Erick Morales Scholz

"Raleigh's programme of young people's development seemed very dynamic and intense that made other options seems too shallow."

 Erick Morales Scholz, from San Jose in Costa Rica was studying Spanish philology before joining the 2006 expedition.

The environmental project is a close relationship between myself and the conservational challenges in the national parks of Costa Rica. Each person on this project realised this and we worked so hard that we completed the work. We enjoyed a mini-trek and got to see the hidden wonders of the rainforest. We celebrated with the community the anniversary of the founding of the National Park.

The trek was the most challenging, profound and hardcore experience with the objective to teach you the real metaphor of life: keep on going. Walking a distance of 350kms, our group became experts in hardcore jungle trekking as well as becoming a working unit with only one purpose - cross a continent. When concluded, finding ourselves on an amazing beach, the feeling was extremely sublime, to know that we had the strength to complete such a quest.

The community project has been an overall lesson of the real poverty that Latin American countries have but more importantly, to see that the people you meet are the most impressive, warm and happy people you've ever met. Having the opportunity to live with a family gives you the chance to call a strange place home as you feel literally adopted and even loved for the help you are providing to the community.

The main highlights have been the great experience of meeting and getting to know loads of very interesting people that change your perspective of life. Also, the different tasks you undertake challenge your mental limits to the edge and in most occasions - break them.

I am currently studying again but I gathered enough strength to leave Spanish philology and venture myself in plastic arts with the emphasis in sculpture.

I think the Raleigh gap year I had was just enough to let my thoughts settle and let me think about my future properly. The experiences I lived on both programmes taught me a lot about myself, just enough to be able to really believe in my strength even on the darkest stressful exhausting days. I always had a creative side and it stood out when I did the International Baccalaureate with an emphasis on art. Although I saw what I could do, I still did not believe in myself. Then the Raleigh opportunity came along so I took it. After that, I decided it was time for a change. They say people who want to be an artist really know they want to be one because they are not in it for the money, but for something else. People may call that a search for the truth, but I believe there is more to it than just a simple truth.

My experiences from Raleigh have had a maturing effect on me. I now see my responsibilities quite differently because I now know that everything I do know will have an effect on the future. I cannot just stand oblivious and ignore the compromises I have made. Raleigh has taught me that life is not a competition with other people but yourself and it is only with hard determination and commitment that you can allow yourself to push boundaries to levels unknown.

My outlook on life has changed quite a bit since Raleigh. I love what I chose to do and I can do all things with a more serious scope. To always focus on self-improvement without forgetting the ones around me. All I have to say is that the future looks quite promising this way!

Special thanks to all the people that made these Raleigh experiences be one of the best times of my life.

 

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• Case Studies
• Aged 17-24 Venturer
• Host Country Participants
  • Erick Morales Scholz
  • Li Bee Tan
  • Abby Vetarapi Heuva