Tico/Tica Pen-Pals!!

Courtney, 17

It seems like just yesterday that I was filling out an application that would open the doors to an invigorating country. Almost a year later, without even leaving America, I feel as though I’m just returning.

Since turning in my Costa Rica application I have learned so many different things about the country; ranging from its historic and noble surrender of armed forces to its controversial decision to sign CAFTA. But the most monumental lesson I’ve learned so far about Costa Rica is that Tico’s are amazing people who are full of charisma and enthusiasm toward life. During our trip we will be introduced to Tico’s that are around our age, so we were all assigned to be email Pen Pal’s with those whose paths have been destined to cross with ours.

My pen pal's name is Paula; she is so similar to me that it’s frightening! She loves music, dancing, volleyball, and martial arts; which are all things that I am interested in. She hopes to go to the University of Costa Rica next year and hopes to visit North America some day. The one thing that I admire and have learned from building a relationship with Paula is that she is very driven and aspires to be very accomplished in life despite any challenges she may face.

I can honestly say that I have a friend in Costa Rica. We are both counting down the days until I arrive in Costa Rica, and have even mourned the small amount of days we will have together. One thing that I can say she has proven, and I hope I have proven for her, is that even though you originate from very different areas of earth, it is possible to build a bond. I hope that Paula and I will remain friends for the rest of our lives and have a great time together in Costa Rica!!!

CAFTA, positive or negative?

Danielle, 18

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), an economic arrangement between the United States and countries of Central America, will slowly go into effect within the next 20 years. Depending on your view, it can either be a positive or negative thing for Costa Rica.
There are quite a few benefits that CAFTA will bring for Costa Rica. CAFTA will reduce a $2.3 billion deficit with other countries. Foreign investments may bring jobs. It will reduce trade taxes between the United States and Central American nations. Having CAFTA may allow Costa Rica's economy to grow more. Even though it seems like there are many benefits that CAFTA will bring to Costa Rica there are also a lot of negative effects as well.

Some say there are more risks with CAFTA then benefits. Small businesses may close which will cause many people to become unemployed. People not having jobs will create poverty. People will have a hard time trying to live. Also, cost of things will go up such as rice by 35%, clothes tax by 95%, and health costs. There are many different things that can go wrong from CAFTA.

Depending on your view of CAFTA, it can either have a positive or negative affect on Costa Rica. People can have these ideas on how CAFTA will affect Costa Rica, but they really don't know if their ideas are true until CAFTA is in effect.

CAFTA

Emily, 16

Though a controversial topic, the Central American Free-Trade Agreement, or CAFTA recently passed. Some think that this will bring trade opportunities to Costa Rica, where others think that this will do a great deal of damage to the country. There are people such as Epsy Campbell who are highly opposed to it, but she’s right in noting that a lot of large Costa Rican companies who are already wealthy will benefit from this, where the medium and smaller sized companies will be cut out, or forced to switch products to grow. Whether these companies will have the money to fit into this forced change, seems obvious in saying, most of them will not. Now it will take a few months to go into effect, but I am curious to see when we go to Costa Rica if any significant change is occurring already.

What I Learned About CAFTA

Kiera, 16

There are many who believe that CAFTA will affect Costa Rica in a negative way and there are those who believe the contrary. Epsy Campbell, a political figure in Costa Rica, believes that CAFTA is negative, which led her to vote against it. Her reasoning for why CAFTA is not good for the country is because she says it will not help the middle-class and the poor; it will only benefit the wealthy sectors of society.

She claims that CAFTA will hurt the social security system in Costa Rica, and that the cost of telecommunication services will rise as it has in the rest of Latin America. Costa Ricans will not be protected because they will have no help with loans or subsidies. It will weaken their ability to undertake social and infrastructure investments, she says, because Costa Rica will have many more debts that everyone will be required to help pay off. Another reason she doesn’t believe it will benefit Costa Rica is because Mexico has already gone through it with NAFTA and she is unhappy with the results.

Others like Jose Antonio Munoz, approved of CAFTA. They believe that it will help Costa Rica’s economy grow through the years. Supporters believe that it will be great for them to have diverse exports. Other countries will have “greater confidence” in Costa Rica’s willingness to trade. Munoz believes that it will not affect the farmers there that much, because many of them have left. He wants their economy to be great like Brazil and Ecuador.

Jon Huenemann, said that things will change, but Costa Rica will just have to adapt to it, because the world is changing and they have to be up to date with other countries. He believes that the US and Costa Rica will both be in better shape as a result of CAFTA. Sonia Picado agrees. She believes that CAFTA will work out because Costa Rica is creative, and they will make a way through all the negatives.

Furthest From Home.

Siena, 17

The furthest I have ever been from home is Toronto, Ontario in Canada. I went there to visit my great uncle and aunt. I went there with my parents and stayed for about a week. While I was there the most meaningful thing I learned was about my family history and how my uncle and his family immigrated to America from Russia. I was able to learn about where my family came from and the obstacles they had to overcome during WWII. It really made me appreciate my family and my heritage.

