After wrapping up their time at the beach, the Leadership group came back to base to prep for their hiking phase. With everything they’ll need for hiking strapped on their back, they headed out early Sunday morning into the beautiful Costa Rican rainforest. This week they’ve been making their way through the remote jungle, camping along the way.

An important part of the hiking phase is the “solo.” This is an experience that all of our Semester courses participate in. The solo experience offers students the opportunity to stop and reflect on the adventure they have had so far. Students are each placed in an area that is out of sight of all other participants. They are equipped with a food and water supply, sleeping bag, whistle, a journal or paper, a pen, their headlamp, and either a tent or tarp.

This time is meant not as a survival exercise, but rather as time for reflection. While many students are intimidated by the initial idea of the solo, it is generally one of the most memorable experiences of the course, and of their life. We can’t wait for the group to tell us all about it. As they move forward in the hike, they’ll swap camping for beds and meals with our infamous homestay families.

Check out the photos from the groups beach phase on our Facebook page.