PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM (additional photos added)
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 posts 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 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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BLOG POST FOR JULY 7
The Costa Rican adventure has begun!
On our very first day, as students gradually arrived, we had the opportunity to explore the community of Alajuela, including some quaint plazas, and stocked up on some snacks at a local supermarket and bakery.
Students took the opportunity to ask questions about the upcoming program, each other and our international team and, a few activities to learn more about each other.
We’re looking forward to students exploring their various internship interests with sea turtles, butterflies and wild mammals Beyond this, we’ll immerse ourselves in the enchanting culture of Costa Rica. From exploring ancient architecture to wandering through beachside villages, students will try exotic fruits and discover unique local crafts.
We’re all excited to grow our budding relationships and the adventures of the coming weeks.
From Ben and everyone here on the ground in Costa Rica!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
By Mia Vitale
Today we did introductions and toured the animal rescue centre from toucans to howler monkeys. my favorite were the sloths that will be released back to the wild soon. We learned about each animal’s rescue story and had the opportunity to prep their food.
Anna, our biologist, identified loads of plants and taught us more about the different animals! We looked over the code of conduct and were introduced to the program majors. We quickly went over the research project that we will have to present by the end of the trip. The research project will allow us to explore potential future careers and deep dive into a specific topic of our choice! We ended by breaking off into our mentor groups to debrief the day. Mia took the initiative to volunteer as our first leader of the day. We are excited to be assigned our majors and interact with the animals.
Jack gave us the quote of the day:
“Those who rush only waste time.”
BLOG POST FOR JULY 9
Written by: Jack Lenkowsky
Pura Vida!
Another day in Costa Rica is in the books. Here are some highlights.
Photo 1: A couple students were given the opportunity to enter the Blue Macaw enclosure. We provided them with enrichment by dancing with them to “Firework” by Katy Perry!
Photo 2: This was one of many free roaming sloth sightings, apparently they can move quite fast when it means escaping the rain!
Photo 3: Check this duo out! These are two of many capuchin monkeys, and they are a sight to see. These beautiful creatures stand out from the other animals in the center for their seemingly infinite energy, and their unpredictable antics.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 10
Today the volunteers continued their work in the Costa Rican animal rescue. From feedings, to cleanings, to tasks around the rescue, the students worked tirelessly to give the animals the attention and care they deserve. The amazing life stories of Fay, one of the volunteer coordinators, and Kaitlin, one of the vet interns on site, were shared, and students were given the opportunity to ask them questions about them and how they ended up where they are. Also, as it was the last day at the rescue, the students organized a mural to leave behind the GLA 2024 trip legacy. Finally, the day was ended with a fun night out at a local restaurant where the volunteers learned to salsa with the help of Lauren, the lovely local director for this trip. Overall, this day presented amazing opportunities for the volunteers to learn and give back while balancing it out with a bit of well earned fun! Here is to hoping there are more amazing days like this one as the journey leads us closer to the OSA peninsula.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 11
Today was one of our first adventurous days. Starting with a morning drive to Manuel Antonio National Park but with a stop on the crocodile bridge to spot any in the bright morning. Starting the trail walk at the national park with a spotting of a Toucans. Catching a very beautiful waterfall. On the way back we got to see a Sloth with green patches showing the moss and algae growing on it.
After the amazing park we got to explore finding different insects, wild animals and fungi we got to enjoy the Manuel Antonio beach. Enjoying the fresh coconut right from the trees surrounding us. And stopping by to the local grocery store grabbing some new snacks to try. Spending time together in the clear cooling water, laughing together every minute.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 12
Author: Nathan Fox, student
Today we visited Grijalba II and Batamabal archaeological sites. After a lovely breakfast prepared by the staff, we walked through pre-Colombian settlements of the Diquís people. After lunch we went to the Finca 6 Museum and learned about the significance of the man made stone spheres, Costa Rica’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. They were used for religious purposes and to denote rank. On the way to the Osa Peninsula we visited an old train that used to transport bananas.
