Day 1: May 18, 2025
¡Bienvenidos chicos! An incredible day to welcome the group on this new adventure in Costa Rica. A delicious lunch awaited the group, and then they headed to Flamingo where they met their tica families. Nerveous and excited, the students hugged their mamás ticas with a smile on their faces. Their new family will inmerse them in the local traditions and lifestyle of Costa Rica.
Day 2: May 19, 2025
¡Un día nuevo! Perfect to start spanish classes with an emphasis in medicine, the students arrived at CPI Flamingo to meet their professors who will guide them through this new learning opportunity. For lunch, the students ate arroz con pollo, cooked with their own hands. That's right! They became chefs of Costarican cuisine and prepared a delicious local dish and continued their day with a full stomach ready to go to one of the most beautiful beaches Costa Rica has to offer.
Day 3: May 20, 2025
After a morning full of classes and activities, the group headed to Tamarindo which is another area of Guanacaste the students explored. ¡Hay muchas cosas que ver! Especially the large and beautiful beach.
Day 4: May 21, 2025
¡Pura vida a todos! Another sunny day full of learning Spanish. The students have improved a lot and learned new words every day. In the afternoon, Dra. Gloriana who is an amazing nutritionist, met with the group and gave a talk regarding health. Todo estuvo muy interesante.
Day 5: May 22, 2025
¡El sol nos llama! The students continued their Spanish classes, diving deeper into medical terminology and practicing their conversational skills. ¡Han aprendido muchas palabras nuevas! After a morning of lessons, they headed to the stunning Flamingo Beach where they spent the afternoon soaking up the sun and swimming.
Day 6: May 23, 2025
What a better way to celebrate a week of spanish classes than with a graduation that represents all the efforts the group made in class. ¡Felicidades a todos! The profesoras already miss you but this adventure is not over! Today the group headed to Conchal Beach to marvel at this breathtaking beach with cristal clear water.
Day 7: May 24, 2025
¡Aventura en las alturas! Today was a day of new landscapes as the group traveled to Monteverde. The bus ride offered the most incredible views, transforming from sunny beaches to green mountains. In the afternoon, they were more than ready and began their volunteering experience at Life Monteverde, connecting with the land and learning about sustainable practices. ¡Qué experiencia tan enriquecedora!
Day 8: May 25, 2025
¡Un día mágico en el bosque nuboso! The students woke up eager to explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Walking through the misty trails, all around were towering trees and unique flora, it definitely felt like stepping into another realm. And guess what? They had an amazing encounter with some coatis. ¡Pura vida en el bosque!
Day 9: May 26, 2025
¡Listos para aprender! The group had a very fascinating visit to a local clinic, where they observed the day-to-day operations and learned about healthcare in Costa Rica. But the learning didn't stop there! They also visited a veterinary clinic, getting a very intresting look at animal care and the unique challenges and joys of veterinary medicine in the province.
Day 10: May 27, 2025
The morning brought a fantastic opportunity for the students: a virtual chat with orthopedic doctors! Later, the group visited a local fire station. They met the brave firefighters, learned about emergency response, and even got to see the equipment up close. Believe it or not, they have to deal with an incredible amount of snakes per year ¡Que valientes!
Day 11: May 28, 2025
¡Sonrisas y sabiduría! Today started with a visit to a dentist, where the students learned about oral health and preventative care. But the highlight of the day was meeting Doña Digna, an incredible woman, mother of 11 children, who is 102 years young! She generously shared her secret to a long life: dancing! The students were captivated by her energy, and advice.
Day 12: May 29, 2025
Today was a truly special day for the group as they participated in a volunteering called "Siempre Amigos." They organized engaging nutrition activities for the children at the local school, teaching them about healthy eating in a fun and interactive way. Seeing the smiles on the children's faces and knowing they were making a positive impact was an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone. ¡Un cierre maravilloso para su aventura!
Esta fue una muy bella aventura. See you soon! ¡Pura vida!