Noah

18 years old, Maryland, USA

Noah chose to join us for our Leadership course because he decided this was the most effective way to spend a gap year before college as he hopes to gain valuable skills and life experience. Though he’s never been on a similar course before, Noah’s experienced nearly all the activities that this course offers and is most looking forward to surfing. Noah’s happy to be in Costa Rica because he knows it’ll put him outside his comfort zone and expose him to a new environment. He’s aspiring to go to Portland University; let’s hope the experience from this course gives him an extra boost!

Kurtis

18 years old, Alberta, Canada

Kurtis wanted to come to Costa Rica to take in the country’s diverse range of climates, landscapes and vast biodiversity. He’s looking forward to getting to know the group. Kurtis loves the ocean and marine life, which is why SCUBA diving is his most anticipated phase of the course. He’s a fan of playing soccer, longboarding, slacklining and SCUBA diving and is excited to expand his outdoor technical skills this fall.

Austin

18 years old, Alberta, Canada

Austin is looking to experience a different country and learn new life skills this semester. He enjoys swimming, fishing and SCUBA diving; anything that gets him outside. He’s excited to try surfing and to go SCUBA diving again, this time in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama! Beyond the adventure, Austin is also looking forward to being in Costa Rica for the first time and learning about the Tico culture and way of life.

Sarah

22 years old, Virginia, USA

Sarah wants to use the technical training that this Leadership Semester offers to better prepare herself for amazing outdoor adventures back home. Sarah’s an alum of our Rainforest, River & Reef course, so she knows all about trekking this country’s remote rainforest and the inviting, culturally enriching experience of our family homestays in Piedras Blancas. She’s happy to return because she loves the people and beautiful scenery that this country has to offer. This time around, she’s looking forward to SCUBA diving!

Patrick

19 years old, South Carolina, USA

Patrick is taking our Leadership course to help start his career in the outdoor industry. He’s a fan of traveling and is especially excited to be in Costa Rica to improve his Spanish, which he knows all about from being an alum! Patrick took our Water & Wave Semester course back in 2009, which we’re sure that gave him lots of time to do one of his favorite activities: surfing. For this Leadership course, he’s looking forward to the 18-day whitewater rafting phase.

Cameron

22 years old, South Carolina, USA

Cameron can’t get enough of OB Costa Rica! He’s back for his second consecutive Semester course. This past spring, Cameron joined us for our new Tropical Challenge Semester course, which we imagine is how he developed his love for the rainforest. This time around, Cameron is most looking forward to the surfing and whitewater rafting phases. He is also hoping this skill-focused semester will help in getting a job.

Matthew O.

22 years old, Florida, USA

When asked what he was most looking forward to, Matthew replied, “Everything!” He’s using this experience on our Leadership course as a way to start his professional career in the outdoors. Before coming to Costa Rica, Matthew was a first mate at Aloha Watersports in Florida. He loves to surf and go fishing and has never been on a similar outdoor course before. He’s thrilled to be in Costa Rica, already employing the country’s widely-used slogan, “Pura vida!”

Trent

19 years old, Washington, USA

Trent is here to “become a better leader and have fun!” Though he is excited for all aspects of course, he’s really looking forward to gaining technical outdoor certifications and going surfing. Back in the States, he’s an avid rock climber and snowboarder. Here in Costa Rica, he’s ready for all the adventures that wait around the corner. This will be his first outdoor adventure course; we’re glad he chose OBCR!

Chelsea

21 years old, Oregon, USA

Chelsea is already familiar with what it’s like to be a professional in the outdoors, but she’s looking to round out her skills. She’s been a whitewater raft guide and knows all about swiftwater rescue. Her goal while being on course is to improve her leadership skills as she pursues her careers goals. She’s excited to get to know her course mates as they learn and gain new experiences together. Chelsea has never been to Costa Rica and is thrilled to be seeking adventure in one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. She’s happy to get the chance to experience the culture of Central America while improving her Spanish.

Anna

21 years old, Colorado, USA

Anna has been to Costa Rica before and tells us she’s ready to practice her Spanish and amp up her consumption of rice and beans. A self-proclaimed “tree-hugger”, Anna enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking and horseback riding in her free time. She’s ready to take on the waves during the surfing phase and can’t wait to get to know her course mates and hear their cool outdoor and travel stories. Anna has worked as a camp counselor for the past three summers. She hopes that by taking this course she’ll improve her leadership skills and learn new outdoor skills to bring back to the resident camp world and pass on to younger generations.

Michael

22 years old, California, USA

Michael first joined us for a Spanish Emphasis Summer course back in 2006. He told us that the positive experience had a huge impact on his life, which is why he decided to return for Leadership! He’s studying Outdoor Recreation at Long Beach State and plans on improve his understanding of the field of study while on course, to ultimately reach his long-term goal of employment in the outdoor industry. As an avid surfer, Michael is looking forward to catching some waves along the Pacific Coast during the surf phase and is also ready to learn how to SCUBA dive.

Tate

19 years old, California, USA

Tate is looking for a different climate than Southern California, where he currently resides. He’s never been on a similar course before but thoroughly enjoys the outdoors. He chose this semester course to see the beauty of Costa Rica and get technical certifications, especially those that he’ll work for while whitewater rafting. On a personal note, Tate is planning on growing some epic facial hair during these next 65 days… We wish him luck on the endeavor!

Wyatt

21 years old, Virginia, USA

Wyatt is a big surfer and is most excited about shreddin’ the gnar on the famous warm water breaks that Costa Rica boasts. He’s an OBCR alum, having come on a few of our hiking and surfing courses back in the summer of 2008. Beyond his interest in surfing and whitewater rafting while on course, Wyatt also wanted to return to Costa Rica because he enjoys the Tico people and the weather and wants to learn Spanish.

Mathew M.

19 years old, Illinois, USA

Mathew is looking for an experience where he will grow as a person; he is taking our Leadership Semester course as a means to make a change in his life. Mathew is most looking forward to learning how to surf. One reason he chose Costa Rica as his destination for an Outward Bound course was to see the diverse wildlife that this country boasts.