Traveling to Costa Rica for an entire summer, I had no idea what to expect when it came to work, homestays, and routines of everyday life. My internship at El Tablazo Farm turned out to be completely different from what I expected to be doing in country, but nevertheless has been an amazing learning experience. While most GESI students are placed with different host families, my team ended up living together on the farm – something that changed our experiences throughout our time abroad. Here’s a general schedule about how our weekdays on the farm look:
6:00– My groupmates and I wake up to get ready for the day.
6:30– Feed the chickens and the goat.
7:00– Sit down with our host couple (the managers of the farm) for a delicious breakfast.
8:00 to 11:00 – Complete assigned tasks such as harvesting crops, widening forest trails for easier access, and planting seeds.
11:00 to 15:30– Take a break, eat lunch, play board games, do homework, etc.
15:30 to 17:00– Feed the animals again and do more farm work.
Afterwards, we wash up, spend some time with our host couple, help cook and eat dinner, and have the rest of the night to ourselves. The best part is that on the weekends, we are free to travel and do whatever we want! Of course, daily schedules will differ depending on work placement, host family situation, and a variety of other variables, so it is important to keep an open mind and leave behind any expectations. Though we were placed in an unusual circumstance, I am so grateful for the opportunity to constantly learn from the environment around me and become closer to my teammates.