Reflecting on my ACE experience in Costa Rica, I did not have many expectations going in, but I left ready to embrace whatever came my way. Stepping into such a remote setting and adapting to unfamiliar living conditions initially made me nervous. However, looking back, I am incredibly thankful for this experience in Costa Rica. I think that the biggest positive of going on a service experience such as this was the fact that I branched so far out of my comfort zone. The environment I was in, the work we did, the people I interacted with, were unlike anything I have ever experienced. The benefits of pushing myself to take part in something so different than what I am used to offered insights into a new lifestyle, helped me forge connections with the community and my group, and provided me with a new perspective on life.
Stepping into such a remote setting and adapting to unfamiliar living conditions initially made me nervous. However, looking back, I am incredibly thankful for this experience in Costa Rica.
The community of Gandoca, with its warm, close-knit atmosphere, welcomed us happily. The residents were kind and were all excited to meet us. Throughout the two weeks, they treated us like extended family. Immersing ourselves in their daily routines, whether on cacao farms, soccer fields, or in schools, gave me an understanding of the difficult labor they endure. Even as a group of highly skilled athletes, we all agreed that some of the work, whether it be raking or cutting down branches in cacao farms, was arguably the most arduous tasks we have ever completed. Additionally, we learned about their emphasis on education and how difficult it was for many of the people in the older generations to access educational opportunities. Hearing that they would walk hours a day to and from school truly stuck with me. I learned that they all fought to get an education and prioritized it, while still keeping up with their tasks in Gandoca around their homes.
Another significant highlight was the bonds we formed both within our group and with the local community. The staff at Casa Tucan embraced us immediately. They eagerly spoke with us, taught us Spanish, played games with us, and most importantly shared their traditions with our group. One day we spent with them, we learned how to make traditional Costa Rican tamales, a tradition done each year with families around Christmas time. We also processed cacao from their farms into chocolate. I felt so lucky to take part in their family and gain an insight into their culture. We could tell how close the entire community was through playing in a soccer tournament that lasted six hours. The entire town was there, accompanied by good food and music to raise money for the local high school. It was truly one of the most fun days of my life. By the end of our two weeks, we were all so sad to say goodbye. I feel so lucky to have met the Casa Tucan staff and to have learned so much from them. I will forever be impressed by their ability to spy a sloth, snake, or any animal in a distant tree and their vast knowledge of all of the wildlife we came across. I also credit ACE for providing me with a group of other student-athletes at Duke who I gladly call my friends now. Though I did not know many of the other people in my group before, participating in a trip such as this has bonded us in a very unique way. We are all looking forward to returning to campus and being around our newfound friends.
Above all, this journey instilled in me a new perspective on life. The rigors of being a student-athlete at Duke are demanding, but witnessing a part of the world where people work daily on cacao or banana plantations reminds me of the insignificance of my worries at Duke.
Above all, this journey instilled in me a new perspective on life. The rigors of being a student-athlete at Duke are demanding, but witnessing a part of the world where people work daily on cacao or banana plantations reminds me of the insignificance of my worries at Duke. Though being an athlete is difficult, I know how lucky I am to be able to play my sport every day while also receiving an amazing education. I have a deep sense of gratitude for the privileges I enjoy, from attending Duke to having access to amenities like running water and air conditioning at all times. This experience reminded me that every aspect of my life is a blessing and to embrace all the opportunities before me.