Cultural exchange + cheese farm
Student Trip Blog
Today was day 3 of our journey in Turrialba and it was also the first day of having a leader of the day. We four, Dharyana, Crismel, Christian, and Gilbert, were the first volunteers. The main activity of the day was visiting local homes and our task was being the translator for our group. It was a great way of showing initatiative and being in touch with our culture. We were each assigned to different homes to share a cooking experience. These were the homes of Doña Mila, Doña Rosaria, Tia Carmen and Doña Johanna. They each welcomed us with open arms and immediate hospitality. We were told prior that a way of showing love in Costa Rica was through sharing meals and it is true. After introducing ourselves we were shown seats and offered sliced fruit, and sugarcane.
Crismel Perspective
We sat down at the table while some of us tried sugarcane for the fist time and others talked to dona Rosaria. It was a good experience to talk to her and learn about her daily life in Costa Rica. Then we started off by cooking mash potatos with cheese, saled, chicken ,fried patains and ate together at the table. Dona Rosaria served us homemade icecream. She got to show us her garden and started to talk about her family. We sat down at the table while some of us tried sugarcane for the first time and others talked to Doña Rosaria. It was a good experience to talk to her and learn about her daily life in Costa Rica. Then we began by cooking mashed potatoes with cheese, cutting up vegetables for salad, seasoning and baking chicken, fried plantains (Tyra cheffed up!) and learning more about Doña Rosaria’s life. She told us about her children, her love for her country, her experiences studying and working as a cook, and much more. After we cleaned up, we ate our meal together at the table, with fresh pineapple juice to drink. Doña Rosaria served us homemade sour guava ice cream on her porch, and we enjoyed the view of the mountains as the clouds began to roll in. She told us about a nearby volcano that you can see on clear days! She also got to show us her garden where she grew the cilantro that we used in the salad and told us about how much she loved plants. We ended with making tortillas and empanadas to take down the hill for our rainy walk home. We had such a great time with Doña Rosaria, and she invited us back to stay any time we wanted!
Christians Perspective!!!!!!
On the way to Tia Carmens house my group Mat, Tahlia, Emily and Summer passed through multiple unique plants and bugs that are typical to Costa Rica. One of the plants we passed was a hallucinogenic plant and one bug we saw was a butterfly. Before we entered Tia Carmens house, my group was hit with how vibrant her house and area was, there was lush plants, there were cats and dogs and Tia Carmen had some plants outside. Inside Tia Carmens house we were welcomed with open arms, she had food ready for us which consisted of rice, beans, picadillo, meat and fried chicharon. The plentiful and yummy food made everyone full and happy, Tia Carmen decided to help us digest the food by walking to her catholic church that she works at which was downhill from where we were at. The church looked very well built and the inside also showed that, we then went to pass by a school which looked small but comfy, and when we passed it we ended up at a soccer field where we saw Costa Rican people ages 13 to 16 playing soccer. It looked very intense and fun. As we were walking back to Tia Carmens house we were suprised by a giant spider it scared everyone in my group. Then when we were in Tia Carmens house we started cooking empanadas. For a lot of people in my group it was their first time making an empanada so they took initiative and took turns cutting. When we finished cooking, we played bingo and ate the empanadas we made. We left Tia Carmens house with a new view on how people live.
Gilbert’s Perspective
When first meeting Doña Mila and her husband and two kids, they showed us a butterfly farm with many butterflies and caterpilars. After that, we went to talk with the family–asking them different questions about how their life in Costa Rica is like–and helped prepare our lunch. We helped them by cutting various vegetables as they prepared some chicken. For lunch we had rice with chicken mixed with it, black beans and a salad consisting of lettuce and beets. After lunch, my group met with Dharyana’s group and looked at a farm nearby the houses. There were many chickens and pigs, even some baby pigs. After that, we all played some bingo together and won several snacks from Costa Rica. The games ended and my group went back into Doña Mila’s house and prepared some handmade tortillas by mixing flour, cheese, salt, sour cream and water and forming it into flat disks. We ate our tortillas with coffee and sweet water and said goodbye as we went back into our accomodation.
