91¶ÌÊÓƵ

“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” – Terry Tempest Williams

A fitting welcome-back quote featured on the airport wall as students endured the trek from the B-gate to baggage claim. The 10-day immersive study abroad experience, in partnership with Outward Bound Costa Rica, had come to a bittersweet end.

Waking up long before the sun on Friday, February 28, to catch a flight seemed well worth the sleep sacrifice the moment the van rolled up to the Outward Bound home base. Surrounded by lush jungle trees and foliage, the feeling of adventure had finally set in. Students explored the grounds and their temporary housing, tossing their bags down and claiming bunks one by one. This would be their last night sleeping in a bed and surrounded by walls for the next two days.

Saturday morning began bright and early—figuratively speaking on the “bright” part, of course, as they once again found themselves up before the sun. A recurring theme they would soon catch on to. A deal had to be made prior to departure. The deal? No technology, just vibes (cameras excluded).

Ten days of experiencing the powerful and raw beauty of disconnecting to reconnect. Trip-goer Kali DeJong shared, “I think my favorite part of the trip was the company I had, the people I met, and the lessons I learned by talking to everyone.” In a world dominated by screen time, the group was quickly reminded of the value of presence in all its forms.

In fact, student John Bartolotta listed, “the waterfall pools we stopped at for lunch, making cheese from scratch and carrying sugar cane stalks to use for candy, all things I’ve never done before,” as key moments to remember. The essence of these moments captured the positive effects of having a dose of vitamin N and immersing oneself in culture.

Each day was filled with new challenges, whether it be heat, humidity, illness, exhaustion, or lack of downtime. Throughout the week, the group, “pushed past personal limits,” said faculty leader Jon Griffith. “Resilience and leadership were put to the test,” he said, as they hiked through dense jungle trails, navigated challenging terrain, and operated as a team during unforeseen circumstances.

As participant Crystal Wissler put it, “Costa Rica pushed me, challenged me, and gave me memories I’ll never forget.” And so, it ends. An unforgettable journey. Through each challenge, growth. Each moment of discomfort, strength. And in every new conversation, deeper understanding of what it means to be present and reconnect with what it means to be human. Pura Vida!

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*Vitamin N is defined by Richard Louv in Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life as the mind/body/nature connection meant to enhance physical and mental health.

*Outward Bound, founded by educator Kurt Hahn, is a nonprofit educational organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that inspire strength of character, leadership, and service to others, both in and out of the classroom.

Visit Weber State's Study Abroad website for future experiences.

Visit the Outdoor & Community Recreation Education website or contact Brittni Strickland (brittnistrickland@weber.edu) for information about OCRE degree options.