This fall, as part of a nine-month gap year program that takes them around the world, 16 students from the Winterline Global Skills Program joined Outward Bound Costa Rica to push their limits in the outdoors of Panama and Costa Rica. The Winterline Global Skills Program encourages the development of individuals equipped to be citizens of the world. On the nine-month program students travel to 10 countries on three continents where they will gain more than 100 diverse skills, including life skills such as cooking, care giving and personal money management, job skills such as customer service and negotiation  and communication skills such as effective public speaking and the making of digital media presentations. International student participants from countries as far-reaching as Mexico, Colombia, Nepal, Canada and the United States, completed two course phases with Outward Bound Costa Rica instructors. During the first phase, the students traveled to Panama where they learned to scuba dive, went on a sea kayaking expedition, and helped build a roof as part of community service projects. Last week, the students completed an eight day hike through the rainforest of Central Costa Rica to the remote village of Piedras Blancas. The hike challenged students to step outside their comfort zone and discover their inner potential. “The hike was both challenging and rewarding,” said Callie S., from Chicago, Illinois. “It tested my limits without pushing me over the edge and despite how difficult it was, I will always be grateful for it.” “It was very physically challenging, but the outcome was great,” added Sydney P., from St. Louis, Missouri. “The experience was life changing.” Along their route, the students camped by the trail and stayed with local families on homestays where they experienced and learned about Costa Rican culture first hand. “It’s a very simple life living in the rainforest and when you isolate yourself from all the material aspects of everyday life, you can be very happy,” said Oliver S., from Roswell, Georgia. “I learnt about the way people live, their culture, religions and traditions,” said Upasana S. from Lalitpur, Nepal. “It changed a little bit of the way I view the world – like [recognizing] the worth of a long day of work and the value of family.” Indeed, the cultural interactions with Costa Rican families proved to be a highlight for the students. “The times we got to spend with the families doing activities [was my favorite part of course,” added Maria J., from Cali, Colombia. “I learned about the kindness of the people – how welcoming they are and how beautifully they open their houses for strangers like us.” Many of the students said they walked away from their experience with Outward Bound Costa Rica with a greater appreciation for life. “Life is incredibly valuable and [I learned] to have more appreciation for what I have in life,” added Alex P. from Brooklyn, New York. “It made me realize how many things we take for granted and made me feel grateful,” said Moises S., from Pachuea, Mexico. “[Costa Rica] is a beautiful country that values nature. I enjoy nature since it provides an environment for meditation.” “I learned about the rainforest, the families that live there, sugarcane processing and the work that goes into sustaining a home in the rainforest,” added Molly S. from Rockport, Massachusetts. “The hike was a great challenge and learning experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” We wish the Winterline Global Skills Program Students the best of luck on the rest of their exciting Gap Year Program!