Program Manager Midterm Reflection
Hello Parents, Families, Friends and Potential Future GSA Students!
We have officially just passed the midway point of our adventure, and what an incredible journey it has been so far! Our group of 37 students and 5 staff arrived July 1st in the bright, beautiful sunshine of Playas del Coco, where the tropical heat quickly made itself known. We wasted no time diving into our routine, balancing productive class sessions by the pool with plenty of refreshing beach time during our breaks. The energy has been sky-high as we soared above the treetops on an exhilarating ziplining tour, sampled and discovered some delicious new Costa Rican candies at the local supermarket, and some of us even hit the waves to learn new surf moves and how to hang ten!
From the coast, we headed up into the mountains of Monteverde, where we were all glad we remembered to pack our rain gear, long sleeves, and pants. The cooler climate was perfect for exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where we got an up-close look at the stunning plant life and fascinating insects that call this ecosystem home. A definite highlight was a night hike we won’t soon forget, where one of our groups was lucky enough to catch a rare sighting of a sloth nestled high up in the canopy. We then made our way to La Fortuna, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the famous Arenal Volcano. After resting and rejuvenating in the local hot springs, we braved a very wet walk up the volcano, only to return to our hotel and be completely redeemed by the most glorious afternoon views of Arenal standing clear and proud. The Costa Rican sunsets here truly are something to write home about.
Now, we are back at Hotel Colono Beach, and it almost feels like coming home. It is wonderful to wrap up our adventure where we first began as we head into our final 11 days together. Throughout all of these transitions, our program staff has been continuously proud of the life skills we are seeing these students develop day by day. Watching them build their communication, responsibility, and self-regulation has been immensely rewarding. They are truly adopting the mindset of global citizens by not just traveling to a destination, but genuinely immersing themselves in new cultures, local environments, and traditions.
We want to extend a huge thank you to all of you for your trust and support in making this incredible program a reality for your children. As teachers, we absolutely love being a part of experiential programs like this; getting to watch your children step out of their comfort zones and grow into independent, thoughtful young adults first-hand is an absolute privilege.
As we look ahead, we are focused on finishing this program incredibly strong. We will continue to work closely together to stay safe, stay healthy, and cherish every single moment of the days remaining by making good choices. Opportunities like this are rare and are meant to be celebrated. We look forward to seeing you all at the airport on July 25th, but until then, Pura Vida!
Your Costa Rica July 2026 Program Staff
Cait, Dave, Alison, Natalie & Braden
