Mid-Term Reflections from the Program Manager
Throughout the many blog posts and pictures that have appeared on Instagram for our program, the staff have tried to capture how it feels to be on this program with your children. We are now past the halfway point and I would like to try and sum up in a few short paragraphs the 3 themes of opportunity, community and responsibility that can be used to sum up our experiences thus far.
It is safe to say that everyone has been given an incredible opportunity to visit three distinctive climatic regions of Costa Rica during this program. Everyone has experienced Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems, learning about its people, traditions, communities, and natural wonders through direct experience. Sometimes these learning opportunities are formal, with teachers or guides sharing knowledge that connects directly to the curriculum and provides the experiential education that GSA offers on every program. Just as often, however, learning happens when students are exploring independently with friends, discovering Costa Rican cuisine, interacting with locals to buy snacks or at the local gym working out. Students are making the most of their time in this truly diverse country and are fully immersing themselves in everything it has to offer. They recognize how special this opportunity is and are approaching it with maturity, curiosity, and reflection. Many parents may have wondered whether their young adult was ready to be away from home and travel independently. The students on this program have truly demonstrated that they are. They have shown the responsibility, resilience, and maturity needed to take full advantage of this experience and of the opportunity you provided them by participating in a Global Summers Academy program.
From the first day of the program, staff have emphasized the importance of building positive connections and supporting one another academically and socially. Being away from home provides students with a valuable opportunity to learn how to develop relationships quickly, navigate different personalities, and work collaboratively with their peers. Students are discovering the intricacies of building new friendships and support networks in a short period of time, a skill that will serve them well as they transition to post-secondary education. Whether collaborating in the classroom, studying together, or making group decisions during their free time, they are gaining important experience in independence, communication, and cooperation. While there is still room for growth, as there is for all young adults, I can see each student continuing to mature in this area as the program progresses. The maturity and adaptability they have shown throughout the experience suggest they are developing many of the skills needed to successfully navigate the first year of post-secondary life.
Many parents may have wondered about their son/daughter’s safety being so far away from the nest of home but I can assure you that your son/daughter have been very responsible in following the guidelines that GSA has to ensure their safety. It is clear that this group of students respect themselves and each other to represent their families, our school, our country and themselves in a way that all our locations know our Canadian students are a fantastic group. Thank you for raising such a thoughtful, responsible and respectful group of young adults. Our staff have often reflected that we are lucky to have this group on the program.
Thank you for reading. We are only 12 days away from coming home. I know students are excited to seeing all their loved ones on the 15th but they also are realizing just how much they are going to miss their new friends and miss the opportunity that you have provided to them this summer with this program.
Sincerely,
Jason Smith – Program Manager
