Women's tennis student-athlete Jo-Yee Chan shared her week-long experience in Costa Rica with other Oregon student-athletes helping with Courts For Kids.

Prior to June 16, 4,463 miles separated the village of San Rafael de Brunka and the city of Eugene. A distance so great that the two worlds would likely never collide. That was until Courts for Kids. The gift that was this service trip gave rise to unbreakable bonds, core memories, massive bug bites, well-nourished bellies, deceptively hard "nature walks," and a handcrafted sports court.

From the get-go, San Rafael welcomed us with open arms. Just moments after our arrival, six young-ins performed an incredibly lively dance routine to kick off our stay with a bang. The youngster of the group, Rafael (5), even dropped to the floor with some advanced movements, dancing well above his age bracket. Although fairly wiped by the long travel, our heads hit the pillow in high anticipation of the action-packed days (and rice and beans) ahead.

Chapter I: Los Gringos Locos

As we awoke from the rooster letting us know it was time to wake up, we were all ready to get to work and complete this mission. Although we were unsure of where to start, what to do, and who to follow, I know for a fact that we all just wanted to jump in and get our hands dirty. As we went to breakfast, we were welcomed by the ladies with a plate of rice and beans along with other protein/veggies on our plates. In addition, we were served with some of the best coffee I have ever had, and a sweet sugar cane water that was very comforting.

We all finished our meals that would fuel us for the day, and proceeded to put on our work gloves, bucket hats, bandanas, and work boots. As a whole team, we all walked out on the work site wondering how we would get this done or how we could complete it together. The land wasn't prepared right away, and we had to level it first before we could start building the court. Despite this, we all grabbed a shovel and a wheelbarrow to start helping out. Although we had absolutely no idea what we were doing, our spirits were constantly at a high level and there was never a dull moment.

After some hard work of shoveling and leveling the land, we were able to take a break and go inside for lunch. We were served with rice and beans, but in a different variation of course! The food was always tasty and so delicious. After lunch, we finally got started on the cement mixing and the process of loading the cement mixer. We learned how to operate this foreign machine, and with the help of the community, we learned fast as a team. We created stations and jobs, such as:

A person on water bucket duty
Shoveling sand and gravel into buckets
People lifting the buckets of sand/gravel into the mixer
Lifting the cement bags into the mixer
Wheelbarrowing the cement to the court
People helping the wheelbarrows out of the way

At first, it wasn't a smooth process and we weren't able to get a good flow going, but after about 20 minutes or so, we got the hang of it and soon started to move quickly with the court. We only had about two hours of work in the afternoon, so it was difficult to get a lot done, but we were able to complete two sections of the court. As we were working each job, we took the time to talk to some of the locals and the workers such as Johan and Max. We got to know each of them pretty well just by asking them questions with our broken Spanglish, and although there was a language barrier, we were all doing our best with hand and facial expressions.

Even though we were on the job, we never forgot to have fun and dance with the music playing in the background. Everyone had smiles on their faces, and I don't think I have ever seen a group of college students so happy to be around such genuine people. After we were done with our work for the day, we had coffee and a snack to relax and wind down. We also got to know the ladies who prepared our meals, and they were all so grateful for what they had and to have us there. We also played with the kids and participated in a soccer match. Everyone was having a good time, and then we headed in for dinner.

After dinner, we reflected on the day, which included us telling each other about our challenges for the day and what we learned. We also talked about what we could do better for the next work day. As our meeting ended, we all played some card games and hung out on the playground. We also got accustomed to cold showers, which were very refreshing after a long day in the humidity and heat. Soon it was time to sleep, and all of us slept gracefully ready for the next day.

Chapter II: Numero Dos

Day two started exactly like day one, with the rooster calling our names. Most of us haven't had an issue waking up early because of the sun that peeked through our blinds at around 5 a.m. There were no complaints about waking up, and we were all so excited to work with the community on day two. After breakfast, we started the work on concrete mixing and pouring to complete two more sections of the court. Day two continued with more instruction and experience. During breaks between our jobs, we would talk to the locals about our challenges and learned about who they truly are. We met more locals as well, who made the experience so welcoming and guiding. These locals' names included Javier, Holdemar, Christian, and Brandon. For example, one of my challenges included talking to a local about how similar the romantic/personal relationship life is compared to relationships in the U.S. It was interesting to learn that there were many traditional ways back then compared to the U.S., and that a lot of people today do not follow the traditional relationships just like the U.S. Each one of us learned about their culture, communication, gender roles, games, activities, sports, economy, politics, and even the community gossip.

