Bellarmine Preparatory students feeling close to the environment in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

Coming to Puerto Jimenez many of us had no expectations of what it would be like, but I think it is safe to say for all of us that being a part of the community here is a once in a lifetime experience. Moments when we were all laughing and having a good time with the locals really highlighted the trip as incredibly special and life changing.

Each morning we were woken by our teachers that attended this trip with us, then we ate a breakfast, made by ladies from the community whom we are incredibly grateful for. Getting ready for work each morning was tough as we generally started at 6am and worked until 5-5:30pm with breaks of course. We all started the days tired but were uplifted by the eagerness to finish the court in time for opening day. The locals we worked with were some of the hardest working people any of us have ever seen, working alongside us almost constantly. Staying hydrated and covered from the scorching sun was of utmost importance. We worked in three groups all making sure everyone stayed healthy and took breaks and we had fillers, loaders, and wheelbarrows. Each group worked incredibly hard each day and we should all be extremely proud of ourselves. Shoveling gravel and rock, lifting 45 pound buckets, and hauling concrete to site proved to be a difficult challenge for us, but nothing we couldn't do with all of the dedication, perseverance, and help from the community. 

After working, Courts for Kids always had something fun planned for us like boating, attending church, dancing, playing sports, surprise birthday parties, beach trips, etc and we always ended with a heartfelt reflection. Everyday we had so much fun with the community doing these activities, even if it felt like it was 200 degrees outside. The community was always happy to join us and were so welcoming to us which we all appreciate to the fullest extent. We of course struggled with some things culturally that were different from home, like beans and rice everyday, sorting trash, eating everything on your plate, and more. At the end of the day however, everything new we experience leads to our personal growth. This trip, whether we realize it or not, has changed us for the better, despite our bites, bruises, and burns.

Our last day here felt so surreal as we attended the opening ceremony and were met with words of gratitude from the community. We played volleyball, chungi, and more on the court with the locals before heading back. We then played volleyball at the local high school till late and shared our sentimental goodbyes with some of the great friends we had made in the community.

This community and experience will stay with us for the rest of our lives and we appreciate the things this trip has taught us. The Bellarmine community is so grateful for the privilege to come here and make a difference. -Piper Russ

My favorite memory from this trip was on thursday when we finished our court. We danced and were full filled with good spirits and lots of smiles, we ran to the beach and went swimming in the pouring rain to celebrate with all our new friends. Finishing the court to then celebrating made me feel so complete, and happy that I was able to experience this with so many amazing new friends. ~ Lily Tackett

My first favorite would be working and having fun with the locals Lilee, Andres, Emmanuel, and Daniel. Even with the language barrier, every single one of us felt a true connection and common unity with them. They aided and included us as much as we aided and included them, which is something I’ll never forget.  ~ Ogechi Nkem

This may be the place I’ve been to where I’ve been put in such close contact to the results of our consumer +energy use choices on the environment . ~ Joe Miller

I learned about the world that there is way more to it besides where we live. I feel at home I live in a bubble and forget the beauty around me but coming here has made me realize the world is a beautiful place and to look around me more and appreciate the world even at home. ~ Ava Hentschell

Not only will I miss the sun, heat, beach, palm trees, etc. I will also miss the lack of focus on material stuff that never fails to drain the life right out of me and everyone else (pretty much). I know that the moment I arrive, I will lose a little sense of Kiley which really sucks. But I am so grateful that Costa Rica has brought much of me back that I haven’t seen in months. ~ Kiley Hentschell

What I learned from this community is not wasting and taking care of the planet. This town is so connected as one and has become such a safe space in my heart. Everyone takes care of one another, even the planet. It makes me more self aware of what I’m doing and how it could affect the planet. Everyone is so connected and loving. I made new friends and got to know the language more, being away and off our phones you get to genuinely learn and grow. ~ Ila Erickson

Something that I understand more clearly now is the value of life. These people do not have millions of dollars or expensive possessions, but they have extreme amounts of joy, happiness and Love. These people are some of the nicest and loving people I have met. ~ Logan Shaw

While spending time with the community I learned it is important to always help others. When we were working on the court and when we needed an extra hand, one of the locals was always there to help. No matter what they were doing. This taught me the importance of helping others and the value it holds. ~ Stella Mores

What I learned from the community is that hard work builds friendships and hardships build a community. We could have just sent money for a cement truck and they could’ve finished the court in one day, but building it with our own hands with the community seemed to build relationships. It was really special as well to make new friends in the community even through the language barrier and this taught me that even if you don’t speak a language it doesn't mean you can't be friends. ~ Elliot Stevenson

From this experience I now further understand the effects of tourism on this community. A known positive is that it is very profitable and with the largest profitable resources to the community. A negative to this however is that tourists don’t recycle as often and can be very wasteful of resources. Another negative effect is that tourists dont treat the locals with respect and often look down upon them. ~ Olin Mcghee

I know I will take so much from this trip back with me to the USA. The way I have lived this week has influenced me so much and helps me realize how much more I can do to help save the world. Even just trying to use less plastic, like buying drinks at the store was normal for me, but now I am learning to use less plastic and try to reuse as much as possible. Overall this experience has helped me so much grow into a better stronger person in just one week. ~ Isaac Halm

What I understand more clearly now after this trip is how important the environment is. I never thought about how much plastic we waste, until I had to worry about it. In the USA we never, mostly never think twice when se throw stuff away. This trip really opened my eyes to how important it is to help the environment, and how much of an impact we all individually make. ~ Gage Lientz

The most difficult part of going home is leaving the community, nature, food, activities and pretty much everything. I’m gonna miss every little memory here that Costa Rica brought us. Coming here really changed the way I see things and to look at life more happy and just smile at life and nature. Costa Rica will always hold a strong memory in my brain forever. Pura Vida. ~ Dawson Porwn

This trip changed me in realizing the impact that we have on the world, and that we don't need all the creature comforts we feel we can't live without. In seeing how much the people here care about there common home, wildlife and community it makes me want to do better for what we have back home. ~ Jake Gebauer

The most difficult part of going home is knowing I wont experience the weather, the people, and the bonds being made in a long time. Along with knowing I’ll miss the sun even though its really hot im going to miss it. ~ Saeyoung Solan

The community showed us the values of genuine kindness, the love language of meals and food preparation, the respect for this beautiful ecosystem, the value of family, using what we need, the gift of a clean environment, laughter, celebrations, and community. ~ Kristen Gormley

All of these memories have given me glimpses of new culture, have helped me build new relationships, have shown me what true happiness is and joy, and have opened my eyes to this beautiful place called Costa Rica. ~ Ella Solan