Final Reflection

We've officially been back in the states for about three weeks now. Looking back at when we were in Costa Rica, there's a lot that has changed about me. The whole trip overall was amazing, it's something I'd definitely do again without a second thought. Even though we did a LOT of work (we worked really hard almost every day we were there, the worst part of the trip were the ants in the rainforest), I really enjoyed going on the trip. Before we left, I expected to miss being in another country, but I didn't expect it to really have this much of an effect on me.

The work we did was extremely hard and tiring but in the end we all pulled through. I think it was a little harder on me because of my leg, but everyone helped me get through it, having me do less difficult work even though I didn't want to. Because of the close living conditions and everything, I thik it was impossible for everyone not to get to know each other better and become great friends in the end. I didn't really know many people that went on the trip other than the peope that were in my class, but in the end I got to know everyone a lot better, even the teachers that went (I would have never expected the teachers to be much different than they are during school, but they are!)

Experiencing a different culture, meeting and working with the people we met there really made an impact on me. While we were in the rainforest working near the school, it really made me rethink the things I take for granted every day. The place they had class was just an old pavillion-type thing. They didn't have much, but they were extremely happy and appreciated the things they did have. It was the same way while we were in La Carpio. The houses were made of corrugated metal, they barely had running water and a clean environment, but they were all still happy.

These are things you more than likely would never see in the US. People just don't appreciate the things they have, always wanting the latest technology and clothes. I do admit that I always want more things, but after going and staying in a different country for 12 days and seeing how they live with much less than what I have, I appreciate what I have a lot more than I did before. Looking around Pittsburgh, seeing the way people act as compared to the people we met in Costa Rica, I kind of feel ashamed. Other countries look at Americans and whether we like it or not, we tend to fall under the typical stereotypes that are set for the US. Americans are so different than people in other countries and we tend to think that we're more superior than them because of our technology and government and whatnot, but in reality, we really aren't superior to anyone. This trip changed my perspective about the US (even though I have a more negative outlook.) I think that everyone should try to go on this trip from our school.

We were hoping for an uneventful return...but didn't get it ;-)

Our flight home was delayed from San Jose by 45 minutes -- just long enough to have USAirways delay our connection to Pittsburgh by 30 minutes so we'd make it. We were grateful and had well communicated to our students what we all needed to do to catch our final plane. USAirways told us they would have their USAirways staff meet us right outside of customs, we would hand off our suitcases, and run to the flight. Our team of 24 was ready for the challenge.

Unfortunately, the bags were delayed in reaching the baggage claim, making us THREE MINUTES too late to pass through TSA security after customs. So we were grounded in Charlotte for the night. I couldn't believe my ears when the attendant told me. This was probably among the top ten worst case scenarios for a bunch of tired chaperones like ours. The process of contacting all parents and breaking the news began quickly, and plans for our extra evening together were arranged.

It took about an hour (until 11:30pm or so) for them to book us a new flight and hotel rooms, and then they said all we had to do head up to passenger pickup and the hotel's van would take us to the hotel, which was just 5 minutes away.

Unfortunately, when we got up to the passenger pick up most food vending was closed and the van for the hotel (which was 20 min away, not 5) only fit 6 students in the first trip as the van only fit 12 and there were other guests going there for the night. So the van had to make 3 trips and it took about 40 min round trip each time -- so the last group didn't get to the hotel until almost 1:30am. USAirways wanted us back at the airport at 5:45am at the latest so we did wake up calls for the kids at 4:15am....and we began re-shuttling the the airport by 5am.

I was amazed at how well our group of students coped with this unexpected delay. There were a few tears, but overall they saw there was nothing we could do and did what needed to be done without complaint. Our family had really formed over the past two weeks together, and it showed in the way they handled themselves in this final night.

We finally arrived about 9:30am yesterday morning....a bit weary from the last leg of travel, and happy to be home :-)

Pura Vida!

Last Full Day in Costa Rica (Day 11)

By Jared Sams
Edited by Mr. Moreland

It's the last day and we leave tomorrow after a long two weeks here in Costa Rica. The trip has been great and I've learned a lot about myself by visiting another country. We've helped and met many different people with big projects for both families and students. It gave an insight on how people live, what they go through, and for the most part, what it means to them.

I used to question whether or not this trip would be life changing or if I would get anything out of it. The truth is that this trip changed my life and the way I view many things. I also learned that I can do a lot more than I think I can if I just take the time to try.

The two things I realized from this trip. First, we as Americans have a lot more than we think we do and that we have it a lot easier than other people in other countries. The second thing is that technology isn't as important as we make it seem. It can tear people apart much faster than it can bring people together. We should take time to be with the people who mean the most to us instead of being connected to a computer or cell phone.

Goodbye Rainforest!

Written by Dany Washington
Edited by: Mr. Moreland

So we left the rainforest yesterday. I can truthfully say I am going to miss it. The people were so simple and appreciative. While we got a lot of work done toward building a new home for Quebrada Arroyo's teacher, it seems like there is much work that still needs to be done to improve their community. I felt as if we got a small amount of work done on the project; however, the community members felt so appreciative and happy for the work that we completed. I definitely am not ready to go back to selfish, unappreciative United States. If only there was a way to bring my family down here to Costa Rica!

