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Pedro Serech Sen, an artist from Canal 13 in Costa Rica came to visit the students of Everett at CPI on Tuesday. He is an excellent artist and shared his opinion about art as well as showed us some of his work.
The students visted today a impoverished suburb of San Jose called La Carpio. There they worked beside the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, which is a non-profit organization committed to developing creative and economical solutions to a wide range of social problems in Costa Rica.
They were recieved by the founder Gail and they learned about the history of La Carpio and how the organization started.
They were able to play with the children of the day care this foundation runs so the mothers of the community can be able to work.
Other students helped create a poster to incite reading.
One of the students went hands on and volunteered to paint a wooden chair with bright colors for the day care.
The children and woman from the foundation performed a small play based on the life of one of the Nicaraguan woman they have helped.
As a token of their appreciation the group was given a handmade beaded angel by the children and woman of the foundation. In the words of Gail, the founder of the organization, ” Our volunteers are like angels to us.”
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This week the students of Ashbrook Independent School are living and learning in the town of San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia.
On Sunday they visited La Paz Waterfall Gardens and on Monday arrived to CPI Heredia ready to jump into Español and start studying!
During break students enjoyed playing soccer on the field at CPI Heredia…tonight they are excited to watch the Costa Rica v. Panama game with thier homestay families, an authentic Tico experience!
St. Mark’s has been having the time of their life in Heredia! 
This beautiful group of kids, and professor, have been really enjoying themselves learning about the history of Costa Rica, coffee, and the people. Qué bonita la experiencia!
The kids are wrapping up their first week in Costa Rica has been a blast. We’re gonna conclude the adventures in Monteverde Cloud Forest! Stay tuned for more!
The group from Everett arrived in Costa Rica on Saturday and on Sunday took a tour of the city of Heredia and the coffee plantation of Cafe Britt.
Today, we had latin cooking class at CPI! All the students made Picadillo de papa and ate what they cooked afterwards.
CPI welcomes the Fullbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad hosted by Michigan State University!
This group of educators that were selected from all over the country will be spending one week at each CPI campus while meeting with government officials, exploring the Costa Rican culture, and seeking to include the United Nations 8 Millennium Development Goals into each of their educational curriculums.
The 8 Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations are
- Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieving universal primary education
- Promoting gender equality and empowering women
- Reducing child mortality rates
- Improving maternal health
- Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- Ensuring environmental sustainability
- Developing a global partnership for development.
They are learning more about these goals through a meeting with the first woman President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla (!!!!!!!!!!-no big deal), learning about environmental sustainability, women’s rights, education, and of course- taking classes at CPI!
After the group’s arrival to CPI yesterday, we immediately started with exams, interviews, and some Spanish games! After a stellar lunch at the San Joaquin favorite hotspot, Supersnacks, the group took a walk about San Joaquin, and went home to meet their familia Ticas! Afterwards, some went to experience a Catholic mass at La Iglesia de San Joaquin. Needless to say, this group has an adventure-packed trip ahead of them!
playing games on Day 1!!!
PURA VIDA!!!
Arkansas State University students enjoyed a gorgeous weekend away at Arenal Springs. En route, they also passed through the towns of Grecia and Sarchí. During their tour in the Fábrica de Carretas (Oxcart Factory) they were able to see some authentic artisan creations. They also had a chance to shop around through the gift shop to find something unique for their friends and family members.
Right near Volcán Arenal, the students had the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs nearby. They also enjoyed the luxurious pool installations, sushi bar, and relaxing atmosphere. As they reach the halfway point in the trip, it was a nice break from class and the bustle of the city in Heredia.
Now, the students transition into their next two weeks in Monteverde. This area contains the infamous Monteverde Cloud Forest, which the students will have plenty of time to explore. It is a much more rural area of the country, which includes the tourist-filled town called Santa Elena. They had a tour of the town earlier today and were able to survey the food, souvenir shops, and much more. ¡Que divertido! More to come as the adventure in Monteverde continues! Stay tuned!
Arkansas State University students’ second week comes to a close after a long week of classes, tours, service work, and more. One of the many highlights of their fun-filled week includes the Café Britt tour! The students learned all about the process that brings the coffee from seed to roasting to packaging to their very homes. Amidst the exciting dialogue, the students learned all about the history of coffee and all the different types from the many different regions of Costa Rica. Don’t worry, it wasn’t ALL educational: there were plenty of taste tests along the way to add to the fun!
This weekend, the students head off to Arenal Springs to enjoy the beautiful resort, a view of the volcano, and some rest and relaxation. They will start next week fresh in Monteverde with new families, new professors, and their same great positive attitudes. ¡Pura Vida!
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It’s been a very busy week for the TAMU & Oklahoma group. They have gone from the mountains of Monteverde to the beach in Manuel Antonio and are now in the city of Heredia. They are heading this weekend to the caribbean coast of Limon, Costa Rica. The group is having a blast!!!!
They spent a wonderful weekend in Manuel Antonio, which has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
A nice morning walk around San Joaquin, Heredia.
On a public bus ride to get to Heredia Center.
Movie night at Paseo de las Flores mall. The group saw The Great Gatsby in 3D!
During the week the students created activities so they could give a small lesson at the Calle Hernandez school. At recess they played a friendly soccor games with the kids.
Helping make “arroz con pollo” during cooking class. YUMMY!
MORE FUN TO COME THIS WEEKEND IN LIMON!
¡PURA VIDA!
The Emporia group is enjoying the sun, surf, and Spanish of Flamingo! In the morning, these chicas spend their time immersing themselves in the Spanish language, and in the afternoon, enjoying the best of the Playa Flamingo area.
For the past few days, this has meant enjoying the gifts Mother Nature has provided for us! The beaches of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica provide everything any beach lover could want, from the big waves of the Nicoya Peninsula to the smooth sands of Playa Penca to the shell-covered Conchal. We have spent the past few days enjoying Flamingo and Conchal. Check out how beautiful this lugar is!
Such models, verdad?!
Tomorrow, the Emporia group will spend the day in Tamarindo- a popular tourist town for a good reason- it is BEAUTIFUL. This group really is soaking up these last days they’re spending in Costa Rica.
Pura Vida, siempre.