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Greenheart Travel Blog
A virtual campfire for travel tales and tips.

Tuning In…Costa Rica’s Culture, Customs and Language Almost Clear

by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant

pinto gallo

I am now starting to feel a part of this culture, and a connection with the Costa Rican people. It hit me when I realized I felt no connection to the "foreigners" from the States; I no longer feel like I'm in the same category and I found it easy to stare at their clothes, blonde hair and blue eyes. The interactions with my Costa Rican family have also started to make an impression. In fact, the thought of leaving them one day is almost unbearable! Read more...

Posted by TAadmin at 12/30/2009 12:16 PM Comments (0)

Absorbing the Costa Rican Culture

(Volunteer) Permanent link

by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant

costa rica coffeeboy Greenheart Travel's Hannah Nevitt, writes on Costa Rica's thunderstorms, chickens and coffee as she continues to absorb the culture of the country... Read more...

Posted by TAadmin at 12/28/2009 12:29 PM Comments (0)

Fighting to Succeed in Japan’s Kyugi Taikai

(High School Abroad) Permanent link

by Jes Stayton, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant

bracket

The kyugi taikai is an all-school competition in Japan between the classes. Unlike many gym classes in the States, where most students line the sidelines in boredom, teachers and students take this high school event seriously. When I asked my teacher a question about the kyugi taikai, she told me to ‘Ganbate‘. (It means ‘Try your hardest’, or more literally ‘fight to succeed’) Read more about Fighting to Succeed here...

Posted by TAadmin at 12/23/2009 12:39 PM Comments (0)

Looking Forward to the Weekend … At School

(High School Abroad) Permanent link

by Jess Stayton, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad participant

Ikebana School events in Japan take on a different twist than the familiar routine of high school in the States. Jes Stayton experiences her first gakuensai (school festival), and learns that spending the weekend at school can sometimes be an entertaining event. Read more about Looking Forward to the Weekend...At School.

photo courtesy of UCLA Asia Institute

Posted by TAadmin at 12/21/2009 3:15 PM Comments (0)

Hello, Goodbye, Hello again…Meeting a New Host Family in Japan

(High School Abroad) Permanent link

by Jes Stayton, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant

High school abroad is more than learning about a new culture and immersing yourself in a new environment, it's also about being able to adapt to new surroundings. Jes shares her experience as she says goodbye to one host family and hello to another, and why packing formal dresses is not necessary when traveling to Japan. Read more of Hello, Goodbye, Hello Again...

Posted by TAadmin at 12/17/2009 12:06 PM Comments (1)

Finding My Inner Tarzan

(Volunteer) Permanent link

by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant

"This is what it feels like to fly. This is what it feels like to be Tarzan." These are Hannah's thoughts as she soars high above the jungle floor in Costa Rica, zip-lining in La Fortuna. Taking in the scenery, dotted with colorful, exotic birds and the peak of Arenal jutting out on the horizon, Hannah checks off one more adventure from her to-do list in life... Read more about Finding My Inner Tarzan...

Posted by TAadmin at 12/16/2009 11:18 AM Comments (0)

How I Found My Inner Tarzan After Chasing a Bus in Costa Rica

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by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant

costarica zipline Costa Rica's lush, jungle terrain provides an array of outdoor activities for the adventurous. Hannah Nevitt finds her inner Tarzan by zip-lining through the tree tops, gaining a bird's eye-view of the land; but first, she had a bus to catch - or rather chase one... Read more of Hannah's adventure...

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Posted by TAadmin at 12/14/2009 3:07 PM Comments (0)

Peace, Respect and Sustainability in Costa Rica

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by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad participant

Costa Rica forest Conservation and sustainability are taken very seriously in Costa Rica, and the respect for the environment can be found in their way of life. Simplicity is at its finest with fresh foods and little waste products, as Ticos work to preserve their country's beautiful flora and fauna. Read more about Hannah's first hand experience in Peace, Respect and Sustainability in Costa Rica...

Posted by TAadmin at 12/7/2009 11:04 AM Comments (0)

An Earthquake Is Not A Carnival Ride

(High School Abroad) Permanent link

by Jes Stayton, Greenheart Travel’s high school abroad participant

Japan earthquake map "It’s interesting that I didn’t really think about earthquakes before I came to Japan." Jes learns that earthquakes are not quite the same as thrilling amusement park rides. Read more about trying to fit under a school desk and what a routine earthquake drill entails in a Japanese high school...