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(For High School Students)
La Pura Vida - Pueblo a la Playa
Language Immersion, Cultural Exchange &
Service Program
Session One: June 24th thru July 21st (28 days)
Session Two: June 27th thru July 24th (28 days)
Session Three: June 27th thru July 24th (28 days)
Session Four: July 1st thru July 28th (28 days)
Size of group: 16-18 students
Ages for sessions 1, 3, 4: 15 to 17
Ages for session 2: 13 to 15
Tuition for 28 day program: $4,495 (plus RT airfare from Newark)
Costa Rica’s most popular saying, “pura vida,” literally means “pure life.” And that’s just what you will get on this Global Works journey to this land of amazing geographic diversity. From the small villages that we live in to the beaches that we play on, our experience will be one that is authentic and meaningful. Join us on one of our most popular and longest running immersion programs.
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 (4 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 Latin dance classes, and loosen our muscles with an overnight 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!
Monteverde Conservation League (4 days) - After settling in, we travel to Monteverde to work in the tropical cloud forest managed by the Monteverde Conservation League. A rigorous four kilometer uphill hike brings us to a comfortable eco-lodge, our home for the next several days. Time will be spent on a combination of environmental projects (trail work, reforestation efforts, etc.), night hikes to view wildlife, and day hikes to swim or see waterfalls. If the weather cooperates, we will have a spectacular view of the active volcano, Arenal, and adjacent Lake Arenal.
Guanacaste/Nicoya Region and Homestays (10 days) - After our stay in Monteverde, we head off for our community service projects in the Pacific Region. While living and working with local families for 10 days, we will work on projects chosen by the residents. Each of our four groups will live and work in its own unique community. 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 assembling and painting school desks and chairs. 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.
Chirripo Hike (3 days) (Sessions 1, 3) – After our homestay experience, we head back to the Central Valley for a chance to regroup and enjoy some “gringo” food and a movie. From here, our specified groups will head for a challenging three-day backpacking trip to the top of Mt. Chirripo, the highest peak in Costa Rica (12,500 feet). We spend two nights in huts just below the summit, allowing for a sunrise ascent of the summit and exploration of the surrounding glacial lakes and valleys. This hike is rigorous and takes an average of eight hours. It is achievable for everyone, so please come ready
to physically challenge yourself!
Rincón de la Vieja National Park (3 days) (Session 2, 4) – Following the group’s homestay, we travel to northern Costa Rica’s most spectacular national park, Rincón de la Vieja. Four volcanoes surround this eco-adventurers paradise, home to an astounding array of plant life and animals such as monkeys, tapirs, sloths, quetzals, and even jaguars! Here the group will stay in a comfortable lodge set near the entrance of the park. We will explore the park and the many thermal hot springs, mud baths, and hidden waterfalls. The combination of exciting activities in such a phenomenal setting make Rincón the destination of a lifetime!
Pacific Eco-Resort and Surf Camp (4 days) – Time to hit the beach! We travel to the Pacific Coast, famous for its unique combination of rainforest and ocean settings. We spend two days 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 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 last four weeks together. We realize that Costa Rica and the friends we have made will be a part of us forever.
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