Yet again, just like day one, we had dance parties in between breaks and enjoyed our time with the locals, making the most of every moment. The boys would always joke with each other, and the girls would play with the kids and have a good time. Each one of us were very respectful to each other and always on alert whenever someone needed a break. Although we were all drenched in sweat, cement, sand, gravel, dirty concrete water, and dirt, it didn't matter what the conditions were, everyone had such positive spirits and never complained. All of us were exhausted and tired but regardless, we just embraced the atmosphere and the present mindset. We all knew to just live in the moment and not take anything for granted.

We were able to complete about two and a half sections of the court. After our work was done, we hung out with the locals and played with the kids. Some people even went to the locals' houses to tour them. Some of us learned how to do certain things that they did in everyday life. We also discovered the local market, where they sell snacks, treats, and other miscellaneous things. Our favorite snack among the whole group was Choco snacks, an ice cream bar with a chocolate covered coat. After dinner, we reflected and answered questions that were meaningful during our time in Costa Rica. I think most of us talked about how the community was so welcoming, always taking care of us and being so kind and helpful. They are grateful for everything they have and always put their community first. It is very refreshing to see everyone be so supportive and present in daily life. Despite not having as much, they were still grateful for everything they have. After we ended the day, we all played games and enjoyed our time.

Chapter III: Si Se Puede

Day three started as usual. I think most of us were exhausted and tired from the days before, constantly lifting heavy buckets and shoveling. Although we were exhausted and tired, the group never complained and were motivated to complete the court. Our jobs continued as usual, but on this day, we had to partially mix concrete by hand because we only had one cement mixer working. This process took quite a bit of time, because it took a village to grab all the material and mix it together with just a shovel. Despite this process and the added manual labor, we continued with joyful expressions and unrelenting attitudes.

We were able to finish the court with the whole community, and as we finished, you could hear the cheers from everyone. We celebrated with a dance party on the court with the whole community. I think we all learned that it takes a village to accomplish anything and goals are not just individual-oriented. From the kids to the ladies that cook our food and to the whole community, all the support was needed to accomplish this. The feeling that we all had as soon as we saw the last concrete pour down was indescribable.

As a group, we felt so grateful for all the people that helped and worked with us. In our reflection, we all talked about how everyone in the community lives freely and care-free. We all were so amazed by the attitudes that the community shared, including the kids, who always enjoyed their time playing outside with us and didn't care about the language barrier. It is so refreshing to see the kids interact with all of us, because back home, it is not like this. They are happy to just live and be free while playing soccer, football, frisbee, or even the traditional games. It was a very joyful day filled with a lot of core memories that the whole group made together.

Chapter IV: Almuerzo Fantastico - MONSOON

On this day, we visited a biological corridor called Rio Canas in Santa Maria. We had three groups, some of us walked for a bit while a truck took different groups closer to the mountain and forest. When we got there, we were greeted by tour guides. We hiked for about 10 miles in this forest, where we came across bridges, natural rivers, and pools of water where we dipped our feet in. It was a long hike, but we were creating memories that would last a lifetime. Our group was super adventurous and very open to new things to experience.

During these long hikes, we all have our own personal memories shared with each person as we were walking. Along the way, we also tried some new fruits and tasted some interesting lemons. One of the fruits is called a water apple, which had a sweet yet bitter aftertaste. The lemon we had looked like an orange, but it was very sour. The tour guides were able to pick them out for us. None of us cared about the time, which is such a rare experience because as student-athletes, our lives are so structured and scheduled.

After we finished our hike, we began the trek home but on the way, a monsoon came over us and completely drenched everyone. We were all soaking wet, walking with wet shoes in the pouring rain. We saw the biggest raindrops I have ever seen, and none of us even cared about the rain. Back home, I don't think I would ever experience something like this ever again, because I made the best memories on this hike. As we were walking along the trail, a truck came to pick us up, and about twelve of us were standing on top of the truck balancing while he drove us back in the storm. We were all having so much fun standing on the truck and living our best lives. Although we were all getting rain in our eyes and standing in soaking water, we didn't care at all. And I think that is one of the life lessons that many of us took away from this day: To live freely and care-free is something that we all strive for. Us student-athletes are always living for something and are constantly on the go. That feeling I had was indescribable. That freedom is something I will always be chasing for in the future. Being around my fellow student-athletes, as we're all experiencing something so unique and special, it's something that I'll never forget and carry with me for the rest of my life. When we got back to the community, we all had the biggest smiles on our faces. We ended up creating a slip-and-slide on the field and played with the kids. It was a special moment.

