Small Group Highlight: Local School Visit in Costa Rica

On our Costa Rica's Natural Heritage tour, the staggering biodiversity of this Central American nation takes center stage. But along with rainforest walks, excursions on hanging bridges, volcano hikes, and Pacific coast retreats, our small group enjoys a visit to Esceula Cerro Alegre (Happy Hill School), a local elementary school near La Fortuna.

On a recent training trip, Odysseys employee Lindsay A. joined her group for this visit, where our guests spent time learning about local life and the educational system in Costa Rica. The country's huge investment in education makes it unique among Central American nations, and its 95+% literacy rate ranks first in the region.

Odysseys employee Lindsay A. (far right) along with fellow guests and schoolchildren at Escuela Cerro Alegre in Costa Rica

Here is how the experience unfolded, according to Lindsay: "When we got there, we were seated and watched a few traditional song and dance performances by six of the students. Afterwards, we had a Q&A session with the students where we could ask them questions about their life in Costa Rica, and then vice versa with them asking us questions about life in the United States.

"The teachers also spoke a bit about their program and how they use the donations that Odysseys provides to improve the school. The building actually used to be a small church, so they rely on Odysseys to help them renovate it to make it more functional for the local children.

"Finally, the kids gave us a tour. They were selling a few crafts from local vendors, and some of our guests also brought along their own school supply donations to give to the teachers. Overall, we were there for about an hour, and it was a wonderful look at local life that all the guests enjoyed."

Odysseys guests and schoolchildren in the schoolyard at Escuela Cerro Alegre