Meagan Hughes- May 27, 2013

Being in Costa Rica has been an exciting experience, and I am sad to say that the end is in sight.  In just a few days we will be headed back the Indiana, but with us we will bring unforgettable memories, friendships, and lessons learned that will stay with us from these three weeks spent in Costa Rica.  

My name is Meagan Hughes and I am going to be a sophomore at Purdue University in the fall.  I am studying Computer Graphics Technology with a minor in Art/Design.  Coming to Costa Rica was one of the best decisions I have made.  I have improved my Spanish skills, adapted to a new culture, tried some amazing food, made lasting friendships, and I now have a great resume booster!

We have definitely had our share of unique experiences while here in Costa Rica.  The first things that come to my mind are: going to the beach in Cauhita, touring the market in San Jose, visiting Irazu volcano, and experiencing a minor earthquake!  My favorite part was this past weekend at Monteverde.  We stayed at an amazing hotel that overlooked the mountains and spent the day zip-lining through the cloud forest.  The zip-lining was incredible and you couldn’t ask for a better way to see the wild life.  We also tried out the Tarzan swing, which was scary but definitely worth it!  

Pura Vida!

Meagan Hughes

 At the Irazu Volcano with Sarah (I'm on the right)

Heading to zip line with Stephanie!

Overlooking Monteverde

Marcos Navarrete- May 26, 2013

Costa Rica the country of Pura Vida. Being in Costa Rica has been a great experience that I will never forget. Being abroad in a different country is a great opportunity to experience and I recommend anyone who desires to see new horizons in life to visit Costa Rica. Costa Rica has showed me a whole new perspective on culture opening new customs that I have never knew about. Living with my homestay family has been a really good experience my "mama tica" is absolutely the nicest and most generous person I've met so far in Costa Rica she treats me like if I were her best friend/son because of all the great conversations we have. The people I've met in Costa Rica are really approachable and like to conversate regardless if your Tico or not. Practicing my Spanish with Ticos is going to be a great reward in the end for me, because I'm going to be fluent in Spanish and have no problem in the future.

Working at my service learning site has been a good experience as well. I volunteer at an agency that facilitates adults with disabilities and provides special education. Being in this sort of environment gave me a different view of working with people because I have never interacted with people with disabilities, and so far it's been a fun eye opening experience. I've gained so much social interaction at Costa Rica mingling with the people here and its been a great opportunity hearing stories of all sorts of people. 

Costa Rica is a small country with so much in it, and luckily I've had the opportunity to witness a lot of the country that has been amazing. I've been to many places like the beach in Limon on the Atlantic Coast, Visited Heredia and San Jose, seen the affluent city of Escazu where president Obama visited recently,witnessed many of the biodiversity of Costa Rica, and my favorite place was the Cloud Forest of Monteverde. Studying Abroad with HORIZONS has been a great opportunity to mark great memories and interact with fellow Purdue peers. Being in Costa has been a great experience so far and I know I would like to come back. 
Like Ticos say Pura Vida!

-Marcos

       

My new friend from my service learning site

Sunset in Monteverde

Admiring the breathtaking views

     
                           

                            

Hector Mena- May 25, 2013

Doing any study abroad is a good idea, and this trip to Costa Rica is no exception. Being an engineering major, my service learning is with an engineering consultant firm specializing in green energy projects. On my first week we had a meeting with financial investors from Holland, and gave them a tour of the hydro plant they were financing. It has been a great insight into the business of engineering.

 At the Hydroplant

Then there is the cultural learning that comes from being in a new country. The people here are very friendly, and seem to always be happy. The biggest surprise Costa Rica gave me was the roads. Without actual addresses, the only way to get around is to give directions based off of landmarks. So even though it’s a small country, is still takes a while to get around the place. The food though, is amazing with rice and beans being staple foods in most meals. They are not big on spicy food, so I wasn’t too excited for that, but everything tastes great so it’s all good.

Eating a tortilla at the Heredia Mercado

The country itself is beautiful, as it is always green. For the first weekend we went to Puerto Viejo, a beach town on the Caribbean. Costa Rica is known for having good surfing beaches, and this is quite apparent when you feel the waves.This little town definitely provided a different setting as opposed to San Jose. Our trip to Monteverde was nothing short of breathtaking. Zip lining through this cloud forest was amazing and provided some of the best views of Costa Rica.

