Costa Rica Summer High School Leadership Program

The leaderships that my PC’s has and leaders were amazing. They always made sure that we was always okay and that we were always happy. My leaders were always taking good responsibility of us and we trusted them to talk to them about anything. Being on this trip we didn’t really lacked anything. We always had something to do and I loved being with all these amazing kids. We all was able to be leaders throughout the trip and knowing each other through it. Leadership was something that really made my mind stand out bc leadership is what is needed in life.

How can I put my experience into words? To the facilities, to my friends, to the staff they truly are one of a kind. I really did not have a bad experience on this trip. Every single day taught me a valuable lesson in which I hope will remain with me in my future endeavors. I was able to witness the citizens experience life which truly struck a cord with me. On the last couple of days were spent on elementary school as we helped them make a better learning environment. How can I not recommend this experience to anybody else as it shaped who I am. I was nervous when I first applied to Global Glimpse but now I realize there was no need. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more confident in who I am. I have recommended this to everybody I know who is younger than me. So I recommend anyone who comes across this program to participate.

Costa Rica is the first country that I visited outside of the United States. This experience was initially nerve-racking for me but despite my initial concerns, I encouraged myself to go into it with an open mind and I’m glad that I did. I had the time of my life in Costa Rica. The trip opened my mind to what life is like outside of the US. I met new friends that I likely never would’ve crossed paths with if I hadn’t gone on the trip. I also made connections with the locals, one example being Doña Vera, our cook. I’ll always cherish my time in Costa Rica. In the United States, it’s very normalized to be individualistic and that’s why so many people here feel alone. In Costa Rica, the sense of community was so strong and you could tell that even strangers cared for each other. Despite the language barrier between me and Doña Vera, we still found ways to communicate and show our appreciation towards each other. One of the most heartwarming moments that happened on my trip was when she hugged me after I gave her a letter of appreciation and she wrote one for me as well. Many of the Glimpsers also made sure that I felt safe and included and I still appreciate that daily. Yes, the country and the trip itself are amazing and beautiful but it’s the people that left a lasting impression on me. I miss Costa Rica daily but I appreciate the memories and the lessons I learned along the way.

This past summer in 2024, I had the opportunity to travel to Turrialba, Costa Rica through the Global Glimpse program. I can easily say that this has been one of the best moments of my life, and will undoubtedly be a summer I remember for years to come. With so many exciting activities, such as a waterfall hike, a coffee plantation tour, a dairy farm visit, a tour through Cartago, and working on our Community Action Project, we learned so much about the culture and environment of Costa Rica. My trip to Costa Rica has given me the opportunity to learn so much more about both the world and myself, and I recommend this program to all rising seniors as it is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Although it’s hard to pick just one, my favorite memory of my Global Glimpse trip was the day we visited a coffee plantation and a dairy farm. At the coffee plantation, we learned about the coffee plants and even got to pick coffee beans and try them. Surprisingly, they tasted very sweet. Later on, we went to a local dairy farm to learn more about the cheese-making process, and I even got to milk my first cow!! Even though I was initially hesitant, it will certainly be something I will never forget, marking just one of my experiences with Global Glimpse.
For our Community Action Project, we filled in cracks with cement in the Aquiares Elementary School gym and painted the outdoor lunch huts. During recess, we played soccer and other games with the kids and got to know them better. On our final day in Turrialba, we were invited to a special dance performance at the school, where students performed a dance for the upcoming holiday. Seeing the students use the gym was incredibly rewarding and joyful, after all of the work we put in to repair it for them. I will never forget the smiles on their faces during the dance, and feeling proud that we were able to give something back to the community that can be used for years to come.
Although many aspects of the trip may seem a little scary at first, you have nothing to worry about!! Traveling alone to a new country can be daunting, but everybody at Global Glimpse, including our fellow travelers, is always super welcoming! From meeting at the airport to playing card games and talking at night, I formed lasting friendships with so many of my peers. During the trip we got to learn so much about ourselves; including our leadership capabilities and knowing that we can be ok in a new environment with new people. We got to learn so much about the environment and challenges of Costa Rica, and how the concerns can be addressed. During the trip I made memories with some of the best people I have ever met that will last for a lifetime. Although I am sad that the trip ended, I can think back to all of my memories and learnings and smile knowing that I will never forget it!

What is there beyond your world? The internet promises to tell you, social media can show you, but to truly understand involves more curiosity. Personally, there is no other feeling like stepping out of a cold airplane into the humid air of Costa Rica, but don't take my word for it I welcome you to experience it yourself.

Global Glimpse was a genuine coach to me as an inexperienced traveler. Thanks to Global Glimpse's mentorship I was no longer simply a tourist, student, or passerby but all combined. Their well organized schedule kept the program's purpose at the forefront of our learning, with daily nightly meetings were everyone came together to share their reflections of the day, but the discussion was always centered around the prompt of the day like Community or Conservation. I also had the liberty to explore with new friends and purchase from Costa Rica's markets which saw me smiling with savory carnitas and soft oh sweet Budin(I am still waiting for the next time I get a good Budin).

My story heavily depended on the help of my family and support system, all of whom I missed dearly, but I truly made the trip a personal adventure. Because Global Glimpse provided this opportunity I was able to personally grow in ways I had not imagined.

To say my trip to Costa Rica with Global Glimpse changed my life would be an understatement. Throughout my two week trip, I was able to learn so much about the history and culture of Costa Rica. I interacted with locals and made conversation, especially when we visited the senior center and bonded with many elders. As a bilingual person, being able to even help with translation felt fulfilling but also educational. As I translated for my peers, I was also able to teach them words in spanish along with some local elders words in english.Towards the end of the trip my group and I were able to help fix up a skate park for the community. Of course, as we were digging holes, painting, cleaning and so much more, the locals fed us and helped us with whatever we needed. We laughed and danced with the locals that helped us despite the language barrier between many of us. We made a difference in their lives just as much as they did to us. I learned how to be appreciate everything in life and how to make sustainable change for myself and others around me. Global Glimpse has helped me and my peers become a better person. We are able to take our knowledge and skills from the trip and apply it to our daily lives when we came back.

Being apart of Global Glimpse was an amazing experience that I got to be part of. I got to travel to an amazing country and learn so much about it. It really got me out of my comfort zone. I got to meet so many amazing people and create some good bonds. The activities we did made me really get close to everyone in the program. I got to try the different food and got to work within the community. It was an overall amazing experience and I would definitely recommend people to go on a Global Glimpse trip.

Choosing to be apart of this community was the greatest experience I could’ve ever made! This trip taught me empathy and compassion, it revealed to me parts of my personality that I cherish deeply now and help me meet my forever best friends. Getting the true experience of this country through service-learning, getting the chance to improve and branch out my leadership skills and expand my horizon. Experiences such as connecting with locals through C.A.P was heartwarming and perspective changing!