Twenty-two students and eight chaperones, including Applebee and Southeast Valley School District superintendent Brian Johnson, traveled from Des Moines to Costa Rica on July 28 and returned back on Aug. 6.

According to Applebee, the students visited the La Paz waterfall, tried a Central American fruit called mamones and coconut water straight from the coconut. They hiked in Arenal next to the volcano, took a boat tour on a crocodile-infested river, saw macaws, crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, and even the school’s mascot — the jaguar. Later in the week, the students trekked through the rainforest crossing hanging bridges and saw snakes, howler monkeys, toucans, and wild parrots. They also rode horses through the Costa Rican countryside, went ziplining, hiked through a cloud forest, and planted trees in the rainforest.

“During the trip, students were hearing a lot of Spanish, experiencing culture, seeing new wildlife and nature, and also tasting a completely different cuisine than they are used to,” said Applebee. “It’s one of my favorite parts of my job, seeing them have those life-changing experiences.”

Southeast Valley High School students also visited the Sarchi market as well as the famous historic Ram Luna restaurant that overlooks the city of San Jose and saw live traditional music and dance. Students also visited a school where they made a donation of school supplies and band equipment, which will allow the Costa Rican school the opportunity to participate for the first time in their Independence Day parade this year.

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Twenty-two students and eight chaperones from Southeast Valley High School traveled to Costa Rica this summer as part of their Spanish coursework.

Three students also celebrated their 17th and 18th birthdays while in Costa Rica.

“These types of trips are so important,” said Applebee. “Students are constantly asking the question ‘why.’ ‘Why do I need to learn math, Spanish, English? This is part of the ‘why.’ They have the ability to travel, navigate easier in Spanish-speaking countries, make connections they wouldn’t have made otherwise, understand signs, music, announcements, and conversations. “For some students, this is a life-changing experience that will inspire their future studies and goals. It’s also a bonding experience for our students to be closer together, making conversations and friendships with other students in the same school that they would ordinarily never have spoken to. Traveling opens up so many things for students: motivation, new experiences, seeing the world through different eyes, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones, building confidence.”

Southeast Valley High School students must have passed at least one year of Spanish classes in order to participate in the trip. Students funded their trip through a spring fundraiser and also sold popular Pura Vida bracelets, which also happen to be made in Costa Rica.

“I’m so thankful that the students’ parents entrusted their children to me to take abroad and for the school’s encouragement to start having Spanish trips at Southeast Valley,” said Applebee. “I look forward to starting planning for the next trip, which the students will vote on in the fall this school year, for a trip during summer of 2026.”

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Students from Southeast Valley High School in Gowrie traveled to Costa Rica this summer and brought along school supplies to give to the schools they were visiting on their travels.