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Puente de las Américas, Puente de la Amistad
5-Week Language Immersion, Cultural Exchange &
Service Program
Session One: July 5th thru August 8th (35 days)
Session One: July 5th thru August 8th (35 days)
Size of group: 16-18 students
Ages for session 1: 18 to 19
Ages for session 2: 15 to 17
Tuition for 35 day program: $5,295 (plus RT airfare from Newark)
PANAMA AND COSTA RICA, THE TWO SOUTHERNMOST COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA, FORM A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS.
This journey takes us to the land between North and South America, to a place touted as one of the earth’s best destinations for eco-tourism. With their solid infrastructure and amazing biodiversity, Panama and Costa Rica beckon us to experience unique service and adventure. Our trip begins in Panama, where we will immerse ourselves in cosmopolitan Panama City. Then, we’re off for adventure! Whether we’re snorkeling in the Pacific, rafting through canyons in the fertile highlands or walking through the 17th century ruins of Casco Viejo, both historic and modern Panama will dazzle us. From there, we’ll cross the northern border and enter the land of quezales, gallo pinto, and friendly Tico culture. Our time in Costa Rica is spent in a rural village doing meaningful service projects. This combination of countries and cultures makes for one of our most popular programs!
Service Projects*
- Work on the environmental and educational programs of the Kuna Indians
- Help construct community facilities in a Costa Rican village
- Present English Language lessons to local community members
Language Immersion*
- Experience a homestay in a small Costa Rican village
- Practice your Spanish with Panamanian students
- Engage in leader guided homestay language exercises and activities
Adventure and Cultural Activities*
- Take canopy walks to explore the cloud forests of the Continental Divide
- Snorkel around the coral reefs of the San Blas Islands
- Experience canopy walks and night hikes at Hacienda Baru’s Private Nature Reserve
- White-water raÏhe Río Chiriquí
- Surf on world-class Pacific waves
*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 - Panama City (4 days) – After arrival into Panama City and a chance to warm up your Spanish skills exchanging money, our group will travel less than one hour north along the Panama canal. We will settle into the private lodge that will serve our base for the first portion of the trip. We will take a day to visit Panama City where we will tour the Panama Viejo, visit the artisan and fish markets, see the inner-workings of the canal at two different locks, and ride Panama Railway Company’s famous old passenger train along the canal. We will also participate in some informal language games and team building activities, so please come with a desire to use your Spanish!
San Blas Islands (5 days) An early morning transfer brings us to the San Blas Islands. The Kuna Indians have governed the islands since the 1920’s and have maintained their distinctive dress, music, dance, and legends. During our stay there will be time for participation in a variety of meaningful service projects with schools and other community organizations. A snorkeling excursion around the coral reefs and time to enjoy the tropical scenery and beaches makes this a not-to-be-missed destination. We’ll leave the community of the San Blas Islands feeling a further connection with the people and spectacular landscape surrounding them.
Chiriquí Province (7 days) – A short flight brings to where the mountains meet the clouds. On the border of Panama and Costa Rica, Chiriquí is a mountain paradise known for its variety of birds, flora and fauna. We kick off our stay here with a white-water rafting trip down one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, Rio Chiriquí Viejo. We then trek across the world famous Sendero de Quetzales. It is a challenge, and if lucky, we will have a perfect vista of Volcan Baru. The nine kilometer hike brings us to Palmira, where we settle into our cabins on a mountain top coffee plantation. Here we begin our service projects and for the next several days we work alongside locals on meaningful community development projects. Last year’s projects included working in an organic garden, laying foundations for homes, and assisting the local elementary school teacher. Our afternoons are free to join in cultural exchange activities with our hosts and in the evenings we take time to prepare for our upcoming homestays.
Costa Rica Homestays (12 days) – We fly from David to the capital city of San Jose and spend an afternoon soaking the local “Tico” culture with a soccer game and traditional dinner. For the second portion of our journey, we head off for our community service projects in the Pacific Region of Costa Rica. While living and working with local families fourteen days, we will work on projects chosen by the community itself. Typical projects include: building a foundation for a community center, painting and tiling a community kitchen, completing a sidewalk around the town square, or teaching English lessons. 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 (5 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 rain forest and ocean settings. We spend a day boogie-boarding, enjoying zip-line canopy tours, and viewing wildlife. For several days we challenge ourselves with surf lessons taught by professional surfer instructors. The wave conditions on this beach provide the perfect opportunity for all levels to hang ten!
Central Valley and Travel Home (2 days) – The departure is sad, but the final trip back to our B&B in San Jose, Costa Rica allows us to share our memories before we fly home. A celebratory dinner at a nice restaurant and an 'awards ceremony' allows us to reflect upon our last four weeks together. We realize that the Costa Rica and Panamanian friends we have made will always be with us!
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 "Click to enlarge Panama/Costa Rica map.")