Over Winter Break, a group of Lake Highland AP Human Geography and AP Environmental Science students embarked on a week-long field trip to Costa Rica to explore the unique environment and culture that the happiest country in the world has to offer. Mr. Andrew Prazeres and Mrs. Gloria Boisvert spent seven months prior to the start of school planning and organizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for their students with Education First, an international education company that specializes in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. Mr. Prazeres explains, “This adventure was not just about exploring the lush landscapes of Costa Rica through activities such as whitewater rafting, ziplining, and kayaking; it was a deep dive into a reality far removed from their own.”
A highlight for many students was engaging in a service project at Escuela La Guaria, a local kindergarten through sixth-grade school in the rural Arenal region of Costa Rica. It is named after Costa Rica’s national flower: Guaria Morada. Mr. Prazeres said, “Students encountered firsthand the stark contrasts and challenges faced by communities, sparking a profound reflection on their own lives.” The experience prompted students to reflect deeply, with many acknowledging just how privileged they are and learning that, “Happiness doesn’t require material abundance,” as noted by Mr. Prazeres. As they engaged in activities designed to explore both the world and themselves, students came out of the trip with a whole new perspective. As much as this immersive field trip provided a unique opportunity to bridge classroom learning with real-world experiences, building raw, human connections with the kids at Escuela La Guaria is what the students will remember forever. Sharing a collective desire to make a difference and take action, a group of students and chaperones came together after the trip to organize and plan ways to make this an ongoing service project. Be on the lookout for ways that you can contribute to this important cause!
