Ilan: After School Activities

I have been so impressed with the passion students here have for the activities they do after school. I say this because here in Nosara, there are many less options for things to do after school than in Houston, and the motivation they have to make the most of the activities is amazing. So far, I have committed most of my after school time to surfing which I am very happy with. I have been going with the other students that surf and I have been learning from them. One of the things I really like about surfing after school with the students is that they are very patient with me, giving me tips in the water, and they also help me understand the important details of surfing. From the beach it may look simple, but I have been learning how to read the waves to understand when a good set of waves are coming, and how the wind is moving the waves, and how to anticipate the size of a wave and where it will be best to surf all from the water. I would not have known any of this without the help from the students, and I am really glad I get to surf with them after school because it turns into a very social activity as well (we also surf during sunset which is amazing!!).
Today was the first day of soccer practice which is another after school activity. Although it is practice for their competitive  soccer team, the happiness and joy On the field while I played with them was something I had never experienced during a sport team practice which made me realize how important it is to enjoy whatever I’m doing to the maximum.
Just from these two activities that I have been doing after school and on the weekend, I have learned so much about the ocean, about myself, and about the people I am with and it is allowing me to make amazing new friendships I would not have without these activities.