Rica @ MindSay

Summer 2007 Group Quest offerings:

United Planet is proud to offer the following Group Quests for Summer 2007!

Cultural activities and excursions are included in all of United Planet’s Group Quests!

 

Cambodia Dental Quest – led by Dr. Jon Ryder, those who work in or study the field of Dentistry are invited to join this Quest to assist the children in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Volunteers will work with Dr. Ryder providing care to patients at the Children’s Hospital and will also conduct oral health education sessions for children in local schools and villages. Sunday July 1 – Wednesday July 11, 2007

 

Cambodia Photography with a Difference Quest – Dr. Jon Ryder is a man of many talents! In addition to his full-time work as a Dentist, he is also a gifted and avid photographer. Join this quest to pursue your passion of photography while providing necessary work to a community in need. Wednesday July 11 – Saturday July 21, 2007

 

China Quest –Shan Shan Nie, a former staff member of United Planet and a Boston University student, will be guiding the China Quest team. Shan Shan is currently a resident of the United States and speaks English fluently. She has also resided in ChengDu for over fifteen years. She is well acquainted with the best features of the city and is fluent in the ChengDu dialect. Volunteers will teach English to ChengDu Sports University students while learning Chinese and the customs and culture of that community. Friday May 25 - Sunday June 3, 2007

 

Costa Rica Environment Quest for students –High school and college students are invited to apply for this 2 week Group Quest to Costa Rica where you will live with a host family, work on a conservation project, participate in fun cultural activities, and visit interesting and fun sites! United Planet’s own Quest Director, Theresa Higgs, will be leading this Group to Costa Rica! Monday July 30 – Monday August 13, 2007

 

Costa Rica Construction Quest for students - High school and college students are invited to apply for this 10 day Group Quest to Costa Rica where you will live with a host family while working on a construction project in the same community. The group will also participate in exciting cultural activities as well as travel to beautiful and interesting places! Monday July 16 – July 25, 2007

 

Chile Law Quest - This is a new and special Quest being offered to Law Students and Lawyers! Led by Mr. Steve Kasher, a lawyer from California, volunteers will travel to Santiago, Chile and work with students from 2 different Law Schools. Living with a host family, cultural activities and excursions will provide you with intimate knowledge of the Chilean culture. In addition, speakers will be arranged to address issues such as Chilean politics, the Chilean Legal System and much more! Sunday August 5 – Tuesday August 14, 2007

 

Chile Home-Building Quest for High School students – High school students with Spanish language skills are invited to work side-by-side with local Chilean youth to build homes for those who need them in rural Chile. Wednesday July 11 – Wednesday July 25, 2007

 

Chile Home-Building Quest for College students – College students with Spanish language skills are invited to work side-by-side with local Chilean youth to build homes for those who need them in rural Chile. Wednesday July 11th – Friday July 27th, 2007

 

Jordan Group Quest: “Photography with a Difference” - Volunteers will work on an important and interesting Environmental project as they explore the Jordanian culture through the eye of the lens! Led by talented photographer and veteran UP Group Leader Dorcas Platt Wagenknecht, volunteers will improve their photography skills while gaining valuable insight into the life of Jordanians.

 

Tanzania Group Quest – Volunteers will work with local non-profit organizations in and around Dar es Salaam to educate young people about HIV/AIDS. This may include school and community center presentations, discussions with youth and visitations to homes where people are living with HIV/AIDS. Volunteers will stay with host families and participate in Swahili language courses, culture classes and excursions. Saturday July 28 – Saturday August 11, 2007

 

Turkey Group Quest: “Let’s Meet Where the Continents Meet” This unique and culturally fascinating quest will blend working with children at a Foster Home in Istanbul while learning about the incredible culture and people of Turkey! The group will be led by Holly Graham, a Boston-based teacher and returned United Planet volunteer. Holly will mentor the volunteer team members in creating and leading education and fun activities for the children at the Foster Home. Wednesday June 27 –Saturday July 7, 2007

In Costa Rica you do not drink tea because there isn't any there, sorry Es.

There, they have coffee with toast in the mornings. Me hermana has a cafe shop down the road from her.
Sounds like my kind of place.

I spoke in Spanish to me hermana Kim's adopted mama Vicky. I think she could understand me, but the Australian accent kind of sounded really strange to her.

Spanish: Hola, me llamo Sarah, esta mi hermana Kim ahi por favor?

English: Hi, my name is Sarah, is my sister Kim there please?

I was going to say: Hola, me llamo Sarah y soy la hermana de Kim, esta mi hermana Kim ahi por favor?

Only that would have taken too long. Vicky already said 'si' y 'si' twice when I was trying to get my sister on the phone. Me hermana has a much better accent than I do. She almost sounded like a Costa Rican when she said 'hola' on the phone.

Aparantly there's a Costa Rican version of my little cousin. When she sings, she looks exactly like her. Yes, my cousin is a keen singer. That is so cute, my cousin has a Costa Rican twin. Actually it's quite scary, if she is as boisterous as well, I didn't ask me hermana that. It's cute never the less.

Here's a post card me hermana/ sister sent to me from Costa Rica. It's huge because it scanned in like that. I re-sized it but it didn't work.

 

Well, never was much for blogging, etc. but I'll give it a shot.  The real reason I set up this account was to be able to reply to my old roommate's blog tammycamera now that she's studying abroad in Costa Rica.  Must admit am a wee bit envious of her galavanting off like that because I'd love to see Costa Rica and be able to practice Spanish in a native speaking country. 
I'll have to write more later today, because breakfast and classes are calling.

Hi everybody! I'm setting up my blog so you can read about all my adventures while I am in Costa Rica. I will not be sending out mass e-mails, so you can bookmark this page if you want to see what I am doing. Better yet, make it your homepage!  I will try and update as often as possible and include links to pictures and videos as well.  Stay in touch, I don't want to miss out on what's happening in the states!