program in Costa Rica is proving to be more than just a class—it’s a transformative journey.
Each summer, faculty members Dr. Hojun Song and Dr. Spencer Behmer lead a group of Aggies to the Soltis Center for Research and Education, a Texas A&M-owned facility nestled in the lush mid-elevation rainforest of Costa Rica. The program, now in its eighth year, blends field entomology with immersive cultural and ecological experiences.
“It’s a completely different world,” said Song, who first visited the Soltis Center in 2016 while conducting his own research. “Just a three-hour flight from Texas, and students are seeing insects and ecosystems they’ve never imagined.”
The course, officially titled Field Entomology in the Tropics, is designed to give undergraduates hands-on research experience. Students spend 16 days collecting insects, designing experiments and hiking through cloud forests and tropical terrain. But the lessons go far beyond the scientific.
Quinn Costello, who graduated in 2023 with a degree in entomology, participated in the program in 2022. He described the experience as “absolutely unforgettable.”
“I loved it over there,” Costello said. “It was the perfect opportunity—affordable, exciting, and full of bugs.”
Costello’s research project focused on insect trap effectiveness at different elevations. Despite frequent rain delays, he and his team gathered enough data to complete their study. But it wasn’t just the science that left a mark.
“On this trip, I really opened up. I made friends, built bonds, and came back with a whole new perspective,” Costello said.
That kind of personal growth is exactly what Song and Behmer hope to foster.
“We see students change,” Behmer said. “They come back more confident, more curious, and more connected—to nature and to each other.”
The program offers full, enriching days that begin at 7 a.m. and continue into the evening, filled with immersive hikes, engaging lectures, and meaningful group reflections. One of the highlights is a scenic trek to a breathtaking waterfall on the first day—an unforgettable introduction to the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
The Soltis Center, located in a less-studied mid-elevation rainforest, offers a unique setting for both education and research. Its modern facilities, including air-conditioned classrooms and wet labs, make it an ideal base for fieldwork. The staff, both in Costa Rica and within the Department of Global Engagement at Texas A&M, handle logistics so faculty can focus on teaching.
“It’s like the Hilton of research stations,” Song joked. “Everything is taken care of. We just teach.”
Over the years, the course has evolved. Activities have been refined, and student feedback has shaped the curriculum. One constant, however, is the emphasis on experiential learning. Students keep daily journals, design their own experiments, and have the opportunity to publish their findings.
“Some of the projects have real scientific merit,” Song said. “We’re currently working with two groups to publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.”
The impact of the program extends beyond the rainforest. Many students return inspired to pursue graduate studies or careers in science. One recent participant is headed to Cambridge University for a master’s degree in life sciences.
“Every one of them comes back changed,” Behmer said. “And for us as teachers, that’s the most rewarding part.”
Song and Behmer encourage faculty from all disciplines to consider the Soltis Center for study abroad programs. With its world-class facilities, supportive staff, and rich biodiversity, they say it’s a hidden gem that deserves more attention.
“If you’re thinking about study abroad, this is the place to do it,” Song said. “It’s a gift to our university—and to our students.”
For more information or to develop a study abroad program at the Soltis Center, send an email to the Soltis Center Director, Dr. Eugenio Gonzalez, at egonzalez.soltis.center@tamu.edu
About Global Engagement
The Department of Global Engagement strategically aligns several critical internationally focused units bringing together Education Abroad, International Student & Scholar Services, and Global Partnerships & Initiatives. As a hub of resources and partnerships, Global Engagement fosters the University’s commitment to solving the world’s most pressing problems through a focus on transformational international education and research that serves our local communities and the world at large.