Month: July 2014

Day 9–Leader Learning Plans (LLPs)

One key aspect of GYLI programs that separates them from other programs it the Leader Learning Plan.  The LLP is a process to transfer the learning from the GYLI program back into the school or community that sent the students and teachers.  You can read more about them here: https://www.gyli.org/leader-learning-plan-llp/ The LLP has 4 key parts:…
Read more


July 24, 2014 0

A Full Circle: Year 3 from an Alumna’s Perspective

Buenas Tardes! It’s Anjelica, one of the GYLI – Costa Rica coordinators again. Today I am writing not as a coordinator of the Year 3 program, but as an alumna of the GYLI 3-year experience. 10 years ago I began a journey that took me sailing across the Atlantic in La Amistad, a renown tall-ship that…
Read more


July 24, 2014 0

Day 8–Homestay Gathering

Just a short post here to document our fun-filled gathering at the one of the farms–Maria Jose for all the the GYLI students and many of the farming families.  It was a wonderful dinner for 70 prepared by the host families to thank GYLI for sending groups to them over the last 9 years.  I…
Read more


July 23, 2014 0

Day 7–Coordinator View from Anjelica Hernandez

Day 7 – Coordinator Blog–Anjelica Hernandez One of the most important aspects of the GYLI Year 3 program is the Homestay.  EARTH university has great relationships with about 25 farming families in the community called La Argentina.  The families regularly host university students, high school students, and visitors from EARTH’s partners such as whole foods.…
Read more


July 22, 2014 0

Day 5–Faculty Blog

The morning of day 5 we had a session on waste management led by year 3 Earth University student Michele from Ecuador. We then visited Earth University’s Secondary Material Reclamation Center where all of their plastic, metal, glass and paper waste is recycled. The center is run by year 1 Earth University students. The materials…
Read more


July 20, 2014 0

West is Best – Day 4 in Rica

Salutations.   What a day! We started off in two hour blocks of tours of EARTH University’s most prized locations: The Banana Plantation and the Peri-urban Farm! After lunch, the group ensued in a two hour block of freedom, which included: yoga, pool fun, soccer, basketball, and siestas! Que bueno! Afterwards, our Costa Rican friends led…
Read more


July 19, 2014 0

East Watch Post, Day 3

Buenas Noches! Day 3 started with a transition from our previous location, the United World College of Costa Rica, to another school, Earth University. We packed our bags, ate our breakfast, and enjoyed some picturesque views along our two hour bus ride. Upon arrival, we unloaded our bags and stepped out onto the hot, humid…
Read more


July 18, 2014 0

North Watch Post: A Novel About Day 2

Winter is coming….. Anyway, this morning we did several group activities in our respective watch groups. There were four stations, and we rotated after 30 minute intervals. For us, the North Watch, our first activity was actually run by members of our group, Sydney and Devon, who talked about important terms such as “transgender” and “non-binary.”…
Read more


July 17, 2014 0

2014 GYLI Year 3 Day 2–United World College

Day 2 began with traditional GYLI circle of student and faculty working to set up our norms and community for our time in Costa Rica.   Our 4 watch groups then jumped into morning stations that included: Intro to Costa Rica, the UWC movement and UWC’s around the world, A student-led session on gender and…
Read more


July 17, 2014 0

Welcome to GYLI Year 3!

We’re only one day in and it’s already turning out to be a great trip. After a few turbulent trips from across the United States (and this year Costa Rica!), students arrived eager to start the year three program at United World College.   Reconnecting old friendships and creating new ones, students used their free…
Read more


July 16, 2014 0