PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
Cell Phone Policy: The GLA cell phone policy is currently in place this summer to help foster meaningful connections between students. This means your student’s phone will be collected every day and returned to them throughout the program during designated spaces of time we call ‘tech time’. Actual tech times and regularity will vary greatly by program location. During designated ‘tech time’, your student may use their phones as they wish. Please note that your student may not always choose to use this time to get a hold of their parents. If you are not hearing directly from your student each day, you can assume that no news is good news! We strongly recommend you follow the blog to follow your students’ experience without talking to them every day. If you are a parent and would like to get in touch with your student directly, you can call us at +1-619-758-3031 and we can set up a formal time for you to connect with your student.
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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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13, 2022
Hello Dear Families!
After a very particular arrival day (luggage behind, delays, cancelations, customs issues, etc.), we have our Costa Rica Animal Rescue program team almost complete (still waiting on our friends Walker and Lucia to join us soon).
Our students who arrived into SJO airport (safely and in one piece), got on a traditional ‘Tico’ bus, went to a very ‘Pura Vida’ hotel to relax, mix and mingle (mask on and pods taken care of – safety comes first, of course!), and had a first touch of the incredible flavors of the traditional local food.
We played some games to break the ice and learn about the richness and diversity of this country and our team. We promptly went to bed because after a long day traveling every warrior needs to rest and reload their energy to continue to ROCK it the next day.
Today we are on our way to Liberia where we will spend the first week of our program with community service (wearing our scrubs helping our pet friends).
This adventure is just beginning and our young leaders will keep you all updated from now on!
Stay tuned!
CR-ARP-2022 STAFF TEAM
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13
Our day started at 5:45 am to get ready for breakfast at 6:30 am. The sun rose before anyone woke up, Costa Rica was giving us a warm welcome on our first full day in the country. Everyone tricked down to the dining area where we were later informed about what was being served for breakfast. Breakfast consisted of eggs, pancakes, Gallo pinto ( a traditional Costa Rican dish), toast, fruit, and juice. After breakfast Fernny, Lundon, and DJ (our group mentors) explained some rules for the day and for the trip as a whole. Then we went over our schedule for the day, cleaned out our rooms, and got on the bus for a four-hour ride to Liberia.
After a good three hours on the bus, we made a stop at a cafe to use the bathroom which turned into an experience of seeing beautiful Macaws, locally known as Lapas. Some students purchased plantain chips, drinks, and local fudge for the rest of the ride. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the cats and dogs on the property. At the home base, we ate a buffet-styled lunch that had a variety of options catering to every student on the trip. After lunch Vida (a volunteer organization) gave an orientation presenting the rules and guidelines we are encouraged and expected to follow on our service trip tomorrow. Following the orientation, Lundon set up a group activity to get to know other students in our group which were enjoyed by many since we got to know facts about everyone. Next, we sat down for a final orientation involving the goal of GLA, the five pillars, and hygiene, all right before tech time. Students then got to contact their parents and spend some time catching up on other things on their devices.
Dinner followed as we started turning in our phones after an hour of allowed usage. Another buffet-style meal with flavorful pasta, beans, rice, and many other forms of sides and protein was self-served by students. Now we are enjoying our free time. Some are working out, some are chatting by the pool, and others are resting and getting ready to be in our rooms by nine and lights out by ten, preparing for another early day tomorrow.
Author: Zoe De Leon (Alumni + Leader of the day)
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 14
We woke up and had a fantastic breakfast. We got our scrubs on and had a wonderful time observing surgeries, even some of us got to have a hands-on experience with the surgeons. After lunch we were supposed to have a pool party but the rain got a tad bit heavy. We spent the afternoon relaxing and playing games. We met our new friends Walker and Lucia! At the end of the day we had an awesome dinner! We wrote letters to our self too.
-by Zoe L.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15
Our morning started bright and early for our group today at 6 AM before a day of service with VIDA. After a delicious breakfast of Gallo pinto, plantains, eggs, and more, we took a quick 15 minute bus ride to the clinic and started service for the day. With about five patients, our work consisted of performing physical exams in our groups with the help of the vets.
Some of our tasks included taking temperatures of the patients, weighing, removing ticks, giving vaccines, and assisting post surgery recovery parentheses (and much more!) after the physical exam, the patients were taking into surgery to be spayed or neutered. During surgery, one group member was selected to assist the doctor with the surgery while the other members monitored vitals, anesthesia, or got gosh or other medical supplies needed throughout the procedure. One of the most challenging aspects of the service was remaining calm under pressure or challenges face during surgery, as some of our group experience today.
After service, we arrived back at home base for lunch and took a short break before our debate activity. We had a debate about mini ongoing issues regarding animal welfare in Costa Rica and were able to explore different view points that differed from our own. We had a taste of some familiar foods during our dinner of chicken tenders and fries, as well as playing games and relaxing by the pool to finish off another great day in Costa Rica!
