Graduating Student Talks About Upcoming Costa Rica Trip
By Rachel Fortier | Observer Contributor
Photo from Pixabay
Araya Richard, Liberal Arts and Sciences major, is gearing up for a missions trip to Costa Rica in June.
“Normally, we will be doing a lot of heavy lifting,” said Richard. “It’s going to be a great experience for everyone involved and, from what I’ve heard, the past trips really helped these communities.”
Greg Clement, Assistant Dean of Student Services, has helped students prepare for what they will be exposed to culture-wise. Richard stated, “I feel it will be different talking about it and actually being there.”
They will take part in a beach clean-up, do volunteer work at a school, as well as work on an animal sanctuary to help out different animals that inhabit the area.
“This is something I am most excited to do,” said Richard. Some of the animals they will get to interact with include sloths, giant snakes, monkeys, and other exotic animals.
Richard said, “I’ve always loved doing community service in my own community, so it’s going to be really nice to go to a different community with a different culture and help them get things done.”
“I am least looking forward to the ocean clean-up,” said Richard. “I’ve done them before and it’s going to be a lot of heavy lifting and hot with the constant temptation of going swimming.”
For recreation, the students will scuba dive on a yacht, surf, parasail, horseback ride up a volcano, and try ziplining. “I cannot wait to go scuba diving,” said Richard. “I’m also going parasailing and maybe horseback riding up the volcano.”
Richard is interested in other cultures, which is one reason why she participated in the Cultural Festival in April and exhibited information about female warriors around the world. She explained what it is like to live in the six most dangerous countries for women. She also explained what the laws are like, why it’s so dangerous, and what people are doing to help.
“I’m excited to get all this information out there,” said Richard. “Not a lot of people know what’s going on in these countries and, if they do, they’re not fully educated on what’s going on with the women specifically.” Richard will transfer to Merrimack College, majoring in Social Justice with a concentration in Global Justice and Human Rights, where she plans to continue making a difference in the world one step at a time.
“I think it’s good for people to explore different cultures outside of their homes,” said Richard. “It’s important to understand how other cultures live so we can get a better understanding of each other.”
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