{"id":979,"date":"2023-06-06T14:26:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T21:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/?page_id=979"},"modified":"2026-07-09T10:30:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T17:30:03","slug":"costa-rica-experience","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/costa-rica-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Costa Rica Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"459\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/12\/costarica-mtn-900x459-1.jpg\" alt=\"Blue haze over the verdant green mountains in the distance with lush tropical foliage in the foreground.\" class=\"wp-image-1869 img-fluid \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/12\/costarica-mtn-900x459-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/12\/costarica-mtn-900x459-1-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/12\/costarica-mtn-900x459-1-768x392.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>HLTH 297 Winter 2027 plus a nine-day Costa Rica adventure March 25-April 2, <\/strong>2027<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-lead lead\">A collaboration between the Wellness Center, the Office of Sustainability, and Earth Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Health 297 Global Wellness, which meets once a week in Winter Quarter, prepares students for the nine-day trip to Costa Rica in March. Explore Costa Rica while learning and experiencing the lifestyle and cultural attributes that make the Nicoya Peninsula one of Five Global &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluezones.com\/explorations\/nicoya-costa-rica\/\">Blue Zones<\/a>&#8220;.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-row row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-column col-md\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2022\/07\/SESF-group-van-photo_exp-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Group van selfie\" class=\"wp-image-423 img-fluid \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2022\/07\/SESF-group-van-photo_exp-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2022\/07\/SESF-group-van-photo_exp-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2022\/07\/SESF-group-van-photo_exp-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2022\/07\/SESF-group-van-photo_exp-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2022\/07\/SESF-group-van-photo_exp-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-column col-md\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/boat-trip-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Students and staff in orange life vests enjoying an outboard boat trip.\" class=\"wp-image-1021 img-fluid \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/boat-trip-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/boat-trip-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/boat-trip-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/boat-trip-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/boat-trip-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nine-day trip includes time exploring the beach and trails of the Nicoya Peninsula as well as travel to the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest.&nbsp;Share this experience with fellow BC students who are learning to help our community and to leverage their future professions to be more mindful of well-being and the individual and societal choices affecting our lives and longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"756\" height=\"427\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1016 img-fluid \" alt=\"World Economic Forum map of the current Blue Zones.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/bluezone.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/bluezone.jpg 756w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/bluezone-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 756px) 100vw, 756px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-10 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Want to learn more about Blue Zones?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluezones.com\/explorations\/nicoya-costa-rica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NIcoya, Costa Rica, a Latin American Blue Zone<\/a>&nbsp;(link opens in new tab)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue Zones Founder Dan Buettner explains&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100\/up-next\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to live to be 100+ in this TED Talk about Blue Zones<\/a> (link opens in new tab)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluezones.com\/2016\/11\/power-9\/\">Blue Zones Power 9, Lifestyle Habits of the World\u2019s Healthiest, Longest-Lived People<\/a> (link opens in new tab<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"793\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/zdenek-machacek-XUFMiGkv-60-unsplash-1024x793.jpg\" alt=\"Keel-billed Toucan, one of several species of Toucan in Costa Rica\" class=\"wp-image-1006 size-full img-fluid \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/zdenek-machacek-XUFMiGkv-60-unsplash-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/zdenek-machacek-XUFMiGkv-60-unsplash-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/zdenek-machacek-XUFMiGkv-60-unsplash-768x595.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/zdenek-machacek-XUFMiGkv-60-unsplash-1536x1190.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/zdenek-machacek-XUFMiGkv-60-unsplash-2048x1587.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trip Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;1&nbsp;Hola Tamarindo<\/strong>. Meet your tour director, travel to Tamarindo and check into hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;2<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Tamarindo<\/strong>. Catamaran cruise &amp; snorkeling excursion, Sea Turtle Evening Nesting Tour (pending availability.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;3<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong> Tamarindo \u2010 Arenal.<\/strong> Travel to Arenal. Hanging Bridges excursion. Baldi Hot Springs visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;4<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Arenal.<\/strong> Arenal Volcano National Park visit. Coffee and Chocolate Tour at La Finca. Lake Arenal kayaking tour.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-217-of-245-exp-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Trees along a stream bank with roots exposed by erosion.