Since I first traveled to Costa Rica in 2000, the country and its people have occupied a special place in my heart. So when I became a Spanish teacher at the Canterbury School in Fort Meyers, Florida, I wanted to share my love for Costa Rica with my students. This dream was realized in February thanks to the Costa Rica Outward Bound School.

When my colleague and I agreed on Costa Rica as the destination, I was overwhelmed by my own expectations. Although I wanted to include renowned activities such as rafting and surfing, I sought a unique adventure that reached beyond the formulaic Costa Rican experience commonly illustrated in travel magazines. I also hoped that students would gain a sense of leadership, self-reliance, and personal accomplishment.

It seemed like a tall order for our short February break. Yet, Shawn, the custom course manager, obliged and created an adventure-packed week that exceeded my expectations. I watched as the students’ eyes widened as I read aloud the itinerary, which included a waterfall rappel, three home stays, a 15-hour solo and a day at Manuel Antonio beach.

On February 14, we arrived in San Jose, and our instructor hoisted us away to base camp where we quickly packed our packs and headed for our first campsite. Students immediately learned the importance of time efficiency and teamwork. They were each assigned jobs to maintain the daily flow of activities, and we held nightly meetings to reflect on the days’ events. This organization allowed the group to complete a wide variety of enriching activities with the home stay families. Students participated in daily chores such as milking cows, cooking meals, and making cheese. These experiences gave students a greater appreciation for their meals and a new perspective on life.

Intertwined with these learning experiences were several physical challenges. Our first day of hiking was extremely demanding, but the triumphant feeling when we reached our destination was well worth the journey. With aching feet and sore legs, we descended a 70-foot waterfall the following day. During the waterfall rappel two students and I overcame our fear of heights, and similar endeavors resulted in exceptional personal successes.

I believe that everyone would agree that our surfing adventure was the icing on the cake. We shouted “Pura vida!” as one by one each member of our group stood up and rode a wave to shore. As the sun set on Manuel Antonio beach, we truly began to appreciate the Costa Rica Outward Bound adventure. We had accomplished so many things, faced so many challenges, and overcome so many obstacles. The experience will undeniably remain an important part of our life journey.

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