As PCV Crystal closes her four years of service with Peace Corps Costa Rica, she takes a moment to reflect on her unique experiences living and working in an indigenous community and lessons she hopes to bring home with her as she heads back stateside. 

Navigating through humble start-up beginnings on an indigenous reserve in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, a group of Youth Scouts turned entrepreneurs finds the sacred indigenous cacao fruit lends itself as a sweet treat and a source of essential life lessons in business management, teamwork, and perseverance!

Local community counterparts play an integral role in supporting Peace Corps Volunteers at site. 

People join the Peace Corps hoping to make an impact on the communities they serve, however, Volunteers are often surprised to find that the impact their communities have had on them has been the greatest contributor to making this the "toughest job you'll ever love."

Summer vacation means three months when many Peace Corps Volunteers are out of the classroom and responsible for finding their own projects within their communities. It can be daunting, but PCVs find ways to make a difference and build connections. Youth Development Volunteer Kerri organized and personalized a JumpStart Camp for her community in northern Costa Rica this year.

Upon arrival in Costa Rica, and as part of our three months of training before being sent to our permanent sites, all aspiring Volunteers are placed with host families. 

Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment that allows Volunteers to have the unique opportunity to spend time in their host communities throughout various holidays. While it can be difficult to be away from friends and family, PCV Tilyian brought her holiday traditions to her small, rural town for Christmas this year. 

Brothers first, Peace Corps Volunteers second, Zane and Alex grew up with a desire to travel and serve. That desire has led them to Costa Rica and Ghana, respectively.