Horseback Riding and Enjoying Nature

       In Nosara, the three "main activities" are surfing, horseback riding, and yoga. As of today, I have officially tried two of them. At the end of another amazing weekend, I went riding with a new friend of mine whose family owns several horses. They live in a part of Nosara that I had not yet been to, and riding horses was a great way to explore that land. One of the many amazing things about Nosara is that you are always only about 20 minutes from both the ocean and the mountains. Both of these environments offer different exciting activities as well as different looks at the beautiful land. Riding was my first "mountain experience," and it was a blast. Watching the sunset while we were riding was incredible and completely different from watching it from the beach. I can understand why the people living here try to be very eco-friendly and focus on protecting their environments. They live in such a beautiful place, and they want it to stay that way in years to come.
       This has been mentioned in several previous blogs, but it can't be stressed enough how much people love their lives here. I think the environment really contributes to how much joy people feel living here. I have read that being in nature, or even just seeing trees can improve your mood, and in Nosara it almost always feels like you are outside surrounded by nature. Even at school, the campus is mainly outdoor space. I think that being near other people who feel this joy in their environment is contagious; positive, happy people make you happier, so the overall effect is a feeling of connectivity and happiness in everyone. I feel so lucky for the opportunity to be living in this community of people and this beautiful nature. I hope that Andrew, Ilan, and I will bring some of the peace and happiness we feel back with us to Houston to share with others.
       This demonstrates activity because of the surfing and riding that I have been doing. I think it also demonstrates Learning Outcome 1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth. I am not very good at surfing or riding, but I am definitely improving, and I keep trying to get better.

Costa Rica Immersion Experience Week 1

       This year, as part of Post Oak's J/A-Term program, I planned a 3 month immersion experience in Nosara, Costa Rica. I am attending Del Mar Academy and living with a host family with two other boys from my school.
       We have officially been in Nosara for a full week, and the time has flown by. It is such a joyful community to be a part of, and it seems like the kids at Del Mar never get sick of each other. We spent our whole weekend with students from Del Mar at la Playa Guiones and the surrounding town, which is about a 20 minute walk from our house. Just like the school week, weekends here are a shockingly different environment to be apart of than in Houston. No one is stressing or running from one activity to another, instead they are surfing, swimming, eating, playing games, and enjoying each other's company. Everyone just goes with the flow and has a blast.
       Andrew, Ilan, and I have all noticed after only a week how happy everyone here is. There is no stress or pressure or competition; everyone supports each other. The lifestyle also feels healthier, which I think adds to the overall happiness of everyone. Additionally, everyone at the school is very welcoming. They all seem genuinely pleased to have exchange students at their school, and I already feel like I've known some of them much longer than just a week.
       Del Mar Academy is a fantastic partner institution for Post Oak, and I am so thrilled that we get to pioneer our exchange program with them.

       I think this demonstrates Activity and Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a fieldwork experience. I proposed and helped plan this immersion experience, and so far, it has been lots of activity between, surfing, walking, and just being outdoors.