From March 14 to last Saturday, FHS students found themselves relaxing in the sum among birds, giant turtles and fish. However, the seven students who went to Costa Rica for Biomes and Barrios were also kept busy with activities like hikes and snorkeling. “I really miss just relaxing,” said junior Chelsea Burns after returning from the trip. “Here (in the U.S.) we are so organized and have schedules of what we have to do; there it didn’t matter.” In order to sign up for Biomes and Barrios, students are required to take at least one year of Spanish, just enough so that they can communicate in Spanish-speaking countries. Some students found they were able to understand more than they had expected. “I have only taken a year of Spanish,” said junior Chris Burtch. “But, I could understand quite a bit of what they were saying, especially the younger sister of my host family.” Upon arrival in Costa Rica, students met their host families and attended school with their counterparts for two days. “That (school) was pretty cool,” said senior Aaron Ober. “I was able to understand quite a bit.” Students all had a great time, but each one remembers a different experience as their favorite. Burtch, who collects lizards, relished a close encounter with a leatherback turtle. “There were just three of us out there that night,” said Burtch. “Then we saw this huge thing come out of the ocean. We watched it lay it’s eggs and then it went back to the ocean and disappeared.” During the trip, students were provided with two guides. With the help of they guides students were led on hikes through the national park Tortuguero and through the rainforest and they went snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean. “I was really scared to go snorkeling at first,” said junior Angela Cox. “I had never gone before, but then I saw a lot of really cool fish.” Students also noticed big differences in the cultures. In Costa Rica students found that people seemed a lot more hospitable than expected. In Costa Rica, people often kiss their friends when they see them, even if they don’t know them very well. “People were really friendly there,” said senior Zac Furse. “They would constantly ask if were okay and if we needed anything.” Food in Costa Rica was a shock for some students but many enjoyed it. Much of what Costa Ricans eat is a combination of rice and beans, but there are also a lot of fruits unavailable in Montana. “I won’t be eating rice and beans for a long time now,” said Cox. “I was really ready for a cheeseburger by the time we left.” In Montana students may lack entertainment in the evening but in Costa Rica they found themselves able to go to discotheques twice while they were there. “The discos were really fun, but they dance differently than us,” said junior Cindy Christinsen. “I think if they were doing it here a lot of people would just think they were really perverted, but that’s not it.” Students said the trip was a success and they had a great time, and learned more about Costa Rica biologically and culturally than they had expected. “I really suggest that people go, because you learn a lot just being there,” said Natasha Prvette. “But, when you take Biomes and Barrios first it makes it even better because it’s exciting when you see an animal and can identify it.” |
