Kevin

Kevin

My name is Kevin, I am 18 years old with a major in Computer Science and Engineering. I am from San Diego, CA and I have always been passionate about giving back to the earth. At home, I made my own compost bin out of unused trash bins and maintained it every day. I felt proud seeing the progress of the compost. I was also Vice President of my school’s Ecoclub for two years. We collected the recycling at our school (the custodians were not paid to do so), organized beach cleanups, free markets, petition signing, and environmental activities throughout the year, especially during Earth Week. I also volunteered at a food bank once a week and was a part of my school’s jazz band. At UCI I am a member of Hansori, a Korean Drumming group, and the Anteater Band. I love learning about new cultures whether it is by traveling, taking a class, reading a book, or watching a video. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to so many places. Last summer, I backpacked with my sister across Western China, from Sichuan all the way to the Pakistan border. We made many friends with people of all different ethnicities. I learned a lot about how people live and how people respond to rapid urbanization. When I first read about this program, I knew it was a perfect fit for me because it combined learning about an entirely different culture with sustainability. In Costa Rica, I hope to learn more about Costa Ricans’ Pura Vida lifestyle and their relationships with the earth, make friends with the local people, and learn about the diversity of plants and animals in Costa Rica.