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
Click here to jump down to the most recent post!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26
Written by: Michaela, International Director
We had a long day of delays and waiting for flights at the airport but everyone finally made it to our beautiful home in Paraiso. Everyone enjoyed the first Costa Rican meal called Casado, made up of rice, beans, chicken and plantains. It is nicknamed casado because if a man brought this meal to lunch at his work, his coworkers would know that he was married (casado) because of how good the food is.
Everyone is settled into their rooms now and ready for a good night’s sleep before our first day of adventures begins tomorrow. I can’t wait to update you all more on all the fun things we will do as we move through the next two weeks with your kids. You will be hearing from us soon!
Pura Vida!
-Michaela
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27
Written by Isabel, GLA Mentor
Pura Vida, welcome to Costa Rica! We began our first full day together with a delicious home cooked traditional Costa Rican breakfast of Gallo Pinto (rice and beans), eggs, cheese, and fruit. After we dove into our introduction where we learned about our two service projects and excursions. In the upcoming few days, we will be providing free vision screenings and glasses to kids, helping elderly adults with physical therapy, touring the city of Cartago, playing soccer with locals, and even ziplining through the Costa Rican rainforest!
After a lunch of rollatini and various sides, we traveled to a physical therapy clinic where we learned about the Costa Rican healthcare system! We even tried out the electrode therapy equipment and practiced various strengthening exercises commonly used to help the elderly. We then drove to a dance class where we learned and practiced at least five different Latin inspired dances in an hour!
We finished the day by investigating the role of phones and social media in our lives. And learned many new card games along the way! Our spirits are high, and our group is beyond excited to begin our first day of service tomorrow.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
Written By: Katelynn Reading and Salma Hassan
Day 3!
Today we had our first day of service at the nursing home. We started by getting to know the residents with ice breaker games like hot potato. We also played musical chairs. We got things fired up after with a dance party. After saying our goodbyes to the residents, we headed back to homebase for lunch. After lunch we left for an intense soccer match with the locals. There were game changing goals from Katie and Emilia. Following our hard work on the soccer fields, we went to the store to get some delicious snacks. We drove back to homebase for an amazing dinner and some free time. We finished with mentor groups reflecting on the amazing and adventurous day. We all can’t wait for the fun days ahead!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
Written by Regan and Emilia
Buenos Dias! This morning we awoke to French toast and un delicioso breakfast. We then headed over to Caballo Blanco where we did our first vision tests on the community with kids ages 6-16 and even some adults. So far, we have given around 50 glasses to people! We then played a soccer match with the children from the soccer academy, and it was muy divertida (fun). We then headed back to home base and were met with a scrumptious chicken tortilla lasagna combination that we devoured. We then got to have some chill time where we played cards and made friendship bracelets.
Next up, we got a visit from a lawyer named Eduardo who specializes in the mistreatment of senior citizens. We did a roleplay scenario where our hands were tied up, some of us were blindfolded, and some of us had our hands duct taped. BUT this was all for educational purposes and taught us about the difficulties and frustration many elderly citizens face when doing simple tasks.
After this, we had the pleasure of squishing bread with our bare hands! Francesco, our cooking instructor, guiding us in the art of making bread pudding which we will taste tomorrow morning for breakfast! Despues (after), we got to learn about cross cultural communication and shared our personal experiences and reflections.
Dinner was delightful as we enjoyed some rice, beans, salad, and fresh fruit. To end off the night, we as a group played telestrations where we all shared a joyous laugh. We are so excited for tomorrow and cannot wait to keep you all updated!
Buenas Noches!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
Written by Lela and Jadin
Pura Vida!! We started day 5 by having the delicious bread pudding that we made last night for breakfast. After that, we headed to our first activity which was ziplining. Before we got to experience the amazing views and thrilling rides, we were challenged with a tough hike of about 600 stairs. Once we all finally made it to the top, some of us faced our fears and took on the ziplines and vertical drops. After about two hours of our crazy adventure, we headed back to home base for a quick home cooked lunch before heading back out for some sightseeing.
We visited the lookout points (Ujarras and Orosi valleys) and learnt about local legends, as well as seeing an award-winning tree. The boys got to show off their gains at the park by doing pullups on the monkey bars. We then crossed the river on the hanging bridge over to the other side of town where our local director surprised us with a yummy ice cream treat!
After a long day of lots of laughing and walking around, we came back home for some relaxing time until it was time to eat dinner. To end the night, we got to know each other better by playing a game where we asked WEIRD anonymous questions. Some spelling mistakes may have been made…. Wink wink!!
