Robert Huber
As part of UT’s Service-Learning in Costa Rica Summer 2025 program, I lived with a host family for four weeks in San Jose, Costa Rica. The course included me volunteering for 20–25 hours a week at a local organization and writing reflections and research papers about my experiences. During the week, I volunteered in the mornings and had the afternoons and evenings to explore San Jose and spend time with friends and my amazing host family. On the weekends, I traveled throughout Costa Rica and experienced the country’s beautiful nature and wildlife. I loved every experience I had on the trip and gained so much. I improved my Spanish-speaking skills, formed lasting friendships, and learned so much about a new country through my volunteer work.
For my service learning, I was placed in the CEGEA branch of Parque La Libertad. Parque La Libertad is a large park about 20 minutes from downtown San Jose. They have many programs for local residents, but my branch, CEGEA, focused on environmental topics. We hosted classes for students where they learned about sustainable energy and other STEM topics and hiked throughout the park observing bugs and plants. We also used recycled materials to create projects, toys, and other resources that teachers could pick up to use in their classes free of charge. This effort promoted sustainability and aided local educators. I was specifically placed within the gardening group. We planted and cared for native plants that were used in the park’s reforestation efforts and also sold or donated to local cities for landscaping and reforestation purposes. I loved working here and got to work with some amazing people who helped me improve my Spanish and feel at home at the park.
The park was especially unique as the site used to be a concrete plant. Many of the old structures remained yet decades of reforestation and sustainable construction have completely transformed the landscape. Some old concrete structures had been repurposed for plant storage while others were torn down and replaced by new buildings that used highly sustainable materials. While these observations were separate from my volunteer work, the park’s history greatly interested me as a civil engineer.
Outside of the course, I went on two included excursions with the program to Punta Leona and Arenal Volcano and two separate excursions with friends I made on the trip to Puerto Viejo and Manuel Antonio. These trips were amazing as I got to see a wide variety of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, frogs, crabs, peccaries, and more. I also was hiking beautiful ocean or jungle landscapes and got to swim on amazing beaches or under La Fortuna waterfall. I will have these memories forever and was in awe of Costa Rica’s diverse beauty. I also got to explore downtown San Jose and visit many museums allowing me to learn more about the rich history and culture of the country. On top of all these experiences, I loved trying a variety of foods and climbing palm trees to grab fresh coconuts. Costa Rica was amazing and I hope to return in the future.
Dawson Updike
During the 2025 summer, I went to San Jose, Costa Rica for service learning with the world language department. In Costa Rica, I stayed with a host family where I would eat my meals and then would go help volunteer in park. I made friends with a lot of local regulars at the park and made a lot of great memories as well. I also made a lot of great memories traveling the country and getting to see the amazing biodiversity of Costa Rica.
Through this trip, I have gained a lot of communication and problem-solving ability. My Spanish ability was lacking many times, so I had to learn how to communicate when there was large barrier to doing so. A lot of the work to was projects where I would be given a mission and would have to use limited resources to reach my goal. This helped me learn how to come up with creative solutions to the problems I faced.
