between the beach and the rainforest

"With the establishment of ManuelAntonio National Park in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country's smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is unequaled.

Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. This beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. And the trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants.

Visiting the park, one is treated to an abundant diversity of wildlife. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio.
The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other.

Standing with your feet dug into the sand and watching the wave crash against the rocks on either side of the lagoon, it is easy to believe that you are a thousand miles from anywhere."


"Costa Rica Manuel Antonio National Park and Beaches." Manuel Antonio Park info center. 27 Mar 2009 .

Griffin posts a blog!

Griffin Sumrock

The thing that I am most excited about the Costa Rica trip is the experience. I know that this is a very good way for me to travel the world and experiece other cultures. The trip is becoming more of a reality as time passes and the trip comes closer. The trip is beginning to set in and as each day passes I get more excited and nervous. Nervous in a good way because I'm excited about going to a new country and experiencing a new way of life.

Bye Bye Miss Arenth =:(

Oliver Laniear

Its now coming down to the end of Costa Rica class. It's time for us to get ready to use what we learned in class and put to use in Costa Rica.

I think this class helped me alot because I remeber being young not even knowing there was a Central America, but now after these three months I learned alot about Costa Rica and their culture... maybe not there language so much to say im only in Spanish one and wont be able to understand what they are saying to me outside of some vocabulary and what my name (lol), but I will try my best!

Also I enjoyed meeting alot new people, mainly the 12th graders that were in my class, and I feel comfortable now going out the country with them. The thing I like about the class most is the class allows you to interact and get to know each other and their culture there by doing various activities and working together with people on most projects. So I wish us the best luck down there and finishing up these interview questions in the next 6 classes!

It's Eric Feher!

Eric Feher

So we only have 7 days of school left, and only 5 days of Costa Rica class! I am getting very excited about the trip, but at the same time pretty nervous. I have flown before, but never out of the country. Also, this is going to be the farthest and longest I have ever been away from home. I still not entirely sure what to expect in Costa Rica, but I think we are adequately prepared. The interview on Thursday went well and I am excited to interview Epsy Campbell. Well here’s to a good trip and memories of a lifetime!

Don't worry - I got dramamine!

Desiree Niccoli

I've never been on an airplane before but I'm not too nervous about it. All I'm concerned about is turbulence and motion sickness. Long car trips make me sick so there is a possibility that plane trips will as well. But no need to worry guys, I got Dramamine!

My passport has arrived!

Julia Johnson

My passport has arrived! On Thursday we interviewed Brent Rondon, the International Programs manager at Duquesne University. He was very insightful and gave us a lot of tips about what to expect in a Latin American culture. In the small amount of time he was able to meet with us, he gave me a completely new perspective of what the resonating effects of colonialism are in Latin America and the impact of capitalism in various cultures. I’m really excited to meet Epsy Campbell and Manuel Obregon now, and I hope our interviews go just as well as this one did.

Peace ~ Julia~

Val's First Blog

Valerie Lofink

On Thursday, we went on an interview with Brent Rondon and I felt like it was very successful. It was a great start to the interviews we are going to be doing while we're in Costa Rica with Epsy Campbell and other Costa Ricans.

I thought the interview went well, except that while Rondon was answering questions, and I thought of even more questions to ask, but time was a restriction so we weren't able to get as in depth as I think we could have. Either way, we were able to practice and see what the other interviews are going to be like in Costa Rica.

Hope all goes as well as it did on Thursday!

Valerie Lofink

tajah.russell.needs.his.passport.

Tajah Russell

I am scared that I won’t get my passport in time. I just was thinking what if it doesn’t come? Besides the fear of my passport status, I have been packing clothes and other things in my suitcase and going shopping for the type of clothes that we need.

This is going to be my first time I'm ever going out of the country. I rode a plane before but I was only two so I don’t remember it.

I am excited but if I don’t get my passport TAJAH JERRELL STOKES-RUSSELL WONT BE GOING NO WHERE!!!


- Tajah Jerrell Stokes-Russell

New and Exciting Blog Post About Interview Preparations

Callan Kerley

Our class interviewed Brent Rondon, former president of Latin American Cultural Union, to learn more about the economy in Latin America and also how to prepare for a professional interview.

During our interview Mr. Rondon also compared the two cultures; which I found very interesting. He talked about how in Latin America people are more friendly and very interested in who are in a person rather than in the U.S. we make it very clear on you have your space and I have my space. He talked about how Latin America functions on a community, but in the U.S. you have to be independent.

I agree with him to an extent because sometimes you need to function as a community and help your community since you all make up that country.


- Callan

Less than a month to go...

Julia Johnson

So today I’m a little nervous, because the trip is less than a month away and my passport isn’t here yet. I haven’t practiced my Spanish since last year, and I still can’t say “Where is the hotel?” I’m still excited though, and I can’t wait to start talking with my pen pal. It still hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m going, but I’m sure a hot gust of wind when I arrive off the plane will wake me up.
- Julia

Never Before & Where I'm Going

Jamaal Davis

So....

1. I've never had a passport.
2. I've never ever been on an airplane.
3. I've never been outside of the country.
4. I've never traveled with 22 people I don't know.
5. I've never spend this much of my own money on anything. I had to get a job to do this! I don't even have a phone right now because of this trip!

