My CFAES trip to Costa Rica was an incredible experience – and I underestimated the impact it would have on me after returning home. From a strictly academic perspective, I had the opportunity to learn about many topics I would otherwise never have had exposure to – from biodigesters to closed loop animal management and care systems to sustainable tropical agriculture – but the experiences outside of the structured curriculum were where I learned the most .

One of the unique experiences we had on this trip was our brief stay in La Argentina, a rural agricultural cooperative near the Caribbean lowlands. One component of our time there was service. On our first day in-country, we installed a biodigester, but I felt pretty useless – only a few people, mostly from the farm, were able to participate while the rest of us stood and tried to learn more about the process while struggling through our language barrier challenges. However, the next day, I got to take a very active role with redoing the plumbing for the health center. We were led by an EARTH University employee, only a couple of years older than us, and spoke more or less purely in Spanish with him – communicating the process of cutting the PVC pipes, cleaning them, applying sealant, adding joints, replacing old and broken pipes and 

more. With the sufficient manpower, we were able to redo almost all of the exterior pipes that afternoon with minimal supplies. It was the first of many reminders on this trip of how we need less than we think we do. Some of the other students who were working on building benches felt like there wasn’t enough work to go around or they weren’t happy because they didn’t feel like they got to make enough of an impact. I think that was one big lesson of doing this kind of work in a community – the important thing is finishing what they need, what they identified as important and accomplishable within one afternoon – not generating busy work for the personal fulfillment o

f volunteers, or even worse, volunteers coming in thinking they know what an area needs.

The rest of my experience in La Argentina was absolutely phenomenal. It was my first time being so connected to nature and living off the land. In my homestay at La Finca de Los Laureles, Don Fernando and Christopher took us on a tour of the farm. Christopher showed us their biodigestor and explained more about how it worked – and how it was already the third one at the farm. Apparently, the previous two broke down – and it was likely caused by the wrong substances included in the effluent and a lack of training-and it took Christopher’s presence to help them along. This perspective was an interesting reminder about the importance of training, or better yet, mutual development with a community in order for initiatives to be long-lasting and successful.

During the farm tour, we also were able to experience some of the best views of the ent

ire trip. The first thing that surprised me was the river – it was steep stairs plunging straight down to the river and ascending to the other side – and because rivers are protected areas, it was quite literally a nature preserve. Coming up on the other side was the most breathtaking view on top of the hills of rolling countryside and trees. Later that night after our service day, we also got to swim in this deep, still area of the river. We just laid back in the water and stared up at the sky, only hearing the soft sounds of the forest. I have never before felt so grounded and connected to nature than I did that day, and I think I underestimated how powerful that connection can be.

We also had the experience of quite literally living off the land – eating meals with fresh produce, fresh eggs, and fresh homemade cheese from the farm. With everything we ate there and being so close to our food (as well as with the farm production tours), I’m now much more conscious of where my food comes from, the effort it takes to get there, and the people it touches along the way.

Besides all of those experiences, my time at La Finca Los Laureles was truly made by the people. Doña Lidia and Don Fernando welcomed us with such warm, open arms. At first, I was struggling to revive my high school Spanish but by the end, we were having conversations over meals and playing dominoes and card games (I had to explain Spoons in Spanish!).Being with the children and even talking to Doña Lidia and Don Fernando and the other locals really drove how meaningful it was to them to be speaking with them in their language and making that connection (or at least that effort).

Coming back from Costa Rica, I’ve had a newfound appreciation for everything – for the simple pleasures in life, for every good meal, for the company of my family and those around me. And I’ve taken the mentality of Pura Vida to heart – no matter how busy I’ve been or how little sleep I’ve gotten in the weeks since returning, I’ve taken the time to just appreciate life and exist without so much stress in the overly fast-paced environment we live in here (which for people who knew me beforehand, this is saying a lot!). And for that, this trip will impact me always.