Summer is only a few short weeks away, and we love getting to know our students!
We spoke to Cinthya, a sociable 11th grader who loves getting herself involved and enjoys helping others. She likes creating the best out of everything and creating good memories!
Cinthya is participating in Global Routes and Summer Search, a nonprofit that partners with high schools, community-based organizations, and families to provide mentorship and experiential education to students in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Here’s what Cinthya had to say!
GR: What made you choose Global Routes Costa Rica?
Well it started with getting accepted into Summer Search and knowing that I was going to be doing some traveling. I had an opportunity to go to Costa Rica back in 9th grade, and I got so excited and did my research, but then i got notice that I couldn’t go and that brought me down. But time passes by so fast! Summer Search came along and said “Choose from Costa Rica, Ecuador, all of these great places.” And I was like, “Oh great, I’m going to Costa Rica! I know for sure I’m going there.”
What are you excited about?
I’m excited to learn the whole new environment there…to kind of do a comparison within the United States and also Cambodia, since I have been there, and learn how people work, and what’s the slang, the food, the culture. Learn from individually each person that I encounter and learn their backstory, and just get to meet them. And then for them to get to meet me as well!
What do you think might be outside your comfort zone?
I think one thing that was a concern for me was the food because in my past experience with traveling I’ve had slightly bad experiences with food. But I’m pretty sure it is going to be different, you know? It’s a whole new, other place with a variety of foods. So I’m pretty open to try all of them and see what I like and what I don’t like. And It’s OK if I don’t like some things because I’m still gonna grow and have a good time.
That’s great. That’s a really good attitude to have.
Yea I know, positivity.
Are you nervous about anything? You sound really confident. So maybe you don’t get that nervous.
(Laughs.) Yea I get that a lot. Nervous…um I guess just the flying situation, inside the airplane, because it is just my second time traveling in an airplane. It is a little nerve-wracking going to a whole new place. But I mean I’m looking forward to it, people are going to be there to comfort me so I’m sure that I’m not alone in this.
How do you think the experience may impact your future? Meaning, the rest of high school, and looking beyond that?
I’ve had that same thought since I came back from Cambodia, because I visited villages where they don’t have enough resources, the basic resources like clean water and medicine, and all of these things are pretty normal for us and we can get pretty easily. I think visiting Cambodia and also Costa Rica (maybe, I mean I don’t really know yet!) I may be experiencing some similar scenarios. It makes me want to start an organization to go towards those villages and raise money and get them resources that they can live off, which wouldn’t make it so hard for them to live every single day without those resources.
I’ve been thinking about it, and I want to help out and dedicate my time to going [abroad] and connecting with [the people there] and giving them these things that shouldn’t be hard for them to access, but it is.
I want you to close your eyes and think for a minute and imagine your home stay in your village in Costa Rica. What does it look like to you? What are you imagining?
Well I see little kids playing around there with sticks and balls, and I see some people gathering up wood to put in a stove for them to start cooking or start planning dinner for us, because we have just arrived.
I pretty much see myself going towards the kids or the people preparing the dinner and talking to them, offering to help them or start getting to know each other since we are going to be there for them. And it’s such a nice thing that they’re having us there.
What do your friends and family think about your trip?
My parents are very excited, yet nervous and I see why they’re nervous of course. My little sister just wants me to bring her back a souvenir. (Laughs)
[As far as my friends,] they think it’s really cool that I’m going there because they’re making plans for the summer, and I’m like, “Sorry I can’t do that, I’m going to Costa Rica!” When I told them that I’m going, they said, “Wow really? That’s so cool!” and then they asked me so many questions. And I tell them “I know, it’s exciting, I want summer to come already!” They think it’s awesome that I get this opportunity, and I know, I’m very grateful that I’m doing all of this.
What’s something unique about your personality?
I’m pretty much an open book. If you get to meet me you already know that I’m social and that I’m pretty goofy. I always want to make the best out of the scenario, you know, like create something memorable that you can go back, like “Remember that one time…” and just have fun with it. I want to try to create a positive…vibe. Good positive vibes all around us throughout the trip, and just make it memorable.
Anything else you want to share?
Just that I’m very grateful that I’m going on this trip and I’m very excited for summer to come!
For more information about Summer Search, visit their website: https://www.summersearch.org!
Are you a Global Routes student, past or present? Do you want to get featured on our blog?
Tell us your story – email hello@globalroutes.org!