The reason why I'm working so hard to go and do this is because it will be the oppurtunity of a lifetime. Later after college, I'd like to join the Peace Corps and travel to other countries. I think this trip will be a good stepping stone to see if I do really want to do these things abroad. It will be a good test for me.


- Jamaal

Something we might see in Costa Rica!!!

Little Tico for 12 days!

The furthest I have ever been from home is when I went to Florida. I prepared for this trip to Costa Rica by getting my mind set to know that I can do all the work we are going to do! The hike really helped for the walking part. I never thought I could walk 6.5 miles in one day, but this fall we, the Costa Rica Class, hiked and camped in Ohio Pyle.

I'm mentally preparing because I know I can do it. I'm preparing myself to eat beans for 13 days, even though I hate BEANS... all types of beans! When I eat chili at home, I take all the beans OUT! But I know that eating beans in Costa Rica is part of their culture and I'm ready to experience their CULTURE.

I am intellecually getting prepared by learning about their legacy and culture in Costa Rica, finding out how they live, and what things will change about me while I'm down there.

I'm socially getting ready by getting to know people and forming better friendships with the only people I'm going to know in a country!

What I am scared of most mentally is the plane ride, and the food. Also socially by someone getting on my nerves how am I going to react there.

I am really looking forward to visiting the school with the kids and sleeping in the rain forest and again eating their food which I never had for the most part.

Oliver Laniear

Preparing for the Destination

Dominique Dutrieuille 17,

1. The farthest I have ever been away from my home was this past summer I went to Arizona while my mom stayed here in Pittsburgh. I prepared for this trip by picking out what clothes I was going to wear and I had to find a suitcase that would fit all of my clothes, because I was gone for a whole month. I made sure I knew all of my flight information what terminal to go to and what the plane number was. I made sure I knew the address of my aunt whom I was staying with in Az. As far as mentally preparing, there wasn’t anything to do because all of the physical things I did helped me to prepare mentally, making sure I know what I’m going to do before I do it is how I get ready!

2. How I am preparing for this trip is by asking a lot of questions concerning the trip making sure that I know as much as possible about what I’m going to do and what is expected of me. Also I’m preparing by making sure I have all of the clothes and personal items needed, making sure I have the right sized suitcase. Another way to get ready for this trip is to know who I’m going with, getting to know the people around me that I’m going to spend this time in Costa Rica with.


3. What I am looking forward to the most is the tremendous difference in culture that’s what I’m really excited about to see how another culture lives and just how different it is from our own.

I'm going to see a VOLCANO!

1. Without my family, the furthest that I have traveled was North Carolina. I went with my best friend and her family. I didn't really prepare anything, I just kind of packed my bag and went. But I didn't face any difficulties or challenges either, although the food was kind of a problem. Her family loves seafood so we mainly went to those kinds of restaurants and I really wasn't a fan so I ate salad all the time.

2. Well, I'm shopping for everything that I need and don't already have, like a poncho, watershoes, water bottle, etc. But other than that, I think I'm pretty prepared.

3. The only thing that I am actually afraid of is the plane ride there and back. I really don't like those.

4. I am most looking forward to seeing the volcano and walking across that scary bridge. But I think I'll also enjoy meeting the people of Costa Rica and helping them out in whatever we're doing, because I know they'll probably really appreciate us being there.

Megan Schillinger

An Experience of a Lifetime

The farthest I’ve been from home is North Carolina for a month for Student Conservation Association. I had a hard time the first week but I got use to being away from home and when we had to leave it was hard. Actually going to North Carolina was the first time I was on a plane and I was all alone so it was scary. I think the worst part of being away from home was the only contact I could have with my family was letters and the first letter took so long to come and I missed them so much.

I am trying to prepare for Costa Rica by getting to know my classmates and learning about Costa Rica but I am scared that with no one knowing Spanish really well we will have a hard time communicating with the Costa Ricans. I really want to see everything and learn everything about them but it will be hard not knowing Spanish. But I look forward to the once in a lifetime experience that I will share with my classmates. I’m very excited and can’t wait to go and see a different part of the world.

Carly Silvio

I'm Estatic

The farthest I've been away from home was for two weeks at Allegheny National Forest. It was for a SCA service project and I stayed with ten other people. We lived in tents for two weeks and also lived like cave men because we had to go to bathroom outside and the only thing we had to cook our food on was a gas tank and portable stove.

When I think of leaving for Costa Rica I think that if I was able to survive that then I can definately survive this since we will have shelter and food provided for us. I am a little scared for bugs and heights, its a phobia I've always had. I am also scared and excited of not knowing what to expect once we arrive there. I'm really looking forward to experiencing something new and a new culture.

Callan Kerley-Bagshaw

Getting Ready!

March 6th, 2009

To be honest, I'm not very nervous about traveling out of the country and being far away from home. The furthest I've ever been from my parents was when I went to visit my aunt in New Jersey for a week. I will not deny the fact that I was a little homesick but it wasn't unbearable. I think it'll be the same for this trip. I'm confident that I'll have a lot of fun because I get along really well with everyone else going on the trip. The only thing I'm worried about is speaking Spanish and meeting my Costa Rican pen pal (if we ever get them).

I'm planning on looking over my Spanish notes to familiarize myself with the language. Other than that, there really isn't anything I can do to prepare myself for this trip besides packing. What I'm looking forward to the most on this trip is playing soccer with the Costa Ricans!

Desiree Niccoli