After our lengthy bus ride, we finally arrived at our final home base, the Osa Discovery Lodge. After a quick tour, we sat down for our first dinner in our new dining room. After eating, our guest speaker, Spencer, arrives to inform us on how conservation issues are directly correlated to socioeconomic issues. This was followed by a late Chow Circle where we gave our shoutouts to others in the program and picked the next leader of the day. On our way to bed, we are finally given our long awaited majors that we will be studying for the rest of our trip, and we then settle into our new bunk beds and end our day.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 13
Pura Vida, Today we woke up at the OSA discovery lab and found out our majors. Mammals, Turtles and Butterflies. People doing mammals did two hikes to see and take photos of animals and plants to be later identified. The people doing turtles woke up early and went to the beach to plant mangrove seeds in pots and plant half grown mangrove trees. Then the butterfly crew went in the garden and researched different types of butterflies and hanged baby butterflies. Then we played mafia with a water gun. Lastly, we did mentor groups where we talked about ethics of nature at the end of the day.
Written by Aidan Burman
BLOG POST FOR JULY 14
Author: Mateo Perales
The day started with an optional hike.
At 8 everybody had finished with breakfast and was ready to continue the day.
The mammals research group had a hike that started at 9:00 and ended at 1:30. We were able to see much more things such as: butterflies, fossils, caterpillars, insects. And the hike was very nice and had certain parts were you needed to get wet because of a river we needed to cross.
Before leaving the place we needed to take SD cards from the cameras but one got stolen.
After that we had lunch and rest time. Afterwards we took some time to research the animals and plants that we had taken pictures of.
Turtle research project:
We walked a very long way around the mangroves to find seed and we picked up 112 mangrove seeds and we also picked up 2 tea seeds. And we were lucky to see turtles in the water and some dolphins in the distance.
Butterflies research project:
We spent time researching which butterflies are able to be kept in the garden.
This included finding which host plants each species use to lay their eggs and for feeding the caterpillars , it also included finding which butterflies share similar host plants to save space and so each species could live together. An idea for an edible garden also made us find many edible plants such as peppers, lemons, passion fruit, and lemongrass.
As a reward for finalizing the set of butterfly species for the proposed garden, we went to a local chocolate maker to get cocoa with coconut, oranges, ginger, and more.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
Author: Wyatt Messer
Pura vida!
Today was the second day of major projects including the sea turtle, mammals, and butterfly group each having specific tasks for the day along with unique adventures for each.
Butterfly group started the day with a hike to a river to collect butterflies along the way and at the river. They caught a variety of butterflies and added them to the butterfly garden to add to the collection. Later, the group returned to home base and met with the caretaker of the butterflies, Diego, to move larvae to new leaves.
The turtle group found and caught a 110 pound turtle and identified it with the tag it had. They took a break from a long day with a quick swim in the ocean.
Today the mammal groups continued to observe wildlife in the Osa peninsula by hiking up a mountain in the area, there they saw scarlet macaws. They then returned home to identify which animals they observed while hiking.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
Author: Tess Philbin
Hello and pura vida! Today we woke up and split into our major groups.
Turtles got an early start and walked the beach looking for mangroves before potting mangroves. We took a lunch break and then hiked out to monitor and measure previously planted mangroves. On the way we saw tons of scarlet macaws, vultures, pelicans, turtles, and even a rare roseate spoonbill.
Butterfly’s also got an early start today beginning with planting host plants for their numerous species of butterflies. They later collected the butterfly eggs for population growth and monitoring.
Mammals had a super interesting day and started off by going to the beach. It was high tide so the students took a boat across to take their hike. They found a spider monkey skeleton, a sloth, and lots of other flora and fauna. After their hike they all stay down to identify their findings.
In the evening we all were surprised with a trip to a local restaurant for dinner. We all got dressed up nice and and headed out for a fun adventure to end our day.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 17
Author: Kendra Robertson
Hi everyone!
