WEB EXCLUSIVE Convent and Stuart Hall sophomores attended their final Costa Rica meeting last night before embarking on their week-long trip this Saturday. They will arrive back to San Francisco on Jan. 19.

“Costa Rica is a fun opportunity for the sophomores to be together,” Tenth Grade Chair Devin DeMartini Cooke said. “I am really hoping for them to be open to forming new friendships as well as strengthening the friendships they already have.”

With elements of service and fun activities included, the Costa Rica trip intends to give students time to bond with their fellow classmates.

“I am looking forward to bonding with my class and interacting with the locals from Costa Rica,” Sophomore Bella Wasserman said. “The activities we are doing like horseback riding and hiking should be a fun way to bond together.”  

As sophomores prepare for the trip, many upperclassmen students reminisce of their trip to Costa Rica. Some highlights included zip lining and horseback riding.

“I would definitely credit the Costa Rica trip for helping me try new things,” senior Caroline Phillipps said. “Before the zip lining activity I was terrified of heights but I eventually got into it and I started really enjoying the experience.”

Traveling to Costa Rica also provides for many students the opportunity to practice Spanish and learn about a different culture through engaging with locals.

“Costa Rica will help us become closer as a class and will also give us a new perspective of different communities,” Wasserman said.

Friends and family can follow the sophomores’ trip around Costa Rica through photos and student blog excerpts posted on the sacredsf.org.

“Costa Rica is a great trip to broaden your horizons and just push yourself to be vulnerable,” DeMartini Cooke said. “It is a trip to try something new.”