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youths watching cacao be ground by a costa rican man

Living a Pura Vida Lifestyle

Published by Ethan Mindlin
After landing in the airport in Costa Rica, I was immediately bombarded with souvenir shirts and trinkets with the phrase,…
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students swimming at waterfall in Costa Rica

The Pura Vida Mindset

Published by Isaac Lief
“School, church, and soccer field.” According to our host Andrey, these are the three things every town in Costa Rica…
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Student making cacao

Cacao, Community, and Change

Published by Alaina McVeigh, Duke Field Hockey
Reflecting on my ACE experience in Costa Rica, I did not have many expectations going in, but I left ready…
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Students on boat in Costa RIca

Ojitos

Published by Kavya Menke, Duke Women's Fencing
The yucca cutting stared up at me defiantly with its ojitos or "little eyes," daring me to plant it incorrectly.…
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students in boat in Costa Rica

Roots of Joy

Published by Nora Conaty, Duke Rowing
I find it difficult to reflect on two weeks' worth of experiences in a couple of paragraphs, but I will…
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group photo in Costa Rica

Connected

Published by Ally Neiders, Duke Women's Track & Field
I have done service work before but nothing like what I experienced on the ACE in Costa Rica program. This…
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