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(For High School Students)
Viva La Vida Rica!
2-Week Language Immersion, Cultural Exchange & Service Program
Session One: June 23rd thru July 8th (16 days)
Session Two: July 16th thru July 31st (16 days)
Session Three: July 31st thru August 15th (16 days)
Size of group: 16-20 students
Ages for session 1: 13 to 14 & 15 to 17 (separate trips)
Ages for session 2: 15 to 17
Ages for session 3: 14 to 17
Tuition: $3,495 (plus RT airfare for group flight from Newark)
JOIN US FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED COSTA RICA EXPERIENCE. Get off the tourist track with a journey that takes you into the las casas y los corazones—the homes and the hearts—of the friendly “Ticos”. Become immersed in this culture and the Spanish language, and enjoy fantastic adventures. From white water rafting, to meaningful community service, to surfing the perfect waves of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, this program has it all!
Service Projects*
- Work on small construction and erosion prevention projects with the Monteverde Conservation League
- Help construct community facilities in the Pacific Region
- Present English Language lessons to local community members
Language Immersion*
- Experience a homestay in a small village
- Receive instruction from language teachers who work alongside students on service projects
- Practice your Spanish & teach English with Costa Rican Students
Adventure and Cultural Activities*
- Raft Costa Rica’s best white water
- Surf world class Pacific waves
- Take canopy walks and night hikes in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Enjoy Latin dance classes
*Please note that some of the projects and activities will change from year to year. A final itinerary will be printed prior to each trip.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Orientation and Rafting (3 days) - Our experience begins in the San Jose Central Valley area B&B, where students get to know one another and establish goals for the weeks ahead. Here we will learn more about Costa Rica, take a Latin dance class, and loosen our muscles with a one-day rafting trip on one of the many spectacularly scenic rivers. We will also participate in some informal Spanish games and lessons, so please come with a desire to use your Spanish!
Guanacaste/Nicoya Region and Homestays (8 days) - After orientation, we head off for our community service projects in the Pacific Region. While living with local families for eight days, we will work on projects chosen by the residents. Typical service projects include: pouring the foundation for a community center, painting and tiling a community kitchen, constructing a plant nursery, completing a sidewalk around the town square, building a school library, and organizing field days for local students. In the afternoons and evenings, we will join in the daily lives of community members as we play soccer games, prepare special dinners, participate in a traditional game and dance night, or take short excursions.
Pacific Eco-Resort and Surf Camp (3 days) – Time to hit the beach! We depart from our homestay community, promising to stay in touch with our new families and friends. We travel to the Pacific Coast, famous for its unique combination of rainforest and ocean settings. We spend a day boogie-boarding, enjoying zip-line canopy tours, and viewing wildlife. For two days we challenge ourselves with surf lessons taught by professional instructors. The wave conditions on this beach provide the perfect opportunity for all levels to hang ten!
Central Valley and Travel Home (2 days) – Leaving paradise is always sad, but our trip back to the Central Valley gives us time to share our memories before we fly home. At a celebratory dinner in a nice restaurant we have an ‘awards ceremony’ to reflect upon our time together. We realize that Costa Rica and the friends we have made will always be with us.
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 "Click to enlarge Costa Rica map.")