PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures 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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JULY 13
Hello from Paraiso, our new home for the next 2 weeks.
We had staggered arrivals today and have enjoyed getting to know the students as they landed in San Jose. Ace, Lily and Annika arrived in the morning and spent the day settling in and playing games. Our second group arrived at home base in the late afternoon! We spent the evening doing a supermarket run, making signs for our rooms and playing catchphrase. We are excited to meet the 7 students that are arriving tonight and tomorrow, and we cannot wait to (hopefully) be all together tomorrow evening.
Julianne, Milena, Brett, and Lucy
JULY 14
We started our day with a wake-up call from our leaders of the day, Gracie and Ace, around 8:00 am before our 8:30 breakfast. We ate chocolate chip pancakes, papaya, white cheese, and bizcocho de queso. We hung out until our orientation at 9:15 which covered our GLA itinerary, safety protocols (which included some safety scenario reenactments!), GLA policies, and GLA/Costa Rican values. Students also made living agreements with their new roommates which included things like shower schedules, bedtime, wake-up times, and cleanliness. Today was filled with a lot of new icebreakers like name-games and would-you-rather’s. We learned that Raelynn could do a back handspring and Guy studies quantum physics in his free time. The students had many opportunities for free time, but chose to spend it together playing more games, like Mafia, a fun roleplay game. Afterwards, we had beef lasagna, salad, rice & beans, and more papaya for lunch. Our guest speaker, Melisa Montiel, came in after lunch to talk about Costa Rican healthcare and to debrief us on what we are going to be doing at the elderly care center tomorrow morning. We then took a trip to the local park and supermarket to grab some snacks before dinner. For dinner we had fish, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and fresh fruit. The students then played more games before we discussed the cell phone policy and our opinions on social media. Many students agreed that their favorite part of their stay so far were the people they’ve met and the connections they’ve made. We had some down time until lights out.
Gracie and Ace
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
Hola! From all your kids in Costa Rica. We started off our day at 7:45 eating rice, beans, corn cake and, watermelon for breakfast. Once we were all done eating we left at 8:30to start our service with the elders. While we were there we did a warm up dance with them, played a date game, then we tested some of their abilities like how fast they walk, how many sit to stands they can do, can they draw a clock, and can they connect the numbers.
After we finished we went back to home base to eat lunch at 12:30. For lunch we had chicken, potatoes, roasted pineapple, vegetables, and lemon mousse pudding. At 1:30 Edward came and talked about the population in Costa Rica, mainly about they elders and how in 2035 their will be 1 million elders living and how family only have 1 or 2 kids.
Once that was finished we got 25 minutes of down time. Then we left to play a game of soccer with the locals, which was very enjoyable for everyone. After we headed back to home base to shower and have some down time before dinner.
Before dinner we always have a chow circle to shout-out what everyones did from the day, for example someone shouted out that everyone did a great job on their first day of service. For dinner we had rice, beans, pork, and vegetables. Once that was finished we had a culture presentation and we learned more about the culture and that they have no military and they don’t celebrate Halloween.
After all of that we were surprised with s’mores to end out day.
Gracias, Lily and Alivia
BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
We started the morning by traveling back to the Elderly Care Center where we danced and played different games with the residents to help utilize their motor and cognitive skills. We then came back to Paraíso to have a lovely lunch before we listened to a presentation about the social determinants of health for tuberculosis. The presentation gave background needed for our adventure to a tourist site of an abandoned tuberculosis hospital named the “Sanatoria Duran”. After our visit to the historical site we took a trip to walmart to get any forgotten necessities, and of course snacks! We returned to our home-base once again to partake in our Leader of the Day activity which was an active game for the entire group before we had a very traditional Costa Rican dinner. After dinner, we broke into mentor groups to have a time of learning and reflection about the GLA leadership pillars and goal setting. We finished the day by taking time to come together and bond even more as a whole group.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 17
This morning we went to a museum about the Costa Rican currency and gold. We then went souvenir shopping in San Jose. After lunch we played soccer with the locals and to our leaders surprise- we won! When we got back we had great debate about the Costa Rican health system. After dinner we had mentor group games to determine which group got to do laundry first. We painted our face green or white depending for the group and played 3 different games. Our favorite was the contest to see who could sing the most songs with the word “baby” in it. And of course we (the green team) won. Overall, we an awesome day and were so tired we didn’t even get told to quiet down after lights out.
