From Westside to Costa Rica: A Final Adventure for the Class of 2025

Just after graduation, the Westside Class of 2025 set off on their final adventure together—a week in Costa Rica filled with service, exploration, and unforgettable moments.

This trip wasn’t just a celebration of their time at Westside—it was a capstone experience, the culmination of years of learning that began in preschool. From their very first days at Westside, these students have been immersed in a robust world language program, building not only language skills, but cultural understanding and global awareness. Their time in Costa Rica brought all of that to life.

Through community service, meaningful cultural exchange, and immersive language experiences, students had the chance to step beyond the classroom and connect with the world in real, tangible ways. It’s a perfect example of how experiential education—learning by doing, seeing, and engaging—is an essential part of a Westside education.

Their days were full. They made mozzarella cheese on a family farm, tasted fruit straight off the trees, and spotted a sloth with her baby—and even witnessed the birth of ten piglets. “We saw a sloth and a pig giving birth to ten baby pigs,” one student wrote. “It was amazing!”

They shoveled and hauled rocks in the heat to help build a kitchen floor at a local community center. “After a hard-working morning, we could all see the progress we had made since the start of the first day,” another student shared. “The community members then gave our group a delicious meal of Olla de Carne.”

They visited an animal rehabilitation center and prepped food for rescued monkeys. They danced salsa in the rain, learned to make chocolate from cacao grown on a local farm, and took in breathtaking views of Arenal Volcano while ziplining through the rainforest canopy. “At first it was a little scary being that high up,” one student wrote, “but by the first few sections everyone started to really enjoy themselves.”

And there were plenty of moments just for fun—swimming, playing games with local kids, and evenings filled with music and laughter. “We bonded, we worked hard, and we laughed a lot,” summed up one student group.

The trip wrapped up with time in the cloud forest of Poco Sol, where students supported local conservation efforts, learned from forest rangers, and reflected on all they had experienced.

At Westside, we believe that real learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It happens when students explore new places, meet new people, and challenge themselves to try something unfamiliar. This trip brought out so much of what we love about these students—their curiosity, compassion, courage, and connection.

It was the perfect way to mark the end of their time at Westside and the beginning of everything that comes next.

We’re so proud of the Class of 2025. ¡Pura vida!