The sunset in Puerto Viejo

The view from our hotel in Monteverde

Rosa Villarreal- Cuahita, Costa Rican Adventure

This past weekend our group went on an excursion during our free weekend to Cauhita, Costa Rica. We hired a bus driver and a tour guide to lead our group safely to the Caribbean Sea. We really didn’t know what to expect prior to arrival and once we drove through our small Caribbean town we were very surprised by the Rastafarian influence on the coast. Most of the restaurants, bars, and even hotels were themed around Reggae and the Rastafarian lifestyle. We were warned prior to arrival to be cautious, always remain within a group, and not to drink their water or accept ice in our drinks. We stayed at Hotel Malu, bungalow style accommodations.  Unfortunately it was raining throughout our stay with random reprieves throughout, however that did not stop us from spending time in the ocean. We had an incredible scare on Saturday when Ryan and two students became swept up in a rip tide. Heroically, 3 of our male students saved their lives as they stayed calm and pulled them to safety. I hugged each of our students tight while my heart raced to know how close we came to losing them. Needless to say, we all remained away from the water after that. We ate so much food, visited numerous overpriced souvenir shops, and enjoyed each others company throughout the weekend. Juan and Jose, our guides kept us safe and informed throughout, the trip would have been significantly different had it not been for them. We visited Puerto Viejo a nearby coastal town where the students enjoyed the nightlife and met up with 4 of our other students who opted to vacation without the rest of the group. The day we left the sun came out to bid us goodbye, too bad it didn't show its beautiful face sooner:-)

Our Tour Guides Juan and Jose

The view from the hotel

I snuck up on a student:-)

Our hotel

Sarah Martinez- May 23, 2013

I woke up at 5:30 AM to get ready for the day and have time for breakfast before my roommate and I left to walk to the school we volunteer with three other HORIZONS students. Fast forward eight hours (with some tasty dulce de leche ice cream from Pops in between) and I’m standing in the market of Heredia with all these different sights and smells swarming my senses. You can check out pictures of the market and school below! ¡Pura vida! Is the only way I can describe my time hereand how quickly it seems to be falling through my fingers like the sand of the beautiful Caribbean my roommate took back in an old pop bottle. I can’t even begin to describe to you what all this green does for your soul. On my walk to school with my roommate, there are mountains in front of me, mountains to the left of me, and mountains behind me. No matter how tired I am in the morning, there is an overwhelming feeling that this is my life and I’m so blessed to be here in this country experiencing this beautiful culture. Working in the school here in Santo Domingo is difficult. The culture shock between school systems was a little overwhelming at first. At all times there are running, screaming, jumping children everywhere. However, the love and joy emanating from these children towards us is what makes our visits so worth it. I’ll be taking home with me a pile of notes all saying “I love you!” It isn’t until you see life from a different perspective that you can begin to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Costa Rica will forever be an eye-opening, life changing experience for me.

 El Mercado

 My Service Learning Site

 A love letter from a student

In Puerto Viejo, I'm sitting with my arms crossed second person top right



Raquel Davis- May 22, 2013

There has been so much to see and do upon my arrival in Costa Rica! I honestly have to say that I am so glad I decided to attend the Horizons Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica. This Maymester I was placed at an agency in San Jose that works on the improvement of social inclusion in the lives of adolescent teenagers.  I’m excited to be working on this project because I have the opportunity to develop a marketing plan and business proposal for a newly established business.

My name is Raquel Davis and I’m currently a senior in the College of Technology double majoring in Organizational and Leadership Supervision/Psychology andminoring in Sociology with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. I’m happy that I have been placed in anagency that coincides with my plan of study. Costa Rica thus far has been very enjoyable. I have had the opportunity to experience a different culture as well as take in the breathtaking scenery. Not to mention I have one of the best host mothers in the entire world who makes some of the most delicious food you have ever tasted. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this trip has in store. Pura Vida!  

Traditional Costa Rican Dish             

I'm on the left with my friend Troyce during our San Jose Tour

Found a beautiful flower on our journey to the Caribbean

Hanging out with Joe and Troyce

Stephanie DiSimini- May 21, 2013

Going to Costa Rica with Horizons was one of the best decisions I have ever made! The natural beauty of Costa Rica is breathtaking! We have seen beaches on the Caribbean side, and so many beautiful places. I love shopping and eating, and I have been taking advantage of all of my time in this fascinating country. I cannot wait to experience Monte Verde, a cloud forest which I have heard a lot about.

Upon arriving in Costa Rica I soon realized that my host family was perfect! They have accepted me as one of their own and have shared with me so much knowledge and help, but even more love! They have shown me the true nature of the Costa Rican people. There have been so many amazing memories and experiences that I will never forget. The group of people I am with are all so genuine and amazing that they make the trip that much better. From dancing until the early morning, or just being there for you when you need help of any kind, they are amazing people with even better personalities. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends!

I have also been so blessed to be able to volunteer at the Simon Bolivar National Zoo, and a vet clinic. It has been hard work, but a great learning experience. I get to clean exotic animal cages and prepare large amounts of food for the beautiful creatures. I have seen animals in surgery, and have cleaned up a lot of animal feces and kennels. I can say it has been  fun, but it has been at times very interesting! Getting used to a new cultural can be difficult at times, but in the end I know it will be so worth it. My Spanish is improving and I am enjoying the learning of this beautiful language! This trip has been filled with so much fun and learning and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the trip brings!

Pura Vida!

Stephanie DeSimini

 At my service learning site- Simon Bolivar National Zoo

Finishing up a tour of INbio Parque

 At the Beach!

With my mama tica and friends