We’re always proud to hear about our Outward Bound Costa Rica alumni and their amazing accomplishments. Participants of our Alumni Ambassador program help spread the word about their life changing experiences on course. If you would like to join the team and be a featured alumnus on our blog, start by filling out our Alumni Ambassador form.
Name: Tien Vo
Hometown: Pewaukee, WI
Year in school: Junior in High School
Courses Attended with OBCR: Catching Waves (2015)
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM COURSE
If I had to pick one thing specifically, it would be the last night on the beach when we sat around the campfire and reflected on everything that we learned and accomplished, and spent quality time with everyone on our course. I realized then how much I had grown since the beginning of the course, and I just felt so thankful for everything that had happened in the past week. I didn’t want it to end, but I was so happy that I got to know all girls and instructors on my course.
FAVORITE MEAL FROM COURSE
My favorite meal was the empanadas, but the food on the trip was amazing, because we could actually see every single ingredient we were putting into our food. It was fresh!
FAVORITE WILDLIFE INTERACTION ON COURSE
There were so many great moments to choose from, but my favorite interaction with the fauna was when we walked through a wooded area near the camp and saw all the little monkeys up in the trees, because I have never seen a monkey in its natural habitat in person. I also loved zipling, because I could see miles and miles of the beautiful rainforest. It was incredible!
FAVORITE ACTIVITY FROM YOUR COURSE
Playing with the little kids at the school was one of the best things we did on the course. After painting the school, it was so great to see that we were helping these wonderful children. It was so rewarding, and so fun to spend time with them and celebrate Guanacaste Day with them.
BIGGEST SURPRISE DURING YOUR COURSE
I was surprised by so many great things. First was how easily I was able to adjust to living in nature; this was my first time camping, so I thought it was going to be hard for me to get accustomed to the conditions, but I absolutely loved it. Another thing that surprised me was how much the course instructors genuinely cared about us — not just while we were on course, but for our lives and our futures. A lot of times, instructors just get you from point A to B safely and that’s all that matters. On this program, they weren’t just babysitters or tour juides, they were our friends. I am so thankful for the amazing instructors we had.
MOST VALUABLE LESSON LEARNED ON COURSE
The main lesson I took away was to always live in the moment. So often, we forget that the moment we are in right now is the most important; the past is done and over with, and the future hasn’t happened. At home, everyone is so caught up in social media, phones, clocks, and calendars. We miss the moments and the company we are in. Those 10 days without phones or clocks were the best days.
MOST INSPIRING MOMENT FROM COURSE
There wasn’t a moment that was more inspiring than the others, because the whole course inspired me. The instructors inspired me, the friends I made inspired me, the children at the school inspired me, the ocean, the landscape, and Costa Rica inspired me. I was inspired to inspire, and teach, learn, travel, meet new people, smile more, take care of the earth, notice the beauty around us, and live an adventurous and full life.
DESCRIBE OUTWARD BOUND COSTA RICA IN ONE WORD
Inspiring!
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH OUTWARD BOUND COSTA RICA HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR FUTURE?
Outward Bound Costa Rica has changed my life for the better. I look at the world differently now, because I know that there this so much more to life than I thought there was. Those ten days sparked something in me: passion. Passion is something that will forever motivate me in everything that I do, because now I can’t just do things to them done; I do things with purpose and make the most out of every situation. OBCR inspired me to always push my boundaries and expand my comfort zone. Now I know that I am not the only one who wants to live this way, because I have made friendships that will last a lifetime on this course. And I know they were inspired too.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FUTURE PARTICIPANTS OF THIS COURSE?
What you put into your time on this course is what you will get out of it. Don’t be afraid to try something new, because you’ll regret it more if you don’t try. If you are afraid, have courage. This is the best place to get out of your comfort zone, because no one will judge you if you do something embarassing; by the end of the course you will all be a family, and family supports each other. Make the most of every experience and every chance you get. The same moment won’t happen twice. Look at every situation as another adventure and begin it with an open mind. And of course, live in the moment.
Want to have your own Costa Rican adventure just like Tien? Applications are now open for our 2016 Girl Scout Destinations. If you’re not a Girl Scout, join us for a service-based course on our Summer Expeditions.