The Experiment: Costa Rica: Biodiversity, Climate, Environ

We learned about the culture and history of the country, but a month later and I don't remember anything. About the "Biodiversity, Ecology, and Sustainability" aspect, I am still confused how that played a part in the trip. Sure, we spent three days at Campanario, hiking and learning, but it was not incorporated throughout the trip. I had a good time though. There was ziplining and snorkeling.

Simply traveling to Costa Rica meant that I was going to be having a great time. The Experiment, however, didn't settle for great. The program was carefully planned as month long journey of learning, both by exploring the world, and by exploring yourself. The group didn't just go and see the sights of Costa Rica, we got immersed in the culture of the country and were offered real insight onto why things function the way that they do. We saw the ripples that globalization causes in big cities and in rural pueblos. We were questioned by group leaders in a way that made us analyze similarities, differences, and important distinctions between everywhere we went. We had to think about how our values corresponded or clashed with the values we witnessed in the host country. I came onto the program expecting to learn an immense amount about Costa Rica and about the Spanish language, and left the program happy I had gained so much more. For two weeks on program, there was a homestay portion with a Costa Rican family. While the concept of living with another family feels intimidating initially, I found the homestay to be the most rewarding part of the journey. My family taught me so much more than anything I could have learned without genuine immersion. They brought me happiness and struggles and understanding and I'm glad that I chose to be a part of the Experiment's 2018 Costa Rica trip. I wouldn't have been able to meet them without it. This review is my way of thanking the Experiment for not settling for great. The group was incredible. The leaders were incredible. The nature was incredible. Most of all, my host family was incredible.

My trip to Costa Rica was amazing and unexpected. We hiked in the rain forest, saw sea turtles lay eggs, and built a sidewalk as our community service project. The animals and plants were beautiful, sometimes scary, and always nothing I have ever seen before. We still keep in contact and each know we have two homes and families in this world. Staying with my host family was wonderful and magical, and full of love. Being in a group on the trip gave the best friends that I have ever had. I'm sure we're all still accidently speaking Spanglish. The Experiment trip has been one of, if not the best times of my life.