Our favorite moments of our program so far!

The Costa Rica Mini Group is over halfway through their program and has had so many unique experiences. Read about their favorite ones so far!

Asher

Favorite moment: surfing in Uvita!

• My favorite part of surfing was learning a new hobby.
• I enjoyed it so much because it was very gratifying getting up on the board after so many tries.
• It was also fun doing a party wave with Rachel and Liv.

Liv

Favorite moment: the sunset swim on our kayak expedition

• After a long morning kayak and a heavy afternoon rain, the sun came out just in time for a beautiful sunset.
• We swam in the warm water right beside our campsite, watching the sky change colors and listening to the rumbling thunder.
• It was one of those surreal moments that brings you fully into the present, with nothing on your mind but what’s right in front of you.

Mallory

Favorite moment: the hike from Rancho Tinamu 

• The hike was very steep and challenging at parts but we saw some beautiful views and enjoyed lots of laughs.
• We crossed over some river rapids via cable car which was a cool experience.
• We enjoyed a fantastic lunch at a farmhouse in the valley.

Remi

Favorite moment: the kayaking expedition

• I really enjoyed kayaking because I've never been before and being able to have that new experience (in Costa Rica) was really cool
• Kayaking was definitely challenging and tiring but I liked pushing myself.
• We had a great time cooling off in the ocean every couple of hours and I loved experiencing camping for the first time as well.

Bel

Favorite moment: Rancho Mastatal

• Staying at Rancho Mastatal was such an eye-opening and exciting experience, I loved learning from this community of people who have dedicated their life to a more sustainable lifestyle and see their passion for the craft of permaculture. 
• The permaculture farm was incredible, some highlights I must mention were most definitely the cuisine, the fermentation process we got to be a part of to make green papaya kimchi and the waterfall we got to cliff jump from!

Keara

Favorite moment: bioluminescence

• Near the Curu Wildlife Refuge we went on a night bioluminescence tour just off of Tortuga Island. We jumped off the boat into the middle of the ocean, our  bodies introducing oxygen, and the Luciferin carrying plankton produced light all around us. 
• It was such a magical and surreal experience, as we were literally glowing in the middle of the ocean in Costa Rica. This was one of the primary moments when I realized that this trip is one of a lifetime, and when I truly came to appreciate how special Costa Rica is in its biodiversity.
• Lighting up the otherwise dark ocean with our silhouettes, swimming with my newly made friends, I count this as one of the most special parts of this trip, but also in all my other travels.

Rachel

Favorite moment: zip lining in Monte Verde

• I loved our zip lining experience we had in Monte Verde. We got to do the longest zip line in Costa Rica and a tarzan swing where we free falled through the air then swung super high. It was so exhilarating and a memorable experience and I loved seeing all the students smiling faces as they came in on the zip lines.

Grady

Favorite moment: homestays

• Asher and I stayed in a home near Monte Verde with a wonderful family of ranchers. 
• We played cards, laughed, learned new phrases, had wooden sword fights, talked about surfing, played with the dogs and really became a part of this family. 
• The most beautiful part of this experience for me was when we all went to Sierra Pinocho on a cloudless night and sat together in darkness gazing at the stars.

Chloe

Favorite moment: the animal rescue center

• I particularly enjoyed the construction element of this volunteering project. We also worked cleaning the animal enclosures, moving deer between enclosures and prepping food for the animals (with the needed medication). 
• We met some really cool people from all over the world. 
• We had a tour and we were introduced to all the animals and their reasons behind being at the center. It made me appreciate all the hard work these people do 24/7 for the animals. 
• We also got to partake in vet talks, movie nights, playing cards, football, and to top it off a really fun karaoke night. 

Marcus

Favorite moment: cocoa tour

• During the first part of our trip we were able to learn about the whole process of how cacao fruit is transformed into one of my favorite desserts, chocolate. 
• We were able to try cacao at every step while it transitioned into chocolate and were able to learn how each new step was discovered.
• I’m glad I was able to learn about the chocolate making process and also able to try it directly from the source.

Verny

Favorite moment: hanging out with everybody

• Spending time with everyone in this group
• Be able to serve others in local communities and learn from them the happiness of life in nature, surrounded by cows instead of cars, mountains instead of buildings, rivers instead of highways and most importantly surrounded by nice and kind people that appreciate life as it is.