Lifechanging, unforgettable experience! Past Review

This experience has really changed my life, and changed me as a person. It will definitely affect my future career because I will always remember the experiences and lessons I learned in Costa Rica. It has taught me to live life more simply. It has taught me that family is first, and love is really all you need to find happiness. The greatest benefit from this experience was "the experience", and getting to stay with the families. Staying with the families really immerses you head first into the culture, and that is exactly what I wanted from this trip. This experience would be COMPLETELY different if we stayed in a hotel, and I do not think I would have enjoyed it half as much. Additionally, getting to work at the Elementary School really opened my eyes to the amazing abilities of their staff. It blew my mind how the school has 800 students, and only that small cafeteria with 3-4 cooks. It is beyond my comprehension how they manage to feed all those children every day. Also, Posada de Belen really opened my eyes as well, because I was so overwhelmed with happiness knowing that they have a home like that for the teens and their children, where they provide them with the best care and education. The world needs more places like Posada de Belen. Put simply, this experience is something that you cannot pass up. Sure, you can go to Costa Rica on your own time and see all the sites and go on the fun excursions, but the key to this program is to immerse you into the culture. Living with the host families is an experience you will never be able to do through a travel agency. Living with, and becoming part of a new family is an irreplaceable experience. I am so thankful and grateful for this entire experience because I got to meet amazing people that are forever going to have a special place in my heart. I definitely left Costa Rica a changed person, for the better. This was an experience of a lifetime, and I cannot thank SOL enough, especially to Janiva and Fio. They were the best directors of the program and they truly made the experience unforgettable. Being able to stay with Costa Rican families is the best part of this experience for me personally, because being able to participate in the family, learn the culture, experience the culture, and truly feel as though you are a member of their family is irreplaceable. There is so much love in Costa Rica, and the families truly make you feel like you are home. I cannot thank SOL enough for providing me with the adventure of a lifetime. Pura Vida!