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Staff & students enjoy another memorable service trip to Costa Rica
Students pictured in front of one of many scenic places they visited
during their trip.
City High recently sent twenty 11th grade students and four teachers to Costa Rica for a service learning trip. They were in Costa Rica for eight days, from March 31 to April 7.
For the service learning portion of the trip, students and staff worked hard in tandem with the locals to revitalize communal spaces. They pitched in with the sanding and painting of a barn that will be used to raise cattle, as well as a bathroom facility. They also helped to maintain some popular hiking trails.
A handful of students working on trail maintenance!
"It's amazing how well we can connect to people without understanding each other's words. I say this because although there was a bit of a language barrier we connected so well with the people. We laughed and made genuine connections,” Tytiana Hauser shared about her experience.
It was not all work, however. Students had the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the cultural experience of being in a different country. Students got to enjoy local foods, explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica and even got to visit Volcano Irazú.
Student Profile: Kaylee Carman
“Honestly, at first we were all unhappy and wanted to go home. We didn't like how small the hotel was or how there were bugs in the cabins everyday. It seemed like this trip was going to be a mistake. But as the days progressed we found ourselves adapting and creating unexpected bonds. That's when I found the true meaning of the trip—that even through rough times you can still find the light in the darkness even if things don't go as planned. The Costa Ricans were a big example of that. Even though they were going through a rough time, they still managed to laugh and smile through it all. But most importantly, they had each other just like we had each other. It wasn't just one person that made the trip enjoyable, it was everyone! We may have gotten on each other's nerves from time to time but we made it work and I am truly grateful for experiencing that.”
Student Profile: Rosemary Wang
“Being in the rainforest was such a memorable experience, it was definitely my favorite part. Being so close to nature was a contrast to my usual life in Pittsburgh. I loved whenever we would learn about the different types of plants and how the community up there utilizes some of them. We also saw a lot of animals and insects. Although the hikes were intense, I really enjoyed them as well. They were all so welcoming in Quebrada Arroyo, even with a language barrier we all managed to connect with the community.
The sights you could see, even just from the dining area, were stunning. While pictures can give you the visuals, actually being there really immerses you. I feel like there's nothing that could replicate the feeling without actually being there.
I believe I've learned a lot about myself and things that I might want for the future from the Costa Rica trip. To be honest, I was nervous at first and I wasn't sure. But I'm so happy and grateful that I was given the chance to go.
Thank you to City High for the opportunity. Thank you to Mrs. Garman, Mrs. Morgan, Ms. Ouellette, Ms. Cottrell and Mr. Yaskolko for working extremely hard for us to enjoy the trip and being there for us. And a huge, huge thank you to Mindy McHale and Kathryn Durkin for providing students with the chance to experience this amazing trip with The Nick Durkin Scholarship Fund. Their generosity is something I don't think I'll ever forget.”
