Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting the biggest lake in Central America, Lake Nicaragua, or some of Nicaragua’s volcanos or volcanic islands. Try writing a poem, as the country is known for its many poets. Put on your hiking shoes, dance through the Miraflor rainforest, and gaze at the beautiful vistas and orchids. Imagine yourself in the crystal clear blue waters around the Corn Islands!
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Nicaragua include:
- La Yuma (2009)
- Sandino (1990)
- Walker (1987)*
*Rated R (may not be suitable for all students)
Learn some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. See the ruins of Leon (which date back 500 years) or visit colonial Granada, the oldest city on the continent. Then, learn about the Nicaraguan Revolution and fighting between the Contras and the Sandinistas.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War by Gioconda Belli
- Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey by Salman Rushdie
- Stories and Poems/Cuentos y Poesías: A Dual-Language Book by Rubén Dario
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual cooking class with your travel group, or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Try nacatamales (cornflower dumplings boiled in plantain leaves stuffed with vegetables) or gallo pinto (red beans, white rice, and diced onions) for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
Nicaragua has 23 volcanos, 19 of which are active.
Meet Your Partner in Travel
Marya spent a week in Nicaragua in 1990 learning about the environment, development, and human rights issues that were facing the country and its people. She had a wonderful experience tasting new dishes, speaking with locals and politicians, and exploring beautiful Lake Nicaragua. Marya is looking forward to a return trip.