I was pretty nervous about staying in the homestays. In the beginning it was pretty awkward but now (a few days later) I actually like it. I think that in the long run, us helping out the school will be the coolest thing ever.
​This trip has taught me many things such as embracing my natural hair, how to take cold showers, leadership skills, and overall how to appreciate nature and be a thankful person. I hope that I can come next time! I believe that the teachers that have chaperoned these days have seen a different side of me than they can remember as the years go by.
Thank you mom, dad and the rest of my family for letting me stay here. 
From,
Gabby

​

At 5am all you hear is bocok, oink, roosters calling and huge pigs oinking and squealing. Just what a teenager wants during Spring Break. Getting up early, waking up to bug bites, animal noises, and a fresh smell of caca. Literally my dream of a never to be forgotten Spring Break. I'm not complaining I am just describing what I hear, see and smell. What I always taste is rice and beans. No matter if it is breakfast, lunch or dinner. I am very happy to have these everyday because no matter how many times I have them I will always enjoy them but I feel bad for Lacey because you know what they say - beans make your tummy upset. I have to give some congratulations to Lacey, she has dealt with me every day and night of this trip. I don't know how she hasn't got fed up with me or maybe she has and is just too nice to tell me. This might be funny hearing it from a 16 year old kid but parents you did a swell job rearing Lacey and I am very grateful to be her roommate. I am excited about what the future holds for her.
This is just the 4th day and already my mind and my thoughts are completely changed. I am definitely going to start eating pork less often and appreciate what I have. Don't take things for granted. We gave our host family their presents and they were so happy they even cried and what we got them was something I would never imagine me thinking highly of. A sponge, a watch, shirts, kitchen stuff, bath stuff, and lotions but to them this was a blessing.
​I have learned many important lessons in life, if you think you have it bad there's always someone out there that is worse and you have to be grateful with what you have and not what you don't have.
Honestly, from the bottom of my heart. Muchos gracias mama and papa pot este viaje inovidable.
Pura Vida,
Sofia

Hola los madres y padras!!!
We are half way through our trip and I am excited to say all is going very well. Everyone is healthy and although we have faced some different and new things the group is loving life. Thank you all for giving your son or daughter this gift of travel. Watching each of them serving and growing themselves through that service has been incredible. 
Big hugs,
Mrs. Hagee

Before I came to Costa Rica, I already realized that language will be the biggest problem I ever had. In fact, I still can't have a full conversation with my host family. But today, I didn't notice the gap while we played with other kids in Chilamate school. I felt so comfortable when I joined the football match. Actually I believed I wouldn't be that brave to hang out with strangers, especially with people who come from another country. Those kids smiled so hard when I said I can't play football very well and I can't speak Spanish, and of course I said this by hand language. After a while I just want to know two words in Spanish. "Aki" (here) and "Ay" (there), they are the only two words I learned all the time during the game. I felt so peaceful in my heart by those kids. I really enjoyed the game. To sum up, we can play, teach, or learn with other people without language. I was afraid before I came to Costa Rica, but now it gives me a new view to watch our world. 
Shoutouts - 
Firstly, I need to thank Ms. Begley and Ms. Hagee, we would not have a nice trip without you. Then I need to appreciate my host family and their dog because they both brought joy to me. More than that, I want to thank all the students who travel around me, you guys always help me in the back. And I really appreciate my family and my host family, they encouraged me to go to Costa Rica, without you guys, I don't think I would join this wonderful trip. 
From,
​Phoenix

Coming to Costa Rica wasn't my first choice, in fact I remember saying to my parents that there is no way I would go. But here I am today, in the hot and humid Costa Rica. So far on this trip I have done many things I thought I'd never do such as milking a cow, feeding a pig, and jumping in to a filthy river that may or may not have had animals in it.
The place has opened my eyes and made me realize how fortunate I am to live in a first world country. The people and the community are all so happy and grateful for what they have. The people are very friendly too, for example random people would wave and smile and me and make me feel welcome to the community. 
Something else I want to point out is how my host family is grateful for thte little that they have. There's no video games or cable and the two daughters share a phone (an android). Instead of using electronics, they actually talk to each other to entertain one another and I thought that was very cool. 
So far, this trip has showed me how grateful I am for all I have.
To my mom, dad, and Tyler, I want to thank all of you for allowing me to go on this trip because it has really opened my eyes. I miss you guys like crazy, and I can't wait to see you when I get home (oh and we are eating some type of Asian food when I get back because I miss it A LOT).
From,
Kyle

Every day in Costa Rica is like retracing every step I made the last time I was here. Near the end of the third day of the trip, after I settled in to my homestay, my homestay mom came up to me as I was playing with her son and my roommate. She said something to me in Spanish, Gabby turned to me and said "she asked if you wanted to see your former homestay family." I was too over eager to say no and jumped at the chance. I was surprised when my homestay family recognized me. I just felt so comfortable as I sat around them knowing that everything will be alright. 
I really miss you mom, dad and Chance. I hope you guys miss me too.
From,
​Mahli

Costa Rica is AWESOME,
There's so much life, culture, and diversity. So far we've milked cows, eaten cheese and strawberries, and explored the rain forest. Oh, and we've also spent a night in our homestays which was super cool. They're extremely kind, accommodating and they pick up on everything. They even do our laundry!
Thank you mum and dad for giving me the opportunity to come on this amazing trip. Thank you dad for teaching me so much Spanish, it's really come in handy. And mum, I love you more. 
From,
​Tom