Name: Allie Highsmith

Hometown: Centennial, CO

Occupation: Student

Course name/year: Rainforest, River, and Reef 2016

1. What made you chose to do an Outward Bound Costa Rica course?

I was looking for an adventure, and man, was I satisfied.

2. What is your favorite memory from your course?

I suppose it wasn’t really one memory, rather a collection of them.  I most valued learning about myself, the Costa Rican culture & people, my new friends, and life generally.

3. What did you learn on course that is still relevant in your life today?

My instructors were incredible and I learned a lot from them.  The most relevant teaching would probably have to be that one should always be living in the present, going with the flow, rather than trying to plan my future.

4. What are you up to in your life right now?

I’ve been working a lot so I can save up for another trip, actually.  Also, studying a lot.  I’m very interested in languages so I’ve been doing Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), Italian, Mandarin Chinese, and German.

5. Did Outward Bound have an impact on your life path? If yes, how so?

It more solidified and modified my plan a little bit than changed it.  I want to do something with language and I have for a long time and I’ve always known I wanted to travel for my work, now I just know that with more certainty.

6. What brought you back to Costa Rica?

I had never been before, but I was especially interested in Costa Rica because of the homesteads that the program offered and I love Spanish and learning different versions of it.  Also, Colombia is my favorite country in the world and Costa Rica is close to it so I thought there might be some similarities.

7. Would you recommend Outward Bound Costa Rica to teens? Why or why not?

Of course!  I think it teaches so many amazing lessons, and teenagers are the ones that need it most, I think.

8. What advice do you have for students who are considering doing a course with Outward Bound?

One: even if it seems like a lot to prepare for, just do it.  You will not regret it. Two: you can do literally anything you want.  Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Ruthanne helps Outward Bound Costa Rica by sharing the word with other Girl Scouts and students interested in international programs. If you want to be our next alumni ambassador and let other people know about your experience at Outward Bound Costa Rica, fill our alumni ambassador form.