Pura Vida!
-Ava (leader of the day)
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16
By Bella Lani Reyes
Today was another wonderful day in Costa Rica. We got to sleep in for the first time, eating a delicious breakfast of plantains, eggs, beans, bread, and rice, among other things at 7:30 AM. After breakfast, we got on the bus and took an hour bus ride to Playa Del Coco beach. After unloading and applying sunscreen, it was time to hit the
e floated, bodysurfed, splashed around, and had a ton of fun. some people went over to the tide pools and climbed the rocks to observe all sorts of sear life like hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea slugs, even a s starfish with 4 legs! We ate a delicious watermelon and ripe, yellow mangos as snacks, and then some people tanned or played soccer while others went into the ocean again. We had a wonderful lunch consisting of different plates for everyone; from grilled chicken and stuffed chicken with mushroom sauce to tropical fish and seafood pasta. once finished with lunch we hit the waves one more time, then headed back to the hotel.
We rinsed the sand and salt off, then went and met up for the mentor group. We did a whole group activity, then broke out into our specific mentor groups with DJ and Lundon. We performed an activity to remind ourselves to be mindful and respectful of different cultures and customs. after mentor groups we had dinner: rice chicken nuggets, green beans, pasta, and plantains, then tech time, and went to bed.
Signing off a super awesome day,
Lani (Leader of the day)
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18
Written by Addi and Ella
We banged on everyone’s door at 5:45 and we hopped over to breaky (breakfast). Then, everyone was stuffed to the brim with beans, rice, y eggs (aka “y” means “and” in Spanish. Laugh out loud) then we had a deep interpersonal, retrospective, awakening, heart to heart that changed us forever… as we skedaddled to the bus many things tried to distract us from our mission. Tiki the ginger cat was luring us away from the bus with his cuteness and the rest of the bby kittens. We finally made it to the bus and made our way to the vet clinic to have our final day. It was sadly our last time snatching animals reproductive abilities. However, we didn’t let it hinder our professionalism and made the day our personal best.
Then we came back to base and had lunch and may beautiful thank you cards to our hosts, Señora Sharon and Señor Jose. Then we had mentor groups in the pouring rain and made the most extravagant obstacle course, only to not be able to do them due to rain. We still did our very best with the rain beating down on our sunburns. But as we say no pain no gain. We went to get some fast food to celebrate the last day at this service. Then finally we had a scrumptious meal to lull us to sleep.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19
Written by Sarah and Emily
We departed to our new homebase, Lands in Love. We said adios to The sweet hose from our first hotel, And they made us amazing farewell pancakes. The bus ride was four hours and we got our seats assigned to us and our family bonded and got even closer. We took a pitstop to Walmart and we were all so content and happy. Walker got aloe for her nasty sunburn, and we (Sarah and Emily) bought the entire store. The ride up into the mountains just absolutely surreal. We saw volcanoes (Not active ones) and lots of skinny, cute cows. Once we arrived at lands in love, we ate lunch at their vegan restaurant. The food was prepared SO nicely, and it was muy delicioso.
Next we had a big family talk and it was really amazing for all of us. We all really love each other. Following that we met one of the owners who told us about the background of L.I.L, and the service we are going to be doing. They have around 800 animals, Mostly cats and dogs, But they also have chickens, Horses, goats, ducks, and not to mention all of the wild Animals who come to visit these beautiful 1,000 acres.
After that we hung out by the pool for a bit. They have A hot tub, but it is not a hot tub cause it is even colder than the pool… But that is fine because it is great for sunburns and at this hotel we have hot shower water! For dinner we had vegan burgers. And we got to have a little extra tech time for Father’s Day. Thank you to all the fathers who helped make this experience possible for your student. We got new rooms and they are so cool. The beauty and energy here are indescribable and we are also blessed and eager for our adventure to continue.
¡feliz día de los padres!
Love,
Sarah and Em
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21
Written by Kassian and Walker
Today we helped out at Lands in Love again. Group 1 woke up early to walk the dogs and clean their cages. Group 2 and Group 3 woke up a little bit later to clean the chickens and to go on a hike. Breakfast was vegan eggs with beans and rice. Then the groups split up to work. As group 3 hiked they picked up leaves to keep the trail clean. They saw a dead frog. After service the groups had lunch. They could choose vegan pizza, pad Thai, Chinese rice, Israeli style, or Costa Rican with portages.
The pad Thai had peppers, carrots, and onions in it. It also came with a pineapple sauce and pineapple sliver on top. The limes were optional. The fried rice came in a big bowl on top of a plate. There was a napkin. Under the bowl to see it form slipping. In the afternoon the service we did was walking dogs. Then after that, we had a tech game and proceeded to eat dinner afterward. After dinner, we had an amazing guest speaker to talk more about the history and fun facts of Costa Rica.