Dharyana’s Perspective
Before meeting Doña Johanna we had to wait for her to arrive so we were invited to explore Doña Mila’s butterfly pavilion. Being able to be around the nature and even being able to interact with some of the butterflies was a really memorable experience for everyone in my group. Afterwards we were able to enter Doña Johannas home and start with the meal. We were assigned to chop up onions, peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes for the pico de gallo. We were having fun laughing at our bad knife skills, but we definitely improved as we went on. Cutting up different ingredients for each meal was a great bonding experience for my group. We shared our backgrounds and what our own families were like. We were able to talk to Doña Johanna, her husband, and son about our lives back home and our experiences in Costa Rica so far. After we shared a delicious meal of white rice, picadillo, pico de gallo, and beef we were able to ask Doña Johanna’s family more questions about their life here and their favorite memories. She expressed her love for Turrialba and its peacefulness. She adores the wildlife and the bird songs in the morning. We also learned that everyone around this property was family and for fun they often reunite together to share a cup of coffee. Once we finished cleaning our table, me and Gilbert’s group reunited for a game of bingo all together. Our prize was a snack and pin from the adorable neighbor’s son, Mateo. Nelson, Doña Johannas husband, led us to the farm where we saw pigs, cows and chickens. We admired the baby pigs and took pictures of all the animals. We then moved on to make tortillas and we were actually all good at it. We enjoyed the tortillas with a homemade cup of coffee. Lastly, we shared our last few moments with Doña Johanna and took a group photo.
Comments (33)
Stephanie Parra
What a beautiful and meaningful way to truly immerse yourself in the culture of Costa Rica! Sending you lots of love, miss you so much, Jaslene!
Zenefar
It’s so nice to see you guys having fun and exploring, these opportunities will allow you to live by yourself and come back with new and improved skills.
We miss you and love you so much Araf – Mom, dad, and your sister
B.Rodriguez
Hey Saramia, I greatly appreciate the lovely families that opened their homes to you & welcomed everyone. It brings me joy to see all these beautiful pictures & hearing you’re bonding with nature as well with everyone on the trip. Community day was a success & I hope you wrote down some recipes to teach me the skills you learned lol
I look forward to reading tomorrow’s entry.
Te amo mi amor bello-
Mamí y Papí
Cameron Byrne
What an amazing experience to get to go and share that time with someone to learn more about the culture! Love and miss you London!
Elizabeth Elsass
What a fun day! I cannot wait for you to come show us how to make homemade tortillas! That is something I have always wanted to do, and now you can teach us!
Lesdia
Hi Summer! So glad you are able to explore from making food to seeing the local school and kids playing soccer. So as mentioned you came across a giant spider. I could only imagine your expression. Not the baby spiders you see in NY. I’m sure the food was yummy, so in your element with giving a hand in the kitchen. So ironic that the person you went to visit has the same name as your grandma. Looks like you’re all enjoying yourselves. Thank you for the pictures and story line. Miss you and love you to the moon and back.
Mom😘🌺
Cynthia
Hi Gilbert! I’m glad you’re meeting families and interacting with others. that’s great, your learning how to cook. I know you enjoyed the food, it looks so good! How about the baby pig, so cute lol I hope you’re taking pictures. We love you so much😘
Janina
Miss you Natalie! Hope you learn and soak up all the experience 🙂
Love Mom
Greg
So nice to be able to take in some authentic local experiences and cuisine. Enjoy!
Kristen Palmieri
What a truly special and enriching experience for you Nora! It’s heartwarming to see all of you so fully immersed in Costa Rican culture—learning not just about the food, but the people, traditions, and way of life. Cooking alongside a local family who generously opened their home is such a powerful way to connect across cultures. I’m so grateful that you – Nora and your peers – are having the chance to learn firsthand, through shared meals, meaningful conversations, and authentic experiences that will surely stay all of you for a lifetime.
Miss and love you very much,
Mom, Dad, & Anna
Randy Ohmen
Olivia and Gilbert!!! Looks amazing there! Hope you all are having a great time. Can’t wait to see and read more about the trip…randy
Mario M
To my favorite fist bumpers, Olivia & Gilbert,
I’m so proud of everything you’re doing for the people in the community. Enjoy your stay and soak up every moment out there. I can’t wait to see you in September—bringing home a new version of yourselves, filled with rich experiences and new knowledge about different cultures.
Go make memories, learn, and keep making a difference. 👊🌍💛
Joel S.