\" class=\"wp-image-1739 size-full img-fluid \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-217-of-245-exp-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-217-of-245-exp-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-217-of-245-exp-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-217-of-245-exp-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-217-of-245-exp-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;5&nbsp;Arenal &#8211; Monteverde<\/strong>. Travel to Monteverde. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve night walk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;6&nbsp;Monteverde<\/strong>. Canopy Zipline tour. Santa Elena Biological Reserve visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<strong>Day&nbsp;7&nbsp;Monteverde &#8211; Nosara<\/strong>. Group arranged work sessions. Beach time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day&nbsp;8&nbsp;Nosara. <\/strong>Group arranged work session. Beach time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day 9 End Tour.<\/strong> Travel to Liberia; flight home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3437\" height=\"2291\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1031 img-fluid \" alt=\"Puntarenas province\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash.jpg 3437w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2023\/05\/james-ting-0L1NA9DMdrw-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3437px) 100vw, 3437px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-20 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Eligibility and How to Apply<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twelve students will be selected for this opportunity, which includes all tuition and travel expenses. Room, board, airfare and transportation in Costa Rica are provided. BC students over the age of 18 may apply. <strong><em>Note: <\/em>Deadline to apply is November 15, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-54-of-245-exp-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Towering shrubs.\" class=\"wp-image-1740 size-full img-fluid \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-54-of-245-exp-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-54-of-245-exp-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-54-of-245-exp-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-54-of-245-exp-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-54-of-245-exp-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eligibility Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Must be over 18 by travel date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Educational focus in Sustainability, Wellness Promotion or Outdoor Recreation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking at least 10 credits in Winter 2027 (not including HLTH 297 Global Wellness &#8212; which is included in the award)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrollment in HLTH 297 Winter 2027; three-credit Global Wellness. (Tuition included in the award)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Research&nbsp;one or more Blue Zone attributes of Costa Rica and share findings in both written and oral formats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Present research\/experiential learning project during&nbsp;Earth month 2027; group and individual presentation requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As part of HLTH 297 and the Costa Rica Experience, you\u2019ll write a&nbsp;reflective narrative about how the trip changed your awareness of sustainable practices and how it will change your own personal lifestyle choices moving forward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volunteer four to eight hours during Earth Month 2027, April 5 \u2013 30.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attend all pre- and post-trip&nbsp;meetings, no exceptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2024\/10\/cr-174-of-245-exp.jpg\" alt=\"Neighborhood scene.\" class=\"wp-image-1747 size-full img-fluid \" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Complete the Application<\/strong>, which includes essays about expected learning outcomes and how you will use the experience to promote greater participation in reducing personal carbon footprints and increase student and employee wellness on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Essay Questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Describe what you anticipate learning on this trip that relates to the following sustainability statement: &#8220;Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Describe one measurable outcome of this opportunity that will directly benefit awareness and action of sustainability efforts on our campus. In your career choice, present some challenges that the profession faces related to sustainability. How will you use this experience to promote greater participation in reducing your personal carbon footprint and increase student and employee wellness on campus?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How will this learning experience help you personally improve sustainable and wellness behaviors? Be specific about aspects of your daily life that you are ready and willing to make changes to.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-button\"><a class=\"btn btn-info btn-block btn-lg \" href=\"https:\/\/forms.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/apply-costa-rica\/\" aria-disabled=\"false\">Apply now!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions about the Costa Rica Experience?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please contact <a href=\"mailto:peter.prescott@bellevuecollege.edu\">Peter Prescott<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HLTH 297 Winter 2027 plus a nine-day Costa Rica adventure March 25-April 2, 2027 A collaboration between the Wellness Center, the Office of Sustainability, and Earth Month. Health 297 Global Wellness, which meets once a week in Winter Quarter, prepares students for the nine-day trip to Costa Rica in March. Explore Costa Rica while learning <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/costa-rica-experience\/\">...more about Costa Rica Experience<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-979","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=979"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2478,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/979\/revisions\/2478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/wellnesscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}