Trip to Costa Rica: Pura Vida

The participants of the Costa Rica trip posing before ziplining.

BOSTON, MASS – “The chocolate trip was fun but I didn’t really like the chocolate,” was only one of the surprising revelations of the Costa Rica trip.

On Monday, May 29, 2023, Newman students traveled with Economics Instructor Ms. Christine Saunders and Environmental Systems & Societies Instructor Ms. Kim Guerra to Costa Rica to visit the La Paz school.

“The main reason we are going to Costa Rica is because we formed a partnership with another IB school in Costa Rica... They came to our school last year, so it is nice because our students have already met some of their students,” Ms. Saunders explained before the trip.

Ms. Guerra adds, “We go to see how another culture and another part of the world implements the IB program… It is a great part of the world to just see and to learn a different language and practice Spanish, to learn what it's like to be in a different ecosystem, and to be able to provide services in a place other than Boston. So, that is why we go there, and then Costa Rica is also a fun place to be.”

“I liked the Costa Rica trip because I got to see new parts of Costa Rica. I got to meet people from Costa Rica and people who had previously lived in the USA. It was also fun because we had lots of freedom on where we went,” said Beckett Tonkovich ‘26.

Estefania Jimenez Lopez ‘26 agreed with Tonkovich. “I believe it was really fun and I loved having the experience of having my friends as roommates and doing all of the activities with them. It was a great ‘getaway’.”

“I loved the Costa Rica trip - I got the chance to spend time with friends and classmates outside of school, do some crazy hiking and zipline in the rain! The group had a great energy and we were always laughing and coming up with sayings to put in the ‘quotes list'.’' described Eva Cobo ‘26.

“I really enjoyed the trip. It was so cool to explore a country I had never been to with my friends and do so many interesting things,” told Maura Keimig ‘26.

Many students that went on the Costa Rica trip enjoyed it. They all describe how fun and adventurous the trip was. It was really a week where Newman students came together to experience a new country and culture.

“My favorite activity during the trip was going to the La Fortuna waterfall. It was so beautiful and the greenery and clear water made it seem fairylike. I also loved our community service projects like dog walking from the shelter and painting a community center,” said Cobo.

Keimig mentioned, “my favorite activity during the trip was probably white water rafting. It was super thrilling and just really fun.”

Lopez explained, “everything was just amazing. But maybe the van we rented was named “Bob” because I think it just made everything more exciting and made everyone closer so the trip would be even more enjoyable.”

Similar to Jimenez Lopez, Tonkovich had a hard time deciding his favorite activity. He either “liked the hiking or the zip lines” the most. When asked about his least favorite activity, he said, “The chocolate trip was fun but I didn’t really like the chocolate.”

“I honestly loved every activity in the trip but if I have to choose one I would say the hanging bridges but only because I’m a little scared of heights and I was slightly terrified!” described Cobo.

Reflecting on the trip, the students loved all the activities so much that they had a hard time deciding what their favorite activity was. Furthermore, none of them had an activity that they really disliked.

Cobo said,  “if I had the chance, I would have liked to take more classes at The La Paz school since I was only able to try the art class, which was still a very unique experience.”

Jimenez Lopez would have liked “a bit more of zip lining.”

“I honestly think it would be cool to experience and learn about the culture a little bit more so something correlated with that,” decided Keimig.

Tonkovich stated, “I think we did everything I really wanted.”

There are not many changes the students would make to the trip as they already enjoyed it as it has already been optimized after the first trip to Costa Rica in 2022.

Cobo recommends the trip to other students. “Others should go on the Costa Rica trip to have an experience that is really different from what we live in Boston. The school is a new environment, the nature is beautiful, you meet new people, and you’re sure to have lots of laughs with your group.”

Jimenez Lopez agreed with Cobo that others should go on the trip. “I think that it would be a great opportunity to bond with your friends and to have a great getaway and just relax and have fun.”

“People should go on the Costa Rica trip because it is such a great way to end the school year and it really is so much fun. You get to experience so many new things and it’s incredible,” explained Keimig.

“It’s fun doing stuff you can’t do in Boston,” said Tonkovich.

Newman students recommend this trip for various reasons but all agree that others should go on the trip.

Last year's school motto was “building community.” Students, who went on the Costa Rica trip were asked to reflect on how their trip was connected with the school motto of that year.

Cobo told, “This trip showed the Newman motto of “building community” through the friendships we created on the trip. Our entire group was always laughing and enjoying our time together. We got to try crazy things like water rafting and also had so much fun doing things like buying snacks at the supermarket and eating them on our road trip with our super awesome van we nicknamed Bob. And no one can forget the songs that were sung with that radio!”

Keimig agreed with Cobo. “I feel like the trip reflects last year's motto of building community by allowing for new friendships within our host families, and building stronger friendships with your friends on the trip.”

Jimenez Lopez said that it's connected “because we also interacted with the kids from Costa Rica and we joined their community, us being another community ourselves.”

Tonkovich agreed with Jimenez Lopez, “we helped paint the new community center.”

Overall, the trip was a great balance between exploring a new culture, adventure, and community work. The students thought it was a fitting final week for the school year.  Everyone agrees that Costa Rica is a not to be missed highlight that more students should participate in.

For more information about the Costa Rica trip, write to Ms. Saunders at csaunders@newmanboston.org or Ms. Guerra at kguerra@newmanboston.org.

A picture of a sloth.

Participants of the trip enjoying a meal together. From left to right: Keimig, Jimenez Lopez, Leutiger, DeJesus, Tonkovich, Cobo.

Ms. Saunders and Ms. Guerra posing together under the rain.