Protecting the Pacific: an Unforgettable Experience

I initially signed up for a trip with Global Leadership Adventures because I was so shy that I was afraid to going places without people I knew, and I wanted to change that. When I met the other students traveling to Costa Rica my shyness dissipated. All the students on my trip were genuine and open to learning about a new culture. When we landed in Costa Rica two mentors were right there waiting for us with a sign. Later we met the other mentors, and it was quite apparent that all the mentors loved Costa Rica, and wanted to share their love for the country, culture, and people with us. We worked on multiple service projects that immersed us in the community of Bahía Ballena, including beautifying the beaches, building biogardens, playing with school children, and painting murals in the town. The variety of community service exposed me to many different aspects of the Costa Rican culture, and prevented me from ever feeling bored. Being able to see the finished products of our service really showed the positive impact we had on the community. Community members also helped us with our service project, which gave me the opportunity to practice my Spanish. Not everyone on the trip knew Spanish, but we were encouraged to learn and practice it. We also got to do activities like surfing, kayaking, zip lining, hiking, and going to a waterfall. There was a perfect balance between service and excursions. During down time we learned more about the environment and how we could conserve it. We had group discussions, talks with locals, and group presentations on different environmental topics. All these activities broadened my awareness of the impact humans have on the world, and how even little things like turning trash into art would help the environment. At the end of my two weeks in Costa Rica I left with twenty two friends that I felt like I had known all my life. I also left with greater confidence in myself and my ability to overcome my shyness. It was a truly amazing trip that I would recommend for anyone who is looking to have a life changing experience.