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
Click here to jump down to the most recent post!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 12
Hola from Costa Rica!
We are so excited to welcome 23 amazing students to Paraiso. After a long travel day we enjoyed burritos on the bus ride home, getting to know the students and learning about the adventure awaiting us this week. Upon arrival to home base we took a walk to the local supermarket, ate a traditional Costa Rican dinner, did a team building activity, and learned some new card games. We can already tell that this is an amazing group of students, and we can’t wait to spend the next 2 weeks with them! We are excited to welcome Kayla, Uriah, Kai, Malena, Caroline, Dagny, and Sarah when they arrive later tonight and tomorrow.
– Juvel, Jack, Leslie, and Julianne
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13
Hi families,
This morning we woke up and ate a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Then we had orientation and got to know the staff and one another with creative ice breakers. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch before departing to tour Paraíso, including the Basílica, a gorgeous church, and museums where we learned more about Costa Rican culture and history. We then got ice cream from a local ice cream shop to cool off before a Costa Rican dance class where we learned salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. We concluded our night with a dinner of pasta and team building activity. We look forward to tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Sejal and Sira
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 14
Bienvenidos parents!
We woke up this morning and enjoyed a nice breakfast which consisted of American/costa rican avacado toast. Then we excitingly got on the bus and immediately played regaton the entire ride and brought us all closer. We arrived at the zip line start and then had to hike up a hill which took about 20 minutes and was very challenging. Finally arriving to the top we received our harnesses and were given a safety briefing. After that we hit the skies and genuinely soared through the rainforest.
After our sky adventure we took the bus back to the house and had a tasty delicious lunch, which consist of pollo y arroz y frutas. Then we were given a lesson on vision testing for tomorrow and some of us went to the market and bought traditional snacks and Doritos. We then regrouped and played imposter as a leaders of the day activity. Finally chow circle which we chose new leaders for the next day and shoutouts! After we ate a yummy dinner which had pork and potato’s which was amazing. Finally ending in choosing mentor groups and bonding together while discovering new connections. Cheers to tomorrow, pura vida!
Amazingly,
Davis and Kay
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15
Dear Parents,
Today we woke up at ate a delicious egg dish and fruit. After, we went to San Ignacio School to give vision tests to the students. First, we got to watch the younger kids perform a play about the Day of the Tree. We got to talk and bond with all the kids and help them get glasses if needed. We got to point out the letters to the kids, walk them through the process, and even practice Spanish phrases.
Then, we came back to home base for lunch which was a chicken pot pie lasagna. Then we had a dental lecture from a doctor from Costa Rica. Then we played soccer with some local kids and had the best time. Then we went to Walmart for some necessities. Then we had dinner, a roast beef in soup. We ended the night with a game of mafia. We are preparing for tomorrow to wake up bright and early!
Hasta luego,
Emma and Caroline
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17
Dear Parents,
Today we woke up at 6:45am ready for a full day. To prepare for this day we ate French Toast. Then we headed straight to the school with our props for the skits we were gonna do for the day. In this skit, we were gonna show how important it was to brush your teeth to the young children. We did eye exams for the older children, and they went very well. The purpose of this exam was to make sure the students that were being tested could see in class and make sure that they didn’t need to go see the optometrist for glasses. For lunch today, we went back to home base and ate Sopa Azteca. It was very good and warm and brought good spirits for the rest of the day.
Then, after lunch, we headed back to the school in order to test the younger kids vision. We finished up the with the kids, and we did the leader of the day activity. Today’s activity was a game called Psychiatrist, which was really fun to play. Then, after the activity, we had dinner. Today was pork, potatoes, veggies, fruit and arroz con leche. At 7:15 to 9:15, we had a great guest speaker who is a physical therapist. She talked about how we were going to go about, handing our business with the elderly for tomorrow. Then it was lights out after a great long day.
Pura vida!!!!!!!
Victoria 🍏 y Kai 🍎
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18
Hola ¿como estas padres?,
We started off our day with a 7am wake up and a delicious 7:45 breakfast that included eggs, fruit, and empanadas. Then we headed over to the elderly day center to do physical therapy exercises with them. We also played some games and had a dance party! After that, we went back to home base for lunch. Our original activity got cancelled due to the rain so we had the option to go to the soccer fields instead. We bussed back to home base where we had an intellectually stimulating debate about AI. Later that afternoon, we went to a local gym to watch a Costa Rican cultural dance. We ended the night with an amazing dinner.
Lots of love, Sarah and Ninah 🤗🤗
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19
Dear Parents,
Today we woke up at 7:00 and had breakfast, which was pancakes, at 7:45. Next, we left at 8:30 to go to the Elderly Day Center. Upon arrival, we made balloons to work with their movement and celebrate our last day with them! We danced and bonded to Hispanic classics and learned many fun dance moves. When it was time to say goodbye, we gave out our cards that we made for them and it so wholesome. Many of us cried due to the goodbyes of our new best friends. After we left the Elders, we went to a sight seeing valley to take pictures and enjoy the view of Costa Rica! Then, we came back for lunch (Cheesy potato’s and ham) and soon after we played dolphin 🐬. At 2:00, we had a guest speaker come to home base and tell us all about elderly care in Costa Rica. At 3:30, Leslie’s Mentor Group had their cooking class where they made cheesy tortillas and Jack’s Mentor Group had a reflection over their service. At 4:30, the groups switched. At 5:45, We had an epic lip-sync/dance battle organized by the leaders of the day. At 6:45, We had dinner (Fish and Rice). To finish off the night, we watched Pitch Perfect!!! Divertido 🥰🥰🥰
Pura Vida
Caroline 🤠 Uriah 💃
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20
Dear parents,
We woke up bright and early and started our day with avocado toast, eggs and fruit for breakfast. We started our long bus ride to the volcano where many people got motion sickness but don’t worry everyone was good. When we arrived we met with our tour guide who explained the history and culture around the volcano. After our 2 hour hike, we got ice cream and drinks at a cafe and started our ride home. We had a picnic lunch at a local park with rice and chicken, beans, chips, fruit, salad and fun drinks. We exercised at the park and played volleyball. After that we went back to home base to rest for a little and then went to Walmart. When we got back from Walmart, we did the leader of the day activity which was a fun group game. After that we had dinner which was tacos and fruit. Then we played silent football which was very fun and entertaining. After that everyone showered and went to bed! Goodnight and we’ll catch up with you tomorrow!
Pura Vida,
Bridget and Malena
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23
Dear parents,
First we woke up to a delicious hotel breakfast weather that was Mediterranean, traditional Costa Rican breakfast, or pancakes. After breakfast, we spent the morning at a waterfall taking photos and swimming. For lunch we had burritos and lemonade. The afternoon was spent at the beach and we experienced an amazing surfing class. Before dinner we stopped at a restaurant to take photos with a beautiful view of the beach and ordered drinks such as smoothies. Everyone dressed up to celebrate the last night here in Uvita before we head back to home base in Cartago tomorrow. We closed the night with pizza for dinner, a quick stop at the market, and night swimming. Today was a memorable day as we spent our last few activities together before we head home.
Travel day is fast approaching!
With love,
Audrey and Bali 😊
