By Jessica Miller
Staff Writer
Not everyone is lucky enough to travel the world, but Costa’s large variety of school trip options gives students the chance to delve into life’s adventures at a young age.
The Costa Rica trip over spring break in 2015 is an opportunity for students to learn about a different culture. Spanish teacher Nancy Geczi went on the same trip last year and is the coordinator for next year’s trip.
“The Costa Rica trip gives kids an opportunity to use the Spanish that they’ve learned and to have fun while doing it,” Geczi said.
She was accompanied on the trip with teachers Adam Geczi, Annie Choi, and Feliz Shapiro. The teachers going on the trip next year have yet to be decided.
“I want to go to Costa Rica because it seems very interesting and I’ve never been out of the country before. It is gorgeous and I love the tropical weather there,” junior Justin Frankel said.
The trip consists of many activities in several cities in Costa Rica. Students will first arrive in San Jose and visit the Arenal region of Costa Rica, containing an active volcano called Alajuela and hot springs. Students will also go kayaking in Lake Arenal and hike to La Fortuna Waterfall, getting an up close look into the lives of tarantulas, frogs and bees in the protected wildlife regions.
“I hope the students will learn and appreciate the wonderful and beautiful Costa Rican culture,” Geczi said. “Last year, we also went to a spa in Arenal which was really awesome.”
The trip will then take the students to the city of Monteverde where they will explore the Santa Elena Cloud Forest and have the privilege of planting trees in the Education First reserve. Students will get the chance to go horseback riding and ziplining through the forest as well.
“There’s nothing I disliked about Costa Rica,” Choi said. “Hanging out with monkeys at breakfast and exploring the rainforest was such a different and amazing environment to experience, and it is so enriched with culture.”
The forest in Monteverde contains a wide range of organisms in six different ecological zones. In this city, students will also go to a local school where they will be welcomed with traditional dances given by the elementary school students. Students can interact and practice their spanish with the local students.
“Last year, visiting the local school was the highlight of many students’ trips. They really loved being able to use the Spanish they’ve learned and see the Costa Rican culture up front,“ Geczi said.
Additionally, the trip takes students to the city of Carara along the Central Pacific Coast where they will explore the rainforest and beaches. They will also visit the Manuel Antonio National Park.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the beautiful beaches and going hiking in Costa Rica,” Frankel said.
Students can still sign up for the Costa Rica trip and if they sign up this year, they can get up to a $200 discount. Geczi hopes to give kids the opportunity to learn about the culture, enjoy the scenery, and explore on the trip.
“The trip is almost identical to last year’s. It is an easy 5 to 6 hour flight directly to San Jose with only an one hour time zone change,” Geczi said.
Leave a Reply