High School Study Abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that is so specific and unique and opens your eyes to new experiences and what life really can be like. It taught me so many things about the world, about a different place, and about myself. It is something everybody should experience once in their lifetime because it is truly eye opening and wonderful. It’s also a blast and I had a great time.

My experience in Costa Rica can't really be accurately described in words. The trip was amazing, breathtaking, challenging, fun, emotional, unique, etc. The words I can use to describe my trip can go on forever, but how much they can really capture of the trip is limited. The leaders were absolutely wonderful, as were my group members and my experience overall. Each leader brought something different to the table that was critical to our trip. Flora was organized and always super positive, Chalo was understanding, caring, and knowledgeable, and Nohelia was hilarious, loving and all-knowing. Our group had a special and unique dynamic that was something I had never experienced before. We were all very close with each other fairly early on; a TSA officer even asked if a few of us were siblings when we were returning from the trip at the Houston airport! The parts of the trip that weren't super fun (like sitting on a plane for two hours that was grounded due to weather or a seven hour layover at the Houston airport) all pale in comparison to the countless moments that I will always remember. Seeing a sloth white water rafting, hiking through the cloud forests, swimming in hot springs, playing cards with my host family and little sisters, and surfing on Playa Uvita. These moments are just a few in an ocean of memories that I hold onto. I miss the community of Cedral and how kind everyone was. I miss trying to communicate with locals through my limited Spanish and lots of hand gestures. I miss the "Pura Vida" lifestyle of Costa Rica's citizens. Global Works provided me with an authentic experience of Costa Rica where I could immerse myself in both culture and language. The service work was challenging, but rewarding; I learned how to make concrete and pour foundation for a cabin we built with the locals of Cedral. I am truly lucky to have been able to go on such a unique trip, and I cannot recommend an experience like this enough. Thank you Global Works Travel!

Traveling to Costa Rica with Global Works was a truly amazing experience. It's honestly difficult to put into words. It changed me mentally and emotionally, and it is an experience I will never forget. Even now I look back on memories, photos, souvenirs, notes and drawings that I have kept from the trip, and can't fully take in how much the trip meant to me. I built strong bonds with the people on the trip, tried new foods, took risks, and emerged myself into a beautiful culture. Plus, the Costa Rica environment was gorgeous. I felt like I was able to experience so much in just the one week I was there. Living at home in a place almost the polar opposite of Costa Rica, seeing wildlife like toucans, monkeys, snakes, giant spiders, and the turtles especially was breathtaking. During the trip, we also helped at ASTOP, a sea turtle conservation program. The work we did there was both gratifying and eye opening. After coming back from the trip, I was more open minded. My mindset on life was changed. I feel so lucky that I got to experience Costa Rica with Global Works. Their program is extremely well planned and it helped me learn about so many different things.