– Guy and L’varion
BLOG POST FOR JULY 18
Today we started our day a little bit later than usual! After gaining a few extra minutes of beauty sleep we were treated by a lovely avocado toast breakfast and delicious eggs. We then headed into the city of Cartago and visited the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles. We had the opportunity to go inside the church and witness the beautiful architecture as well as the worship.
Afterwards, we walked to the Museo Monicpal de Cartago and walked through the colorful gardens. Unfortunately, the museum was closed but we headed to the supermarket to complete a scavenger hunt! Whether looking for Costa Rican fruits, statues, or signs displaying “Pollo Pura Vida,” we were able to navigate ourselves through the busy market by using our Spanish speaking skills. After (winning) the scavenger hunt, we headed to McDonalds to grab some ice cream. We headed back to home base to refuel with a wonderful lunch before burning off many calories at dance class. We performed many variations of traditional Costa Rican dances such as salsa, merengue, and bachata. We all had a great time, including the boys!
We headed back to home base, sweaty and exhausted. Luckily, our amazing leaders of the day planned another scavenger hunt in the park. Groups were assigned with many tasks including singing the Costa Rican national anthem and running around the park chanting, “We love Costa Rica.” The winners were awarded with grabbing dinner first and of course, bragging rights. We then had a cooking class back at home base preparing tomorrow morning’s breakfast featuring tamales. Delicioso! We had some free time and were able to relax after our busy morning. Dinner was fantastic as always! We ate some chicken soup and rice, and many students found it to instill a “home-like comfort.”
We wrapped up our day with mentor groups, each sharing shoutouts per person. This activity was truly special. We were able to shine a light on each individual and make each other feel loved. Overall, we had such a fulfilling and busy day, and we are looking forward to our volcanic hike tomorrow! Pura Vida y hasta luego.
– Sophia and Micah
BLOG POST FOR JULY 19
We started the day off earlier than usual, with the leaders waking everyone up at 6:30. We had a wonderful breakfast of the empanadas we made yesterday. Knowing we worked hard to make them made them even more delicious! We also had bread pudding and cereal, so breakfast was extra sweet!
We then set off for our volcano hike. The 1.5-hour-long bus ride offered beautiful views as we climbed our way up. Unfortunately, due to our tour guide getting sick, we were unable to hike up the volcano. Instead, we got to visit one of Costa Rica’s national parks and learn a lot about their history as we hiked through the trails. This adventure tired everyone out, so after returning to home base and eating our lunch of chicken lasagna, veggies and arroz con leche, we got some break time to relax.
Then, at 4:00 most of us set off to Walmart to once again stock up on snacks and any other necessities. And most importantly, we got ice cream. The other (slightly smaller) group went to the indoor field to play an intense game of soccer with the locals that culminated in them winning!! Then, we returned and got some free time.
At 6:00pm, we did our Leader of the Day Activity, which was several rounds of heads up and charades. Our competing teams were Scooby Doo and Salami Chipwich and after some fast paced rounds, Salami Chipwich came out on top. Then we ate dinner, which was a traditional Costa Rican meal called Chifrijo (rice, kidney beans, fried pork, pico de gallo, and avocado) with some tortilla chips, fruit and more rice pudding.
Finally, at 7:30pm we began preparing for our dental campaign. We got into groups and started brainstorming for skits that we will be performing for schoolchildren later this week. Then we had more free time before in room time and lights out at 10:00pm. Overall, today was a very exciting day, despite the slight changes in the schedule!
Ebella and Kavina
BLOG POST FOR JULY 20
Hello from Costa Rica!
Today we woke up bright and early around 6:45 and ate a delicious and fulfilling breakfast before getting ready for a fun zipline adventure. We left for the excursion at 8:00 and set out to conquer our fears. The zipline expedition consisted of an intense hike up to the first line, and then 11 thrilling ziplines and 2 stomach dropping rappels. Many of us conquered our fears, specifically Alivia. She was faced with a treacherous obstacle when a tree limb fell onto the line she was zipping down. Thankfully, she is fine and looking forward to her next zipline adventure (without the branch next time). To celebrate this achievement, our wonderful cooking staff baked a cake for her.
