QV Students Delight In Costa Rican Adventure

Earlier this summer five chaperones from Quaker Valley High School and 21 Quaker Valley students safely explored Costa Rica on a private tour. 

The group, led by QVHS Spanish teacher Michael Haboush, followed a pre-determined itinerary that included such adventures as a journey to the top of the Poas Volcano, an evening guided tour through the jungle, hands-on Ox Cart painting, a soak in hot springs, a tour at 4,000-5,800 feet in cloud forest and a turn on a zip line.

Costa Rica is a small Spanish-speaking country located between Panama and Nicaragua. Known as the “Switzerland of Central America,” President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the military of Costa Rica in 1948 and has since concentrated on the preservation and protections of flora and fauna. Now, with about two million visitors per year, Costa Rica has become a haven for tourists near and far.

While in Costa Rica, the group also visited a local school. There, they exchanged gifts with the school children.  The students were accompanied by a 24-hour bilingual tour guide. 

On the last day of their week-long trip, the students worked hand-in-hand with local chefs to prepare their own meal as a part of Cocina Tica—a hands-on approach to learning. These authentic Costa Rican dishes were then presented at a “Folklore Dinner” where the students also performed the El Torito dance for restaurant patrons.

Houboush said that while abroad, the students were immersed in the language and the culture of the Costa Rican lifestyle.  This global experience was a perfect way to end the school year as the students were completely immersed in the culture and language and were able to employ skills that they learned in the classroom, Haboush said.

For more photos, click here.

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Article originally posted on the Quaker Valley School District Website. Have news you'd like to share with Patch readers? Email information and photos to   at larissa.dudkiewicz@patch.com.