STA Costa Rica 2025
EXPLORING Costa Rica
Discovering Leadership and Purpose: STA Students Witness the Wonder of Leatherback Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica
For STA seniors Faye and Evie Lewis, their summer trip to Costa Rica was much more than a vacation – it was an eye-opening journey into nature, leadership and environmental stewardship.
Evie made a last-minute decision to join the group of 15 STA students after a spot opened just a month before departure. She hadn’t planned to go and instead was looking for a summer job. “I love the outdoors, and when I heard there was an opening, I thought it was an amazing opportunity,” she said. At first, Evie hesitated because her sister Faye had already signed up, and she didn’t want to intrude on her trip. But Faye was happy to have her along.
The group flew into San Jose, Costa Rica, and traveled by boat to a remote marine reserve, where they stayed in rustic cabins on the beach. “My cabin didn’t even have a door,” Evie recalled, laughing. “Bats got in at night. It was messy, humid and buggy – definitely a few steps outside my comfort zone.” Despite the challenges, both described the experience as “wonderful” and transformative.
The students participated in nightly turtle censuses, walking the beach in pitch darkness for hours, calling out “stick” or “log” to warn 
walkers behind them of obstacles. “I got horrible blisters,” Evie said, “and had to have my feet wrapped one night.” They witnessed leatherback turtles nesting, helped dig holes for eggs, and learned about the turtles’ delicate process of camouflaging nests to protect them from predators. “Touching a leatherback sea turtle might have been be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Evie said. “It really put life into perspective.”
Beyond the hands-on work, the trip brought new friendships and unexpected ties. Evie grew close to another student she previously didn’t know well. “We really bonded,” she said. “It changed how I see people.” They also connected with graduate students from around the world, whose passion for conservation inspired the sisters’ own environmental ambitions. “I want to be a research assistant someday,” Evie said, “and this trip cemented my desire to help the environment.”
Faye reflected on the slower pace of life and the connection to nature. “We didn’t have our phones the whole trip, which was a break from how fast-paced life usually is,” she said. “You just talk with friends, take it easy, and learn to be okay with yourself and others.”
She also acknowledged the harsh realities the animals face: “After a turtle lays her eggs, she never comes back, so those baby turtles are on their own right from the start. The ocean’s a pretty tough place.” She finished by saying, “Having had this experience just makes me want to do everything I can to protect these amazing creatures and make sure they don’t become extinct.”
Both girls noted how the trip changed their view of daily life back home. They’ve begun eating beans and rice with most meals, and the simplicity of life in the reserve emphasized the excessive materialism in American society. “Overconsumption in the U.S. is a big thing,” said Evie. “This trip showed me how important it is to live in harmony with nature.”
For Faye, the trip was a lesson in embracing difficulty and appreciating nature’s beauty. “Things are going to be messy and dirty, and that’s the price you pay,” she said. “But this was so peaceful – I could do this.”
Their advice to others?
“Do it. Embrace it. You’ll be so thankful for the experience,” Faye urged. Evie added, “It puts everything in perspective – what’s really important and what we often take for granted.”
With memories of turtles, nighttime beach walks, and newfound friendships, this trip was more than an adventure – it was a defining moment in the students’ journey toward leadership and environmental stewardship.