Today was our first minor day which gave us the opportunity to explore and learn from the other majors. Six people from the mammal major went to work with LAST to track sea turtles and the rest went to the mammal group.
The new turtle group had a great day setting out nets and learning about different turtle species in the area but none were caught today. Even though none were brought in, we made the most of it, hearing the other volunteers stories and learning about LAST as well as relaxing on the beach and in the water.
The new mammals group went on a hike with our guide Orlando and had a very eventful day. They spotted a tayra, several squirrel monkeys, and even a wild horse. They ended their day identifying all of the plants and animals they saw that day.
And after dinner, as a group, we worked on our internship curriculum looking at the lesson “Keep it Glocal” We did some research and gave a short presentation on the sustainable development goals and how they change country to country. We also celebrated Nate’s birthday with some confetti pancakes, music, and laughter.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 18
Today we split off into our major groups in the early morning! We got some breakfast and then quickly headed out, either to hike with mammals or to plant mangroves next to a gulf filled with turtles. During the day with the mammal team, the group ventured deep into the forest, crossing muddy mountains and cold water rivers. They saw monkeys and different species of birds. While doing the identification later in the day, we found ocelots, anteaters, a skunk and much more. The turtle group planted mangroves right by the beach, and measured the ones that had already grown to see their progress. They then recycled bottle lids, helping keep the environment clean and healthy. Both groups were successful with their service, coming back to a warm dinner in the home base!
Written by Malaika Khanna
BLOG POST FOR JULY 19
Written by Tess Philbin and Mia Vitale.
Turtles started off the morning by hiking out into the mangroves to measure and monitor their growth. Once we got back we started building a second mangrove nursery. We had a lunch break in which we took a moment to swim and cool off and headed out to a recycling center. There we sorted various recyclables and learned about the process as a whole.
Mammals went on a hike with Orlando, the ranger on the preserved rainforest land, through the jungle to identify plants and animals we saw. When we got back to homebase we updated the data inventory and looked through all of the footage from the camera we set up last week.
Then, butterfly crew went into the butterfly lab and learned how to make jewelry and preservation techniques with butterfly wings. I was able to make two necklaces! Then we circled with the entire group for announcements and to discuss our day.
In the evening a group of students participated in a cooking class. Helena taught us how to cook a variety of things such as quesadillas, hot dogs, fruit and more.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 20
Written by: Priscilla Saldivar-Mora
We woke up really early around 5:30 to prepare for our long day. We hiked the rocky trails for a few hours at Matapalo. The outcome can be interpreted in different ways. Although it was a very nice natural atmosphere the small trickling waterfall was a disappointment for those expecting a large spectacle because it was unfortunately drier at this time. However, it was a very exciting journey that still rewarded us with an opportunity to see different breeds of monkeys as we walked on the trail and enjoyed beautiful natural scenery. Later on in the afternoon we headed to Playa Preciosa and enjoyed a variety of fresh scrumptious fruit while others enjoyed their time swimming in the blue water under the rainbow.
We had the chance to buy souvenirs from local artisans, from traditional masks to butterfly jewelry to local craftsman, and ended the night with reflection in our mentor groups.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 21
Written by: Lilianne Hung
Today we went to a coffee shop in the town so we can enjoy the studious environment. While savouring the comfortable atmosphere at the cafe, we enjoyed delectable coffee, ice cream, smoothies, and we spent several hours deeply engrossed in research for our final project on our dream careers, taking advantage of the peaceful setting to focus. Then we went to a local souvenir shop that held many beautiful artisan items and gifts.
In the evening, we learned how to make handmade Venezuelan arepas for dinner with fresh produce. The process was fun and educational and the end result was delicious. We enjoyed our homemade meal together.
Finally, we ended the day with a dancing lesson where we learned bachata, salsa, and some choreography. The instructor was energetic and patient, making the experience enjoyable and engaging.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 22
Written by: Kayla Mead
On July 22, we woke up bright and early for our second, and last, minors day. After breakfast, we left to work in either wildlife monitoring or sea turtle tracking.
