My adventure is coming to an end...

The seeds we collected to plant

Leaving our mark...

      This week has gone by so fast! We visited a coffee plantation and planted trees to aide in reforestation. It's neat to think about the fact that years from now, our little trees will be standing tall and we will have left a piece of ourselves in Costa Rica. The owner of the plantation stressed the importance of education in Costa Rica. This was great to hear for my research project. Also, after visiting the Cloud Forest school I learned a lot about how the Ticos (people of Costa Rica) view education. It seems to be extremely important to everyone. I am excited to get back all of my survey questions. I have also seen many things in the schools and the community that I would like to bring to my own classrooms to promote environmental education.



  
  I can't believe my trip is coming to an end! This has been such a great experience. Yesterday we had the opportunity to zip line of above the top of the cloud forest. It was an amazing experience! After that, I feel like I can do anything!

Our view from above the trees: The top of the Arenal Volcano

     Even though I have only been here for three weeks, my Spanish has really improved. Since I am immersed in the the culture here, in the schools, community, and homes, I am able to apply the things I've been learning. I can communicate with my family and the locals much better now! I wish someone could have heard me speaking Spanish in the pharmacy yesterday. I was able to ask questions and understand the answers. I was so proud of myself!

     After all I've seen and done here, I am going to miss my family here in Monteverde the most. They have been absolutely wonderful! They welcomed me right away and immediately felt like my own family. Over the past two weeks I have noticed so many similarities between their family and my own. My Mama Tica has been learning English so we've been helping each other with our languages. I have learned so much from them. I also love the fact that my 11 year old hermana tica (sister) has been helping me with my Spanish homework! Everything here has been wonderful and I almost don't want to leave...