Privilege, Perspective, and Purpose
Published by Ali Pfaff
The ACE trip to South Africa has helped me to better understand my privilege and the importance of giving back.…
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Always Pura Vida
Published by Maggie Kondrath
As I reflect on my time in Costa Rica, I’m flooded with vivid memories—snakes, enormous bugs, team games, a grueling…
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Embracing Connection, Culture, and Community in Costa Rica
Published by Vanessa Lin
“Jamma!” This is a word from the Bribri Indigenous language – spoken by one of the Costa Rican indigenous communities…
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The Other Side of Sport
Published by Riley Newport
Throughout the 2025 ACE in Costa Rica experience, we spent a few afternoons playing soccer within the community of Gandoca.…
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Beyond Words: Lessons from the Field
Published by Caroline Dysart
Coming into Costa Rica, I had a general idea of what to expect – volunteering, playing sports, and connecting with…
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Changing Pace
Published by Avery Hamlin
Looking back on my ACE experience in Costa Rica, I’m filled with countless memories of new experiences, challenges, and most…
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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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Soccer: More than a Game
Published by Julia Saunicheva
Several weeks ago, I traveled to Gandoca, Costa Rica for my ACE experience. I had expected a quiet town with…
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Small Acts, Big Impact
Published by Lauren Ingram
If someone were to tell me two years ago that I would be volunteering for two weeks in another country…
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Things That Don’t Feel That Big, But Are
Published by Eliza Straayer
I thought I knew what stars looked like. It has become muscle memory to me to look up when I…
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