Chapter V: Me Gusta Nadar

On day five, we woke up early again to go on another hike to the river and a lookout over the Costa Rican mountains. We hiked for about 10 miles total and we walked the mountains of Costa Rica, seeing mountain cows and creating memories with each other. None of us had any idea what we were getting into. We kept following the locals who were guiding us, which was Max, Johan, and Brandon. We didn't know how long it was going to last or how far we were going, but as we kept walking and walking, we saw the sights and heights of Costa Rica. One thing that we all took away from this trip is that when Costa Ricans say that something is 10 or 15 minutes away, it's actually about a four-hour hike. Besides that, we had so much fun hiking to a lookout where there was a school bus that we all climbed on top to take a picture.

Finally, we walked back down to Max's house where he had an entry way to the river. We all jumped in. The river had a little pool where the current didn't carry water away as fast. We all relaxed in the river for a bit until we headed back into town. When we got back, we ate lunch together and played card games and bingo with the kids. After bingo, we all danced together with the kids and community to their traditional songs, and also some of our songs such as "Dougie" and "Cupid Shuffle." We taught them our horrible dance moves, moving our body to the music without a care in the world. We ended the day with a barbecue meal which included rice, tomatoes, plantains, carne, and a type of Spam meat. It was so delicious and we cleaned the plates up. After dinner, we reflected on the day answering questions such as what our greatest memory was and why it will be difficult to go home. As night fell, we were all so sad that it was almost the end of our trip, most of us dreading the goodbyes to the community, filled with a bittersweet heart to go to sleep.

Chapter VI: Vidas Cambiaron

Day six was a day of celebration and happiness. We were so excited to play with the children on the completed court. The community workers put up the basketball hoops and a volleyball net. We all got dressed in our nice outfits for the opening ceremony. The community shared their gratitude for us, but in reality, they will never know how grateful we are for them. Their words swayed so many emotions in the crowd. We were all so teary-eyed, hearing all the words from the community. They changed our lives for the better, and there will never be enough words to express the way we felt. The supervisor of the project asked for "tico malo," which meant bad boy, to cut the rope and we all celebrated with performances. Our group performed a song called "Riptide" by Vance Joy, and then of course our classic cheer and dance at UO football games called "Shout." After that, the children of the community performed their traditional dances. Our acrobatics and tumbling girls performed their own show of tumbling and tossing.

We celebrated and enjoyed the good food that the ladies made for more than 50 people. After lunch, we all played and taught the kids sports on the new court. It was a good time, bonding with the people on the last day. It was so bittersweet saying goodbye to the community and the kids. They changed our lives so much, and our perspective on life. I personally, have never lived life to the fullest without all the expectations back home in college. The people and the group of student-athletes that I went with changed my life forever. They taught me so much about living in the present and appreciating more of what we have around us. Back home, I think I complained a lot about waking up at 6 a.m. for weights, but to be honest, I should be grateful to have that opportunity to go train in state-of-the-art facilities. I constantly live in a headspace of future negative, which means that I usually think about the future way too much, instead of being in the present. The kids taught me so much about who I am. I discovered that I can be an outgoing and extroverted person. I was truly pushed outside my comfort zone. This part of me that I've discovered is something that I want to be more comfortable with. The people in the community have definitely pushed that side out of me, and I am so glad to have grown from who I am before the trip.

I definitely believe that our group of student-athletes has grown tremendously throughout this trip. The uncertainty during our pre-trip meetings changed the clock all the way around. Everyone was so charismatic, caring, and well-rounded. Everyone had such great attitudes and never complained. I appreciate each and every person that was on this trip. We all came together for a reason, and there is a reason why we were all put together. The bonds we have created will never be severed nor forgotten. I am so grateful to have shared this life experience with a select group of special people. Like they say in Costa Rica: ¡Pura Vida!

As the great Karl "Money" Holmes always says, "Don't count the days. Make the days count." We took those words to heart and lived on "tico time," embracing every afternoon sprinkle turned flash flood, evening game night turned morning sunrise, and 15-minute walk turned four-hour hike. The feeling of the unknown became familiar, exciting and at times, freeing. An unexpected happening was now just ordinary living. Because for Team Costa Rica, there was no time like the present.

Chapter VII: Podemos Encontrarnos de Nuevo

We all dreaded this day. Saying goodbye to the community and the kids was bittersweet and emotional. Never in my life have I ever cried so much over leaving a community that I can now call family. I made memories that will last a lifetime. I learned so much about myself and what I can truly become. If it wasn't for the unrelenting student-athletes, the amazing support staff, the welcoming community, and the kids that gave us so much love, my perspective wouldn't have changed so drastically. I am so grateful for these opportunities and I am hoping I can grow and impact others the same way this trip has impacted me.