World Strides 2025

 

Day 1: Saturday, March 29th 

The adventure has officially begun! Our group landed in the heart of Costa Rica—San José—buzzing with excitement and anticipation. From lush rainforests to vibrant city life, we’re ready to dive into the stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and incredible biodiversity this beautiful country has to offer. Stay tuned as we kick off this unforgettable journey and share every step along the way!

     

Day 2: Sunday, March 30th 

What a better way to start the day than with an exhilarating rafting tour? The group had an incredible time navigating the rapids, enjoying both the thrill of the adventure and the stunning natural surroundings. After an action-packed morning, the group continued our journey to their main destination -Monteverde- where they had the special opportunity to meet their costarrican host families. 

    

Day 3: Monday, March 31st 

Let the classes begin! Today, the group started their Spanish learning journey. Later, they enjoyed a cooking class, preparing a traditional Costa Rican dish called picadillo de arracache. Arracache is a beloved root vegetable in Costa Rica, known for its potential benefits in neural regulation and composition - fascinating right? After a delicious lunch, the group embarked on a tour of the Santa Elena Reserve, where they had the oportunity to observe local wildlife. 

  

Day 4: Tuesday, April 1st

 

Today, the group began their day with Spanish classes. After completing their lessons, they went to their first day of volunteering at Life Monteverde. They also had a guided coffee tour where gained valuable insights into the coffee planting process, learning about is techniques and significance.

 

    

 

Day 5: Wednesday, April 2nd

 

Our volunteer work goes on! Today, the group continued their Spanish classes during the morning. In the afternoon, they visited Life Monteverde for another enriching educational experience. They also learned how to make tortillas - a staple of Costa Rican cuisine made of corn flour, often enjoyed with cheese, sour cream, or any topping of choice, always paired with a good cup of coffee. Later, they took part in volunteer activities, showing great teamwork and dedication. Well done, everyone! 

 

 

 

Day 6: Thursday, April 3rd 

 

The Spanish adventure continues with even more excitement and discovery! After their morning lessons, the group headed out for a hanging bridges tour - a breathtaking walk through the lush canopy of Monteverde, in which they got to see just how magical nature in this region truly is. Did you know that Monteverde is home to over 2.5% of the world's biodiversity? Interesting! But the day didn't end there. To keep the energy going, the group jumped into a latin class. They picked up the moves quickly and gave an amazing performance full of flair and fun. Great job, everyone!

 

 

 

Day 7: Friday, April 4th

 

TGIF vibes were strong today as the group kicked off the morning full of energy, ready to take on the day's challenges. After wrapping up their Spanish learning journey, they geared up for an afternoon of meaningful volunteer work. This time, their efforts took them to a local school in San Luis, Monteverde, where they rolled up their painting skills. It was a rewarding experience that blended creativity with community impact. And just when you thought the day couldn't get any more active - there was still energy left for a lively soccer match! What a way to end a productive Friday. 

 

  

 

Day 8: Saturday, April 5th 

 

Today started with a typical breakfast with host families - always a cultural way to begin the day. From there the group headed out for an adventure at El Tigre Waterfalls. Did you know that El Tigre is actually a series for four stunning waterfalls, connected by hanging bridges and forest trails? It's an epic place for nature lovers! The views where amazing and the group had an absolute blast exploring the area. Let’s hope they packed a towel—those cool mountain waters can be chilly! Later in the afternoon, the adventure shifted gears with a visit to a sloth habitat. There, the group learned all about these iconic slow movers, including their fascinating habits and the reasons behind their unhurried lifestyle. It's not just laziness—sloths have a low metabolic rate, which helps them conserve energy in the wild!

 

  

 

Day 9: Sunday, April 6th - A Bittersweet Farewell

 

And just like that, our unforgettable journey comes to an end. The past week has been filled with incredible experiences, meaningful connections, and so many new things learned along the way. To wrap our adventure, the group enjoyed a final lunch together on the road to the airport. We hope this trip left a lasting impression on everyone's hearts. Until next time - thank you for following along. See you!