Time to go to bed and prepare for the next adventure,
Goodnight!!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1/h5>
Written by Madeleine and Kiara
We woke up to a healthy breakfast of sandwiches and fresh fruit, where we fueled ourselves for the long day ahead of us. Almost immediately, we departed on time to our service project for the day. We kicked off the morning by arranging a bingo session for the elderly at Hogar Manos de Jesus. After several intense games, residents were encouraged to join our GLA team on the makeshift soccer field outside. Students were divided into two teams based on the color of their scrubs, and an intense rivalry brewed. The game finally concluded with the blue team winning by a single point. We then said our goodbyes to the residents and to the friendships we made, however, we didn’t say farewell to the lessons we learned. A bittersweet parting, we returned at last to the home base to a welcoming lunch.
After a satisfying meal and a period of short relaxation time, we hopped on the bus to explore the streets of Cartago. Juan Carlos, our fabulous local director, led us on a cultural tour of his hometown. We were first brought to the Basilica de Los Angeles, where we learned about the religious legends of the city, and even got to touch the sacred holy water. Continuing our tour, we played a bonding game with the group, and shortly arrived at the Cartago Central Market. We were overwhelmed by the bustling atmosphere of vendors, merchants, and customers. The group split off with a desire to buy string versus the temptation of an international McFlurry. At last, we all met at the McDonald’s, where we observed the differences of the Costa Rican menu compared to the American menu. We leapt into the bus, eager to reveal our promised surprise.
We arrived at our destination, and there it was awaiting us, ice cream on a stick!! After we devoured our sweet treat, we departed for our clinic visit. We learned about the Costa Rican healthcare system and were given a tour of the public clinic’s facilities. Students were fiercely engaged and asked informed questions, and as we left, we took a break on the local playground. Finally, we walked back to the home base and devoured a hearty meal of steak, rice, and fresh fruit, as always. We then split up into groups to finish off the day with an activity about the importance of leadership values, where we shared our opinions, which ultimately unified the group. Day six was one for the books, we’re so excited for tomorrow!!!!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2/h5>
Written by: Samara and India
Pura Vida! Today we started with a late breakfast of local buttery toast, scrambled eggs, and local fresh fruit. Then we headed to the Sanatorium – a haunted, abandoned tuberculosis hospital. The Sanatorium was located on the top of a hill, above the city of Cartago, which was a beautiful sight to behold. The chilly weather and foggy views of the Sanatorium contributed to the ominous atmosphere of the deserted hospital and orphanage. After walking through the hospital halls, patient rooms, and the large surrounding grounds of the Sanatorium we felt as though we could feel the haunted spirits of the dead. After we got over the chills of the spirits, we finally got back on the bus to head back to home base. However, before we got back to home base, we stopped at…. WALMART!! We were all able to grab some delicious snacks and essentials! We learned some key words like “Solo tarjeta” (only card). We came back to a hearty lunch of chicken Florentine with fresh fruits and vegetables and were able to enjoy some free time before heading over to service.
Service today was administering eye tests to some of the local children at a soccer academy. We were able to get through 110 kids today, 35 of which we provided free glasses to! After wrapping up the vision tests, we played a game of soccer with the very kids we had previously helped. Once the very intense soccer match had ended (our team won yippee!), we headed back to home base where we spent our free time playing and learning cards. Finally, after our delicious dinner, we wrapped up our day by creating posters advocating for dental hygiene to begin the dental campaign part of this trip! Hasta manana!!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
Written by: Tyler and Kiara
Waking up to the chirping of fluorescent birds was something, but the breakfast was a taste of home. We had buttery sweet pancakes, loaded with rich syrup. The sun started to peak, striking through the rainforest branches. We settled into the bus for a very rocky ride towards the hike, Montesky. The hike was rough and preposterous, but once we started hitting the river, the slips started to occur. Randomly, peers slipped left and right, everyone’s shoes and socks soaking wet. We reached the peak, and a giant waterfall arose in front of the group. Most felt the mist, but some took the chance to take a seat in the rock bed by the base of the behemoth. Once we hiked down to the bus, we took a step back into the warmth of the home, and changed, preparing for vision tests. The lunch was soup, Chicken and Avocado for most.
Once we were warmed up from the soup after being soaked in frigid water, we boarded the bus once again to depart towards the turf soccer fields where we would be conducting the tests. The rain came down, but we made it swiftly under the shade of the building. The tests went by smoothly, and we ended up giving out a grand number of toothbrushes and eyewear. The dinner that night was rewarding. Crispy chicken from the South… After a quick check in, we did mentor groups with our squads, and had fun delving deeper into the lives of one another. That was one fun and exhilarating day, and more to look forward to tomorrow.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Written By: Anika and Elena
We woke up this morning and stumbled groggily downstairs only to be immediately woken up by the fresh, inviting smell of the warm cheese tortillas and sweet papayas. After everyone finished breakfast, we eagerly headed upstairs to pack for the long and fulfilling day ahead of us. Once we entered the National Museum of Costa Rica, we were immediately welcomed by the humid but fresh air, which was an indicator that we would be met by a surprise—a beautiful surprise. What looked like a normal set of doors was really hiding a butterfly paradise. We explored the butterfly garden in awe, taking notice of the extensive foliage of butterflies frolicking about. After leaving this heaven, we explored the next part of the museum, which contained the relics that were of great importance to the native Costa Ricans. We also found an assortment of stone carvings dating all the way back as 880 A.D! The next exhibits were a display of the difference between the before and after of the industrialization period in Costa Rica. We learned that in the second half of the twentieth century, the exportation of bananas and coffee was extremely important in holding up the country’s economy. From the butterfly gardens to the historical exhibits, there was a clear difference between everything throughout the museum, truly showcasing the different aspects of Costa Rican Culture.
