¡Pura vida!
For fourteen Hastings High School junior and senior Spanish students and two faculty, the pure life is becoming a reality. On March 6-15, they will be traveling to Costa Rica for ten, fun-filled days of sun, Spanish, and adventure.
Senior Rachel Stroebel is one the Spanish students going on the trip. Like all students, she has many reasons for traveling to Costa Rica.
“I wanted to utilize my Spanish more,” Stroebel said.
Spanish teacher Nathan Mueller will be accompanying the students on the trip. This will be his first time going on the trip and, although it is not his first time out of the country, his first time to go to Costa Rica. He is excited to be able to see his students grow as Spanish speakers.
“I have had most of these kids in class,” Mueller said, “so it’s going to be cool to go and see them improve their Spanish in a real life setting.”
While the students are in Costa Rica, they will have the opportunity to stay with a host family, go to a school for Spanish students, and tour the surrounding area. From canyoning to zip lining, there will also be plenty of activities to fuel the dare devil side in every student.
“I am most excited for the activities like the white water rafting,” Stroebel said.
With every new experience comes some worries. The trip to Costa Rica will be no different.
“I am worried that I won’t fully be able to communicate with my host family,” said Stroebel.
For Mueller, there are not so many worries as there are annoyances from being gone so long.
“I am not excited to prepare sub plans for a week because it is hard for kids to learn from a sub who doesn’t speak Spanish,” said Mueller. “It is also going to be a little different for me because all of the fun activities are strictly scheduled. Usually when I travel, I just do what I feel like doing. This is a lot more planned and organized.”
Over all, the excitement is running high and the students have high hopes for what they want to accomplish with their time in a foreign country.
“I hope to get a better understanding of the language and culture,” said Stroebel.
Mueller is most excited to see what the students will gain from their experience.
“I not only want them to get better at Spanish speaking and listening skills, but I want them to gain confidence,” Mueller said. “Living with another family away from Hastings will give them confidence in speaking to other people. I remember that I only started to really be able to speak Spanish when I went to foreign countries.”
Mueller is excited to be given this opportunity to be a part of this experience.
“It was a surprise but it was a pleasant surprise,” Mueller said. “I am excited to travel with students I’ve had in class, get to know them better, and see how much their Spanish has improved.”