What I learned from the Costa Ricans

By Nikki Landosky, student
Edited by Mr. Moreland

The time we spent working in the rain forest had its effect on all of us both mentally and physically. In my opinion, it gave me more of an outlook on how people handle things and appreciate what they have. In America, people really have it easy. We have multiple ways of transportation, construction and education while in the rain forest and even parts of the city they don't have any of that. Every day I hear people complaining that they don't have the latest technology or don't get their way with something but after spending a few days with people that have barely anything and helping them build things by hand, I've learned to appreciate things lot more myself.

Another thing I've seen while I was here was the friendliness and hospitality of everyone we've met. Everyone we've worked with and have been around have just been extremely polite and friendly. In the US, it seems that all workers want to do is compete while they work. It doesn't really matter how much work actually gets done in the end, it just matters who looks the best. Meanwhile, while we worked over here, everyone worked together. Sure, we all were completely exhausted and tired out in the end, but it was ll worth it. We cleared out and leveled the place for the teacher's house near the school in Quebrada Arroyo, removed the sewage pipe in La Carpio and so much more.

Overall, I think this trip helped me learn a lot about different things.

Comparing Latin America and North American Cultures, Day 3

By Bethany Daffern
Edited by Mr. Moreland

It's day three here in Costa Rica and I've finally seen things that normally you wouldn't see back in the United States. One difference I have seen between Costa Rica and the US is Costa Rican's collectivism vs. American's sense of individualism.

For example today we had our first service trip to the Costa Rican community of La Carpio. During the interview we had before we started work the community leaders made sure that they gave everyone in La Carpio some kind of recognition for helping make the community a better place for not only their own family, but for the other people that live in the community as well.

Another thing that I noticed was the time orientation. The people of La Carpio were not in a rush to get the job done, they took their time, made sure that we were all doing everything correctly.

I felt that our service project at La Carpio will be remembered for a long time by both the people of La Carpio and by the students of City High. I really hope that by building roads in their community, we will help them gain title to their own land.

A third cultural pattern which I have noticed is the high contact of Costa Ricans vs. low contact of people from the US. In the States you wouldn't expect someone to run up to you and hug you, unless you REALLY know the person well. But here in Costa Rica it's different. When we visited the high school on Tuesday Ms. Melissa, a Costa Rican English teacher, was very happy to have received the shirt which was being presented to her. All I had expected when giving her the shirt was a simple hand shake and thank you. But instead she hugged me, and at first I thought what's going on? Then I realized that this small token of thanks meant a great deal to her.

This trip and the meaning is finally starting to kick in, and back home we have it good. Many people of Costa Rica has so much less than we do. But yet we as Americans still think we need, need, need. We don't need more things, we need to those who need our help. It doesn't matter who they are, or where they live, we're all in this together. We are a family. We live in a world that we care about, and this experience is helping me and the whole group understand these things, maybe not on day one, but after day three, I'm starting to see the meaning in this.

Adios.

The Open-Heartedness of Costa Rica

Written by Steven Tichenor, Student

Edited by Mr. Moreland

My experience here in Costa Rica taught me many lessons of its people and its culture. Ever since we got here, there has been a smile on each and every person's face and many strangers have smiled wider and said "Pura Vida" which means, "The good life". It's so shocking that everybody here is not only welcoming to us outsiders, but also caring that we are here to help. This can be seen all throughout the streets of San Jose, but it didn't really hit me until we got to Quebrada Arroyo.

In Quebrada Arroyo, the conditions aren't top notch, but we met some fabulous people who let us into their community as if we were family. We met Don Miguel, Corona, Victor, and Victor Hugo. Don Miguel was the leader of the group, Corona is the wife of Victor and the cook for our group, Victor is a farmer who lives nearby, and Victor Hugo is Victor's son who helps out.

Don Miguel and Corona fed us three meals a day of beans and rice and made sure we had everything we needed. This type of treatment normally would be expected, especially if we were staying at a hotel, but we weren't! We were staying in the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest and I wasn't expecting them to treat us as amazingly as they did. They did so, because they care and because they enjoy helping and teaching others about the rainforest and their community. This wasn't just seen by how they treated us, but how well they treated the animals and plants around them.

Quebrada Arroyo is a remote rainforest community that has to build most of their own roads, houses, and schools. For three days we helped move rocks, cinder blocks, and dirt in order to build a house for the local elementary school teacher. Moving these things wasn't easy and the work was in extremely hot and humid conditions . When we were completing these various tasks, however, everybody was pitching in. Whether it was Victor Hugo or teacher Jenny, everybody was willing to lend a helping hand. It was with that collective mentality that helped build their school, the houses that Victor and Miguel live in, the roads that allow people to get around, and help build the community as a whole. They work harder than anybody I've ever known; and they do so with the sweat of their brow and by putting their heart into their work. I have never truly met people who are so genuinely caring and happy to meet and learn from the outside population. It is incredible and I will never forget the open-hearted people of Quebrada Arroyo.