AYLP Costa Rica-Panama 2011

Our first stop was at the U.S. Embassy, Costa Rica where we received welcome and presentations from the cultural, agricultural, and environmental agents. The cultural agent explained how the U.S. embassy's main priority was to help citizens abroad. The environmental agent talked about statistics and how they're reaching into communities to address environmental issues. An example is how in the city of San Jose, the concern for recycling is not a priority as it is to the rest of the country. However, Costa Rica expects to be carbon neutral by 2021. We next heard from the agriculture agent who discussed imports and exports of agriculture goods over the last three years and the overall economic goals of the U.S. in Costa Rica. For instance, he discussed the U.S. trying to reduce the Costa Rican rice subsidies.

On our way out of San Jose, we stopped at a store, Kiosco, that promotes current local art. Most of the art is recycled and the procedes from some of the sales go to organizations such as UNICEF that helps single mothers find jobs.

We left San Jose on Route 32, headed to Earth University in Limon, Guacimo. During our bus ride we went through the midget cloud forest and saw a beautiful scenery. The trip lasted two and a half hours. Once we arrived, we were greeted and received a presentation.

They gave us an introduction to Earth University and the different studies and countries that are involved here. While going through the applications, their main focus is on leadership skills and individuals that can be agents of change. Earth University has a wide diversity of students from all over the world. The interview process is lenghty because over 900 individual interviews are held, but only 100 are accepted. Some of the new incoming students are challenged because classes are in Spanish and they must learn the language in six weeks. As juniors, students are given a loan from $1 up to $3,000 develop a successful marketing plan. This is done so they are prepared to be leaders in their community upon graduation. One team presented their project to the GYLI participants.

Then we were given a tour of the campus and ate a fantastic meal.