Another New Year in Jacó, Costa Rica
Reflections, renewal, and remembering who we are
It’s the start of another beautiful day in the New Year, and like many days this summer, we’ve woken up before dawn, piled into the van, grabbed our boards, and paddled into the surf. After a couple of hours of surfing some of the best waves in the Pacific Ocean, we jump back in the van, rinse off in the outdoor shower and gather around the communal kitchen for a cup of freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee (thank you Pedro). It’s a simple morning, yet filled with joy. Then we go our separate ways, whether that be joining the Spanish teachers in the open-air classroom, rolling out our mats for a post-surf yoga session or catching up on some z’s because that early wake up call came sooner than we would have liked.
Reflect on the good: New Year, Same School of the World
While the past two years have brought major changes for our little slice of paradise, the heart of School of the World has continued to beat. We are overwhelmed with happiness at the sound of voices refilling the halls, dance parties returning to our list of “things to do,” and the smells of Maria’s cooking floating through the school.
Like most people and places, we’ve had an opportunity to reflect on the good that has come since March of 2020. We have been reminded that it’s the people, not the objects that make School of the World who we are. We have taken more time to appreciate the things that we once took for granted. The freedom to surf in the open water, gather together for a mid-day yoga class, and exchange hugs and smiles are now and will forever be activities that we’re grateful for.
Renewing our perspective: Learning Vacations in Costa Rica
We’d be lying if we said surfing, yoga, watching our students learn to speak Spanish, and capture stunning photographs weren’t important to us. However, if we’ve learned anything over the past two years it’s that our students are the most important things to all of us at School of the World.
Our students are the heart, the voice, the face, the past, and the future of the community that we have created. It’s because of you that we have been able to keep our doors open. It’s because of your kind and friendly comments on social media that inspire us to not give up. It’s because of your encouragement to evolve and adapt that we have developed an even stronger and more robust offering of activities and lessons.
Remembering to always look forward
As we head into another year of unknowns, one thing is certain. The little open-air building tucked in against one of Jacó’s tropical and vibrant streets will continue to view photographs that become memories, see surfboards heading out the gate, hear Spanish voices mixed with languages from around the world, feel the relaxation that comes with stepping onto a yoga mat, and welcome all of those who wish to experience the community that has become a family.
Thank you to all of those that have supported us, and thank you to all of those that we’ve yet to meet. We cannot wait to meet you, see you again, and welcome you into our home.
