Day 9: fun day!!!!
Student Trip Blog
What is up, everyone?! It is the Global Glimpse T3C Delegation coming at you from our brand-new base camp in Costa Rica!.
Hello parents, friends, and family! On Day 2 of this Global Glimpse journey, the group officially moved into their new base camp in Turrialba, Costa Rica!.
Stepping onto a plane without familiar faces and leaving family at the airport is an intimidating milestone for many of us, students, especially for those traveling abroad alone for the first time. However, today completely changed the dynamic as the delegation began to gel as a collective unit.
The Winding Road to Turrialba
The morning started with a hearty breakfast at the hotel in San José before the group loaded into the bus. The students waved goodbye to the big city and started a scenic three-hour drive up into the mountains toward Turrialba. While the winding mountain roads were a bit of a test for some stomachs, the breathtaking views made the journey completely worth it.
The bus made a couple of quick pit stops to let everyone stretch their legs and sample some snacks. Along the route, the natural scenery was spectacular. The delegation witnessed a trio of cascading waterfalls cutting right through the lush green mountains, and a few sharp-eyed students even spotted a pair of wild Tucans chilling high up in the tree canopy!
A stunning shot of misty waterfalls cascading down a lush, green Costa Rican mountainside
Two colorful tucans perched on a branch, framed by bright green tropical leaves
Base Camp & Comidas Típicas
The bus finally pulled into the delegation’s home base for the next week: Finca Aracari. This beautiful property is a total natural paradise, surrounded by dense trees, open skies, and a direct view where the Turrialba Volcano peeks through the clouds.
Upon arrival, the group met Diego, who will be serving as their personal chef during their stay. For lunch, he whipped up an incredible spread of comidas típicas (traditional food), featuring classic rice and beans, a fresh salad, and sweet, freshly squeezed fruit juice.
Diego – our personal chef
Rain, Reframing, and Creating Our Crew
Right on cue in the afternoon, the classic Costa Rican heavy rains started rolling in. The students gathered on the property’s massive, covered open deck—completely protected from the downpour—to watch the storm over the mountains.
This environment provided the perfect backdrop for the real Global Glimpse magic to begin. Being away from home without everyday comforts can make anyone feel vulnerable, but the delegation used this focused afternoon to establish group norms, set their collective rules, and map out the goals for the week. They discussed what it means to look at the world through a deeper lens, exploring concepts of environmental justice and how local culture links up with sustainability.
To balance out the serious discussions, the students spent hours bonding over games. The deck turned into a friendly tournament zone with pool, ping-pong, Jenga, and intense rounds of Uno. Students who started the day as independent individuals from different schools and backgrounds left the deck officially functioning as a unified team.
Leadership Under the Stars
To wrap up an epic day, the group held their very first nightly meeting: reflecting on the day, going over the next day’s agenda, “pluses and wishes”, “big love”, and reflecting on the quote of the day and question to contemplate. Students dug into different leadership styles, reflecting on how they can support one another and step outside their comfort zones. Every one showed collaboration in leading their peers through these reflections, demonstrating how these travel experiences push students to grow into confident leaders. Before calling it a night, the leadership torch was officially passed to tomorrow’s designated student leaders!
Stay Tuned for Tomorrow!
Tomorrow is Community Day! The delegation will be meeting local families who are opening up their homes and hearts to teach the students about their history, culture, and way of life. The squad is a little nervous but incredibly hyped to build these cross-cultural connections.
Make sure to check back tomorrow to hear directly from our Leaders of the Day! Pura Vida!