We didn’t just stop at the museum to gain exposure to the beautiful country of Costa Rica. We took a short walk from the museum to the markets in San Jose, excited to buy souvenirs for family and friends. Many of us took this opportunity to bargain with the shopkeepers, cutting down the prices as much as we could so we wouldn’t go broke. After shopping, we took the bus back to the house to eat lunch and rest before our service work in the afternoon. We conducted vision tests for the Costa Rican locals, which was followed by an exhilarating soccer match amongst ourselves. By this point, the rain was beginning to pour, and we hurried back to the house to celebrate America’s Independence with hot dogs and burgers.
Happy 4th of July!
– Anika and Elena 🙂
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Written By: Jack and Mitch
The group woke up early today. We had a yummy breakfast of eggs, rice, and more Beans. I have fallen in love with Beans. I like to think we all have. By 7:45, our group was ready to head out for a thrilling volcano adventure. The hike was invigorating, offering us breathtaking views. We immersed ourselves in nature, and reconnected with ourselves, our roots.
After the hike, we took a leisurely walk around Paraiso, where we stocked up on supplies for our anticipated long car ride to Uvita. Some awesome people bought a piñata for Anita, the beloved homeowner, as it is her birthday today! Feliz Cumpleaños! Also, lunch was good. Fresh fish.
Then we participated in a heated debate over the advantages and disadvantages of public and private healthcare here in Costa Rica. Overall, with many points discussed, we concluded that public suited the Costa Rican population better. Afterwards, we took a cooking class! We made empanadas. The hands-on experience was very fun and educational towards the Costa Rican culture, allowing us to bond over the shared joy of Beans.
As the day drew to a close, we gathered for a delicious dinner, reminiscing over the day’s highlights and Beans. We are looking forward to more adventures ahead. 😊
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Written by: Aniyah and Abby
Breakfast was eggs with ham, guacamole, bread, and then, of course, the fruit we have with every meal. Everyone rushed to finish their unfinished packing or pack because they hadn’t packed last night. We got in the van for the 4-hour ride. Tyler was on aux the whole time, pretty much-playing rap. In the middle of the ride, we stopped at a gas station reminiscent of a Costa Rican Bucee’s; most people didn’t get anything. Then, we stopped at a restaurant three minutes away from the hotel, where we were served rice, beans, chicken, plantains, and salad.
After, we finally made it to the hotel, which looked like a motel. Luckily, our room didn’t have any bunk beds. Like others, since we all wanted to be on the bottom bunk. We dropped our stuff in our rooms and then changed to do the swim test. It was quick. Everyone had to do five laps, floating and treading water. We got in the van, still damp from the test with our towels, heading to the waterfall. The waterfall was full of rainwater, making it unsafe for us to go in, so we went to the beach instead. The boys played soccer, and half of the girls stayed in the water, some looking for beach critters, managing to snag a hermit crab. We returned, drenched in water, using plastic to cover where we sat in the van and then returned to the hotel.
We started swimming again, at the swimming pool here. Then we took hot showers while staying at the hotel. Lastly, we ate pasta for dinner at the same restaurant and then headed back to get ice cream at the place we were staying. Talk to you later. Now it’s time to rest for the big day we have tomorrow.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 7
Written by Matthew, Oscar, and Isaac
We started the day early with a delicious breakfast of eggs, tortillas, and gallo pinto (rice and beans). We were at the beach by 7:30 for surfing lessons. After a lesson on how to surf safely, we got in the water and gave it a try. Even though some of us could barely stand up on the board and the sun was beating down, we all had a blast.
After surfing, we visited the Uvita Waterfall, where we went swimming and took in the amazing views. The cold water was so refreshing and we had lots of fun swimming under the falls. We stopped at a local restaurant for an amazing lunch of burritos before heading back to the beach for some soccer and swimming.
After a few hours of fun at the beach, we stopped at a local store to buy souvenirs for our friends and family. Some of us bought cool bracelets and hats.
After some relaxing at the hotel, we went to a mountaintop lookout point called Mirador de Don Roger, where we drank smoothies and watched the sunset over the ocean. We finished off the day with a pizza dinner, some shopping for tomorrow’s bus ride, and a late night swim in the pool at the hotel.
The beach trip has been a blast and we will miss our time here in Uvita. Pura vida.
