for there to be such a diversity in what you are seeing , means there is a different , yet equally stunning view in every direction you look .

Preservation of this density of biodiversity is a top priority for Costa Rica . For example , if you purchase land and there are trees on the property , it is illegal to remove any of them . For the health and protection of these species , and because so much of the country ’ s revenue comes from tourism , taking care of the abundance of life in the country is taken very seriously . We were given ways to take care of the world back home , and were encouraged to share what we know and to encourage others to pay attention and take steps to nurture our own share of the world ’ s biodiversity .

Costa Rica is one of the Explorica program ' s most popular tours , so we weren ' t the only high school students in the area . In the two days we spent in Jaco , we were able to dine alongside and spend our nights with another group from Chicago who also were participating in a tour . We were able to share stories of not only our trips thus far , but learn about each other and make new friends , even if only temporarily . Even when our day was technically over , it meant that everyone in our group still had the opportunity for new experiences and to meet new people .

Due to scheduling issues that accompany many tours , our next day was rearranged to be very busy . Our first stop was another national park . Once cited as one of the top 12 most beautiful parks in the world by Forbes , Manuel Antonio National Park was a highlight of the trip . One of the few beaches you can safely swim in throughout Costa Rica , Manuel Antonio lies another hour south of Jaco . Due to the tendency of the local white-faced capuchin monkeys to pry for food and steal from humans , food is no longer allowed inside the park , so we were all subjected to bag searches ( where I had to part with a forgotten pack of gummy bears ).

The beach is in a secluded area a small hike from the entrance , and it was truly breathtaking . Part of what makes the beach so beautiful is the stark contrast of the dense forest meeting the sandy shores along the Pacific Ocean . We spent the better part of the morning swimming before going to grab coffee ( another Costa Rican staple ) and lunch .

From Manuel Antonio , we went to a local school to deliver supplies we ' d bought for the kids who go there . It was Friday afternoon , and the students , approximately 10-13 years old , were supposed to have a shortened day , but they ' d heard we were coming and many of them chose to stay and wait for us . After introductions and handing off the supplies , we were able to stay for a while and play games with the students .

We started with a game where we held hands and walked in circles and loops until we were tangled together . Then the challenge was to untangle ourselves without breaking the chain . Already a difficult task , there was also the fact that we spoke little of the same language . We had to work together to use whatever we knew as well as other means of communication to untangle again , and as a French student with even less knowledge of Spanish than everyone else , I was especially nervous . After we ’ d completed the challenge , the teachers of the school as well as our tour guide spoke of teamwork and togetherness . It was a lesson and connecting and working together despite barriers and complications in order to solve larger issues .

Even with these barriers , there was something we definitely had in common : a love of kickball . We spent the next half an hour running around the school playground . Many of the students on the trip brought up the feeling of “ feeling like a kid again .” Hardly any of us had played kickball since elementary school and it was wonderful to find ourselves in a childhood happiness we had almost

forgotten , playing alongside kids we had just met .

On the last night of the trip , we took a ride to the top of the mountains . We had dinner at a restaurant that overlooked San José . From the overlook , we could see everything lit up all the way down the mountains , and it was one of the most stunning views I ’ ve ever seen . We had our last dinner of the trip , and a captivating show of traditional music and dancing . Afterwards , we stood around the fire talking and being taught to dance by our friends . It was one of those moments in life that felt surreal . Looking back on it , it ’ s more like watching a scene from a movie than a memory , and that ’ s how I know it ’ s one of my best .

As Ceidy Sandi and Felix dropped us off at the airport on the last morning , they left us with some parting words . Ceidy Sandi spoke of our vibrations . With a selfproclaimed knack for being able to read the vibrations of the groups she led , she told us that ours were high and beautiful - that we had good energy and good souls . In a country known for its heavy , daily rain , we ’ d had clear skies every day we were there . It was an emotional parting as we hugged and took pictures with Ceidy Sandi and Felix before we walked into the airport for what would end up being a long travel day back to Pittsburgh .

We spoke of the trip for weeks , talking about how much we loved it and how much we wanted to go back . It was an incredible opportunity , and I ’ ll always hold close the memories , pictures and souvenirs I took from it .

The next TJ international trip is likely in 2024 , and I ’ d encourage any student thinking about participating to start saving their money and take the adventure . It truly was one of the greatest experiences of my life .

Camryn Dailey is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School .

WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS — THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL

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