Sophomore Year- Costa RicaFor our Sophomore year trip, our class embarked to Costa Rica to conduct volunteerism with Universidad EARTH, learn about the indigenous BriBri culture as well as visit Doka coffee plantation.
Trip Highlights: Universidad EARTH, Finca family, Doka Coffee Plantation Trip Theme: Waste management, environmentalism, and sustainable living The trip to Costa Rica was a trip of many firsts for me; my first time on a plane, my first tim out of the country, and my first time shoveling pig gunk. The trip was amazingly fun, and probably the most AGS-esque a trip can get. Though everyone had to endure rainy, humid weather, the country's landscape was beautiful. The lush forests, sprawling plantations, and in-your-face wild life was very impressionable. I highly recommend going on this trip, because you are cast away into a tropical hotspot for colonialism, environmentalism, and cultural convergence. The BriBri interactions, to practicing your Spanish, to completing some messy chores at EARTH made the trip really worth while. The food was delicious and just as colorful as the surrounding forests. Not a single dull moment passed during this trip, because it is jam-packed with dozens of fun activities to do. Even the rain bus rides were fun, as this was down time to play games, make new friends, or reflect on your time in Costa Rica. The trip may seem touristy, but it effectively ties in to what you are learning back in Austin. I would love to go back on this trip, because it provides the most novel experiences and exciting attractions. On the educational side, you begin to realize we're doing it all wrong back in America. At EARTH university, they have a very impressive waste management system and intuitive gardening structures and methods , both in which could be useful to Austin High and Austin. You can take a lot away from this trip if you truly immerse yourself, and listen to the various speakers throughout the trip.
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