After ziplining, we came home to a delicious lunch of “olla de carne” and fueled up for the rest of the day. Next, most of us went to another dance lesson because we enjoyed the first lesson so much! While the people that stayed home went to the store to stock up on snacks.
For our leader of the day activity, we took everyone up to the park and passed the volleyball and football around. Then we came home to the incredible smell of fried rice and devoured our dinner after an exhausting day. We all hung out for a little but then went to bed right away to be well rested for tomorrow’s early morning.
– Rhea and Alyssa
BLOG POST FOR JULY 21
Today everyone woke up around 6:30 and ate breakfast. After breakfast we got dressed in our scrubs and headed to the school to get ready to do eye exams on the students. Once we got to the school we set everything up and got ready for the kids to come in for their exams everyone was excited to see the little kids. The eye exams went great we screened about 200 kids and most of them we think need glasses and have been sent to be screened for the second time to officially determine if they need them. After the screening they are officially told if they need the glasses or not. After we screened most of the children we ate lunch any enjoyed the rest the day around our home base. Once we got to home base everyone got comfortable and ready to enjoy our afternoon. In the afternoon some of us went to go get ice cream and pizza and then we came back to home base and had some free time. After free time we all went downstairs to play the leader of the day activity and that was a fun game of spoons but with a twist. We then went to chow circle and said our shout outs. Then we enjoyed some dinner and mentor jeopardy and then we head to bed!
– Cat and Jamia
BLOG POST FOR JULY 22
Oh hello from Costa Rica!
After eating a delicious breakfast we went on our way to a different school to administer more vision tests and dental campaigns for our last day of service! The vision testing was once again successful, and the children absolutely loved our dental campaign skits. After each skit we passed out toothbrushes to each and every child. We then had a little break, but soon after our amazing kitchen staff had made us lunch to enjoy at the school. Shortly afterwards more children were ready to be screened. Then after a successful day of screening over 100 children and educating them on dental hygiene we headed off to walmart to get some much needed snacks for tomorrow’s beach roadtrip. Back at home base everyone is just getting settled in or hanging out in common areas talking about our amazing day. Rae, Cat, Sophia and Kavina made some delicious brownies for everyone while we had some down time!
As 6 o’clock rolls around everyone gets ready for the leader of the day activity.. which was an amazing game of JUST DANCE!! It was such a fun idea and it allowed everyone let loose and bond in such a fun way. We had such an amazing dinner that consisted of chicken tortilla soup and peach cheesecake thanks to our awesome kitchen staff. We then headed into our mentor groups where we played a game of “hot seat”. Which gave us the opportunity to learn some funny or deep questions about our peers such as “how do you like your chicken cooked?” After mentor groups we headed up to our rooms to pack our last bit of things before heading off to Uvita tomorrow! Today was such a successful and fun day thanks to everyone involved.
Pura vida!
Rae and Oliva
BLOG POST FOR JULY 23
We had an early start to head to the beach at Uvita. When we arrived we went to La Fogata for lunch and ate some pollo and gallo pinto. Then we checked in to the hotel, took the swim test, and went to the waterfalls to swim. We had time after that to go home and rest before our dinner. Then we had a fun mentor activity of show and tell, with a picture of something valuable then talked about it. After we had a hangout at the pool and then went to bed to get some rest before the beach day tomorrow.
LV and Annika
BLOG POST FOR JULY 26
I don’t think we can accurately state how amazing these last two weeks have been. We got a little behind on the blog because we were enjoying our last nights together swimming in the pool and singing karaoke. Our beach excursion was filled with lots of time on the beach, surfing, plenty of sunburns and of course lots of smiles! As departure day arrives, we will truly miss each of the students we have been honored have with us for the last 14 days. Homebase feels so empty & we are thankful for the 20 students that made this trip unforgettable. We encountered many challenges this trip and it was incredible to see how the students worked together to support each other and overcome them. Thank you so much for sharing your students with us for the past two weeks. We will never forget the memories we have together. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the last few days & more will be sent out vía google photos in the next few weeks!
Julianne, Brett, Milena, and Lucy