Our wildlife monitoring group trekked the usual path through the rainforest where they took down their camera traps. Sadly, they found that the camera had been set up incorrectly and they were not able to gather any new footage to research.
Our turtle crew had an eventful minor day, where they managed to capture a turtle from their nets. They identified the turtle as a Hawksbill and collected their needed measurements and information before releasing it back into the ocean. They added tags so the turtle’s health and behavior can be monitored.
In the afternoon, half of us went to the beach, while the other half worked on pinning butterflies for research and collecting butterfly eggs for repopulation. We spent our extra free time at the lodge working hard on our final projects and ended the night with a guitar and singing session.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 23
Written by: Kennedy Holland
Today we woke up for a later breakfast and headed out to a beachside restaurant to work on our research projects. While there, we went kayaking. After a few hours of working and kayaking, we came back to home base for a delicious lunch. We then had a few hours of free time to continue working on our research projects before doing a fun get-to-know-you activity as a group. Afterward, our biologist, Anna, led a plant workshop where she showed us various exotic plants that she found in the jungle of Osa Peninsula. She showed us one plant in particular that released a blue dye when boiled, and we painted with it. After our activities, we ate a quick dinner and headed back to the beachside restaurant for our second dance class where we learned the salsa, bachata, and the merengue. Today the group got to learn a bit more about each other through our activity, and strengthened the friendships we’ve made over the past three weeks.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 24
Written by: Luisa Kazanjian
Today we went flying through the jungle on zip lines. Between the zip lines we saw spider and squirrel monkeys! Afterwards we went to a traditional tico farm where we made tortillas with masa, and harvested coffee and cacao beans. We learned about traditional farming from a local Costa Rican, ground cacao beans down and made our own hot chocolate, and saw 3 toucans.
We met with a professor named Ed from Portland State University who is establishing an eco research station up in the mountain by the farm. We skipped stones along a small stream and ended the night by inviting Orlando, our mammal guide, over for dinner. We celebrated all 3 birthdays, Ellie, Priscilla, and Tess together with tres leches cakes and flan.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 25
Written by: Max Ordonez
Today was the 2nd to last day of this amazing adventure! We got to wake up later than usual, and we made pancakes for Tess’s birthday 🥳
We then all dressed up and got ready for the final project presentations on our dream projects in our future careers. Every presentation was amazing and interesting to listen to, and everyone had creative and inspiring ideas. The projects ranged from sustainable architecture for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, to starting a Biosphere in the Yukon. Others included an ethical primate rehabilitation center, zoonotic disease development, and recycled plastic clothing lines. Students’ career aspirations ranged from veterinarians, field researchers, Chief Sustainability Office, ecologists, environmental law, and more.
Later on we finished with all the presentations after a delicious dinner, and we went on our last night hike in Costa Rica! We then played an emotional goodbye game to appreciate one another, and after that we listened to two more beautiful songs played by Ben on the guitar.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 26 & 27
Written by: Mia Vitale
Our departure day arrived faster than we’d like!
We packed our bags and left the Osa Peninsula, our home base and research focus. We each received our Airplane Letters, notes written to us by other students to read on the airplane home to remember and reflect on the memories we made together, and maybe shed a few tears over.
After a dramatic goodbye, I realized how amazing this trip was. I was able to ID all the animals we saw, work on tagging turtles for research, and learn about Costa Rica in general. I was able to make friends with people who have similar interests and do so many fun activities thanks to the staff. One of the most impactful things we had to do was make a presentation for our “dream careers”. We had to deep dive into the jobs we chose, figure out what steps we need to take to achieve that goal, and do a case study. Overall, this trip was an amazing experience with amazing people, all in one of the most biodiverse parts of the world.
Here are some of our favorite photos from across these incredible 3 weeks together!
Pura Vida!!