The trip I will be taking next is further away than Ontario. It’s the furthest I will have ever been. It’s Costa Rica. Going on this trip will be the furthest from home I have been, and it will be the longest time I have been away from my family. To prepare for this trip I have bought all the supplies I need and am mentally preparing myself for not being able to see or talk to my family or friends for almost two weeks. Although this may seem difficult, I am determined to pull through and do the best I can and have the most fun and adventure I can. I can tell this trip is going to be great and be a turning point in my life. I know I am going to learn a lot of valuable lessons and cannot wait to get there.

Furthest Travel Spot

Alyssa, 17
The furthest away I have been from home is when I traveled to California with my aunt. I was in second grade, and we went away for one week in October. I have always loved to travel, and have been travelling since I was only a few weeks old. My aunt had already been planning to visit her friend, Nadine, in Orange County, California, and my mom and her planned for me to go with her as a late birthday gift. I had such a great time. We went to the beach, to different stores in the city, and to Disney Land. (The Space Mountain ride in Disney Land is much better than the one in Disney World!) I have never been one to be homesick, and I’ve travelled away from my parents many times. I think all of my times going to Girl Scout camps, or just being away from my parents, has prepared me to be able to leave the country without them, and also for college and life after high school.
Other ways I have been preparing for the trip to Costa Rica is by gathering up some of my summer clothes, travel items, and gear I will need while I’m gone. My mom and I have bought things like bug spray, sunscreen, and lightweight clothing to work in. I still do need a few more things, but I feel mostly confident that I will have everything packed soon. I really am looking forward to going out of the country to a new place and culture, and can’t wait to leave Pittsburgh!

Farthest place from home.

Kiera, 16

The farthest I’ve been away from home geographically was when I went to Florida. But the farthest away from home mentally was when I went to Virginia. I was there for two months living with my aunt and uncle. I prepared for this trip by getting my clothes together, and also by talking with my aunt and uncle more, so that I could get used to being around them for a long time. It’s not that I didn’t know them, but it was so that I could get used to being around them more often and learning how they do things.

I changed because of this trip, because I learned how to live in a similar but different environment. It was similar because they did most of the basic things I did, but it was different because they had certain customs that I didn’t do in my own family. I liked being there for two months because they taught me how to become a stronger and better young woman.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail"

Nathan, 18

Over of the past few months, I have been preparing for this trip of a lifetime. For example, I have been pay more attention in Spanish class so I can somewhat communicate with the indigenous while traveling there. Other things that I have been done are pushing myself in everything I do. In my academics I have been pushing myself to do the best that I can. Knowing that I can push myself in my academics will help me be able to push through the mental aspect of the trip. I have been preparing physically by continuing to play hockey. While playing hockey I always have to push myself to new heights to become a better player, with this happening I know I can put my body up against anything even if I do fail. If I fail I know that, that will make me stronger in the future. A couple of sayings that I have been keeping in the back of my head are “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, and “doing the best you can do is victory, doing less is defeat”. These quotes help me stay motivated and on track because they mean so much to me. I know that I am going to make mistakes while doing work, or anything else while in Costa Rica, I do it all the time while playing hockey, but it only makes me do better the next time.

Preparing for Costa Rica

Danielle, 18

I can't wait for when it is time to board the plane and leave for Costa Rica! Before I can go to Costa Rica there are a few things that I have to do to prepare. Since many of us do not know Spanish that well we are taking one day a week to practice Spanish. Also, outside of school when I talk to someone I try to substitue a Spanish word for an English word, I do this so that I can get more practice. Not only am I trying to learn more Spanish I am also trying to get things that I will need on the trip. Whenever I go out shopping with my Mom and we see something that I may possibly need on the trip we may get it so that we are not rushing around to get everything at once. Those are the two main things that I am working on at the moment so that I can get myself ready for when it is time to board the plane and leave for Costa Rica.

Reflection on Ecosystem Presentations by the Latin American Studies Students

Mr. Moreland, City High Science Teacher

I was impressed by the level of detail in nearly all of the National Park presentations today. City High students worked in groups of three to four people to research the ecosystems present in several of the National Parks of Costa Rica. I am amazed that organisms as varied as orchids, sea turtles, macaws, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, and morpho butterflies are all present in a country half of the size of Pennsylvania.

I hope that all of the City High students now have a better understanding of the plants, insects, and animals that they will encounter in April.

First Contact

Ryan Oliver, City High Social Studies Teacher

We finally succeeded in making video contact with students at a Costa Rican High School. Three years in the making, this initial conversation was a wonderful testament to the power of technology to make personal connections across physical barriers, when put to the right uses.

Our hope is that most of the awkward initial moments of self-consciousness and insecurity will be had through our video-conference and email communications in the next month before we depart, allowing for a more meaningful experience once we arrive in San Jose. New this year, students from our partner school Liceo Vargas Calvo will not only host us at their school, but also join us for a tour of Poas Volcano.

We aim to build this relationship into one of powerful cultural exchange with ever expanding opportunities to seek commonality and wonder at our differences. Thanks to Matt Cook, Ed Crist, and Dr. Wertheimer for their practical, technical, and visionary assistance respectively.