Alumni stroll down memory lane
During the University’s recent twentieth commencement ceremony, alumni also celebrated the first reunion to take place over a graduation weekend. Graduates of five, ten, and fifteen years ago met on EARTH’s campus in Guácimo. Taking a few moments out of their brief visit, they shared memories of their time at EARTH and of their own graduation day.
Rosemary López
- Country: Costa Rica
- Year of Graduation: 1997
- Current Occupation: Technical consultant
What is the first memory that comes to mind about EARTH?
The moment my mother left me at the gate. I cried like it was the first day of kindergarten.
What has changed since the last time you were here?
I think it had more of a small-town feel back then, because we were fewer students and we cared for the University as if it were a newborn baby.
If you could return to EARTH as a student, what is the first thing you would do?
I would ride my bicycle around the forest reserve.
What is something you will never forget about your graduation?
Being reunited with my parents. They were so excited … My dad was acting like he was the graduate.
Imagine you could travel back in time to the day of your graduation, what would you tell yourself?
To be more disciplined and to choose better friends.
Jair Ortiz
- Country: Colombia
- Year of Graduation: 2002
- Current Occupation: Works at a Colombian company in the production and exportation of fresh flowers to the United States.
What is the first memory that comes to mind about EARTH?
Friendship.
What has changed since the last time you were here?
The people are different. There is representation from other continents, in this case Africa. The infrastructure has also changed, the farms have changed.
If you could return to EARTH as a student, what is the first thing you would do?
Draft a clear plan to take full advantage of the opportunities the University has to offer.
What is something you will never forget about your graduation?
I gave the graduation speech. I tried to summarize the four years I lived here and the incredible experience it was to meet people from other cultures, to learn through them, and visit their countries without travelling. It was a beautiful feeling.
Imagine you could travel back in time to the day of your graduation, what would you tell yourself?
Welcome, now you will begin to learn.
Neysi Rodríguez
- Country: Nicaragua
- Year of Graduation: 2007
- Current Occupation: Production supervisor at La Fundación de Educación y Emprendedurismo Rural (FEER) (the Foundation Rural Education and Entrepreneurship), a non-profit organization established to promote education and social development in Jinotega, Nicaragua.
What is the first memory that comes to mind about EARTH?
Friendships among classmates.
What has changed since the last time you were here?
A lot of things have changed. Especially in production, things have improved. There are also a few new places that didn’t exist when we were here – the coffee shop didn’t exist, the gift shop was a little different, now it’s more organized.
If you could return to EARTH as a student, what is the first thing you would do?
I wouldn’t change anything. I think the things I did I did them well. The first thing I did was form friendships and I would do the same.
What is something you will never forget about your graduation?
The final moments when I had to say goodbye to my classmates, that is something I will never forget.
Imagine you could travel back in time to the day of your graduation, what would you tell yourself?
I would tell myself to enjoy the moment and to always look to the future. Always.
Q bellos momentos!
Se formarán una grande família