Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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AUGUST 4
Hola hola families and friends,
Today our students finally arrived in Costa Rica, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome them. ¡Bienvenid@s, chic@s!
The group landed in San José late this afternoon, and we then made our way to our beautiful home base in the mountains of Heredia. After enjoying a delicious Costa Rican dinner, we gathered for our first mentor groups, sharing our excitement for the adventure ahead. We wrapped up the evening with an early night, so everyone could recharge and be ready for the upcoming days.
Over this program, students will immerse themselves in Costa Rican culture and connect with the local communities of Heredia and Barva in a truly meaningful way. We can’t wait to share their journey with you, so be sure to keep following this blog for updates on all of our leaders’ incredible adventures!
You GLA Costa Rica team,
Juvel, Maggie, July, Carlos and Pablo
AUGUST 5
Before arriving in Costa Rica, I pictured colorful homes, beautiful scenery, and a country surrounded by nature. What I didn’t expect was just how much character everything would have. One of the first things I noticed was how every house seemed unique. Many were painted bright colors and had their own style, making each neighborhood feel full of personality. Coming from the Boston area, where many apartment buildings and suburban neighborhoods can look very similar, it was refreshing to see homes that reflected individuality. The landscape is just as incredible as I imagined. Towering mountains, dense forests, and vibrant flowers surround you almost everywhere you go. Everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful to take in. One thing that especially stood out to me was Costa Rica’s commitment to protecting its natural environment. It was inspiring to learn how much importance the country places on preserving its national parks. It made me reflect on conversations happening back home about development and conservation and reminded me how important it is to find a balance between growth and protecting the places that make our world unique. The food has also been one of my favorite parts of the trip. Many meals are made with fresh, whole ingredients, and the fruit juices taste like they came straight from the fruit itself. Compared to how easy it is to rely on processed foods and drinks at home, it has been refreshing to experience meals that feel so simple and natural. Another fact that intrigued me was learning that Costa Rica has not had a standing army since 1948. Instead of maintaining a military, the country has historically invested more of those resources in areas like education and environmental protection. While priorities can change depending on each administration, I found it interesting to learn about this different approach. It also reminded me of how important education is everywhere. Whether in Costa Rica, the United States, or anywhere else, investing in young people gives them the opportunity to build brighter futures and strengthen their communities. However, it was our service work that gave me the truest experience of the Pura Vida lifestyle. I had the opportunity to interact with many young students, and everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming. Even though there was somewhat of a language barrier, we worked through it and found ways to communicate with one another. It reminded me that kindness and laughter don’t always need words. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve such an amazing community. This experience strengthened qualities that I hope to carry with me throughout my life, including open mindedness, empathy, and communication. GLA not only helps me grow as a person but also gives young people like me the chance to appreciate the many differences we encounter when exploring new countries. Seeing another way of life firsthand reminds us that traveling isn’t just about visiting new places it’s about learning from them.
– Layla
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 6
Hello, Carlos’ mentor group here from Costa Rica!
We woke up today in the beautiful mountains of Heredia covered with flog. After a traditional breakfast we departed for our adventure day in the Pacific coast of the country. We had a longish bus ride but we were happy because we could stop to buy some snacks. We were so excited when we saw the ocean for the first time on the trip. We arrived to the adventure in the rainforest and got ready for the thrills. First we ascended through the jungle riding a gondola, which was kind of scary! From the top we started our descent zip lining through the trees!! Some of us were scared, but we fought through our fears and we all made it! After seeing some butterflies and a coati we headed to the beach to have lunch! The waves were big and the sand was black. We enjoyed some free time there before going back to our homebase in the Costa Rican mountains.
– Quadir and Victory
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 7
Yesterday morning we woke up and ate breakfast, after that we went to the school for our community service to finish up what we started. We went to lunch after that then we went to the marketplace at Heredia where we bought some fruits, looked inside of the church, and had aome ice cream. Then we went to home base had our dance class, and after that we had dinner. After we had some food we went to the Salon and had our last activity called the appreciation circle, where we gave the people the appreciation that they deserved throughout our week. Then we all had some free time hangout with our friends and to relax before we had to leave heading back home.
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 8
Hola friends and families!
Sadly, our program has come to an end, and today it was time to leave beautiful Costa Rica and return to the warmth and comfort of home. We departed early in the morning for the airport, where our GLA staff team said their goodbyes to the CHV students and chaperones.
This group was an absolute joy to be around, and we can’t believe how many incredible memories we packed into just five days. Every student showed courage by stepping outside their comfort zone, embracing new experiences with curiosity and enthusiasm. We hope this journey has brought each of them one step closer to becoming the leader they aspire to be.
Our GLA staff team wishes you all the best!
– Juvel, Maggie, July, Pablo and Carlos