It’s so great to see the start of your journey in Costa Rica! Olivia and Gilbert, I’m glad you’re getting to enjoy the beautiful Costa Rican countryside, the warm hospitality, and the incredibly fresh food and rich, sweet coffee. I went to Costa Rica on a similar trip when I was your age and it was really eye-opening and joyful. I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trips this summer. Sending well-wishes from me and the rest of your Middle College family!
Cheryl
Olivia and Gilbert, it looks like you are having such a cool experience so far!!
Be safe and have fun 🙂
Cheryl
Melissa Cooper Gitlin
Shout out to Middle College peeps!! We are so proud of you and your willingness to step outside your comfort zone! What you learn over the next several days will stay with you forever!!!
Jae
Hey Gilberto and Olivia! So nice to see you having fun and meeting new people. I am really excited to hear the stories when you return. You got this “Captain!”
Michael Cooper
Gilbert and Olivia! Seems like such an amazing experience for you both. I’m really happy both of you are on this trip and seeing a different side of the Costa Rican culture, other than the touristy things people do. I can’t wait to hear about it next year. And Gilbert, I see you got a hair cut for the trip. Looks good brother!
Rachel
Hi Olivia and Gilbert!!
Your trip looks amazing- what a meaningful way to spend the day. I can’t wait to hear about all your adventures when you get back! Have a great time!!
Rachel
Casey
Hey Olivia and Gilbert,
It looks like you are being well cared for by your hosts. Enjoy your trip and bring us back some great stories.
Gennesys Peralta
Hi Olivia & Gilbert! Wow! It looks like you guys are having such an amazing time already. I am so happy to see your unique experiences in the homes of locals. The GG experience is so special, please take in every moment you can. You are both such great leaders. MCHS is rooting you on, we are so proud of you and cannot wait to hear all about your wonderful trip!
P.S Olivia, I am still waiting for some more of your incredible home made honey!
Love you guys
Xoxo
—-Gennesys
Laura Pawson
Olivia and Gilbert!!!!!! Have the best time in Costa Rica, we miss you already! I’m incredibly proud of both of you, soak in every second of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re back home. Love ya!
♥️ Laura Pawson
Shau-Shanna
Hi Tahlia,
Looks like you’re being welcomed with open arms 🥰the meals sound delicious. Awesome of the families to welcome everyone into their homes and culture. I’m sure you see some similarities to your own culture 😊. Continue to immerse yourself and embrace your new environment. We love you! Mommy 🥰
Lisa Miller
How special to get to spend time at someone’s home!! Loved getting to chat with you! Missing you extra. Hope tomorrow is amazing! We love you, sis!
kai b
LINGY AND LONDIE looks like you guys are having fun! Miss you both tons and so does ling ling juice!
Felisa
Gilbert, Olivia, it was so good to see your smiles outside of MCHS! I’m so glad it’s you representing – and expanding! – our community.
Your days sound full of new experiences for all the senses, and I’m glad you have each other and new friends to process it all with. Enjoy the rest of your time, and know that we’re smiling for you back here!
❤️
Dusty Miller
Hope you are having an amazing time!! We miss and love you!!
Chevonne Torrecilla
Have the best time Gilbert and Olivia! Seems like you’re both off to a good start. What an amazing summer experience 🙂
Jayson
Im happy my best bro is learning good life skills and experiencing life in other places I wish I could have an experience like he is now but I’m so happy he can do this. Gilbert you better call me and tell me everything when you get back!
– jayson
Dario Phipps
I’m so glad to know that you are living this beautiful experience. Very proud of all of you. Dharyana, sweetheart I love you and miss you.
Phuong le
Hi Gin! I miss you so much. But, I am so proud of your adventurous spirit and kind heart. The pictures show such happy faces. I am so grateful to everyone taking such good care of you & your classmates.
Savor every moment of this once in a life-time experience.
I look forward to seeing all your pics & hearing about this incredible adventure.
Love you, Mom
Eva Phipps
Hi Dharyana, (Nana), I am so proud of you and very happy that you are experiencing this beautiful moments. We miss you and I can’t wait to hear all about it. I can’t wait for you to make tortillas for me. 😀
Love,
Nena
Dario Phipps
Dharyana, I want to let you know that I’ll keep an eye on my phone, this Saturday. I’ll be waiting… Love ❤️ you so much.
Cristino
Muy buenas noches crismel espero que este bien cuidate mucho te estraño mi niña Hermosa te amo espero que lo este pasando bien de tu papi cristino bendisiones para todos fe noches