They walked and hiked then flew across the beautiful heart of Monteverde’s cloud forest in Costa Rica receiving a once-in-a-lifetime view.
Six students went to Costa Rica with science teacher Alex Jacobs and English teacher Sarah Jacobs on June 5 -12.
“I really enjoyed the experience,” senior Tristan Goodwin said. “The music was nice. It kind of felt like I was in Mexico. Their role model is pure life, and they’re honest and nice people.”
The group learned to make traditional Costa Rican food, hiked through nature and rode rapids as well as ziplines.
“I really enjoyed going on the zipline,” sophomore Cutter Davis said. “I liked the breeze and the view each time I flew to get to the other side.”
A. Jacobs said he likes taking these trips to help students do their research in nature.
“It gives them the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and outside of the United States,” he said. “It can also give students college credits.”
As the students soaked up Costa Rican customs and sights, they also collected souvenirs from town markets.
“I bought three things,” senior Tristan Stixrud said. “I bought a tank top that had a cool design, a slingshot and a cutting board. I ended up spending around $40.”
While most students bought souviners for themselves, Davis bought them with his family members in mind.
“I got my mom a bracelet, and I also got some earings,” Davis said. “They were about $20 each.”
Goodwin said the cost of the souvenirs were a little bit pricey in tourist areas, but not in town.
“I bought some coffee and chocolates,” Goodwin said. “The coffee was $10 and the chocolate was $15.”
Junior Micah Galvan said he enjoyed viewing the interactions of the bats at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center.
“My favorite thing was when we went to go see the bats,” Galvan said. “They let them go, and we got to record them in slow motion.”
Senior Noah Franco said he had a hard time with the language barrier in Costa Rica.
“It was kind of difficult understanding the people when we were by ourselves without the tour guide, but it was all right,” Franco said. “The traffic was kind of chaotic because they don’t have the same laws we do.”
Four out of the 10- student group were from other places than Seminole.
“On the third day, when we went hiking,” Galvan said. “I got along with a student from Virginia; his name is Dalton. The next day we learned more about each other, and we exchanged numbers. I still talk him.”
Students viewed a variety of species of frogs up close in the Monteverde Frog Pond.
“We learned all about frogs,” Goodwin said. “The colorful frogs are the most poisonous, and it depends on what they eat.”
A. Jacobs said he enjoys taking these trips.
“I’ve taken two trips,” Alex said. “I took one of them in 2019 to Hawaii, and this year to Costa Rica, so I’ve been doing it for about six years.”
Students were able to explore, experience and encounter new connections of the marvalous things Costa Rica had to offer.
