Costa Rica: Language And Leadership
SUMMER SERVICE AND SPANISH IMMERSION IN COSTA RICA
Spanish immersion, community-driven service projects, and adrenaline pumping adventure…this trip has it all! Over the course of a month, practice Spanish and learn cultural norms and customs through immersive community service projects. Explore the incredible geographic diversity of Costa Rica while on an overnight rafting trip, help with reforestation efforts in the cloud forest, and “hang ten” at a surf camp on the Pacific Coast
Itinerary
Our adventure begins in a San Jose Central Valley area Bed and Breakfast, where students get to know one another, establish both personal and group goals, and begin the Global Works Leadership and Language curriculum, specifically designed for this program. Activities include team building exercises, visiting a sustainable, commercial, coffee farm, and hiking the cloudforest near one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular volcanos.
It’s time to embark on a thrilling overnight rafting adventure on the Pacuare River, one of the world’s most beautiful rivers. We get to spend the night along the river at a permanent camp utilized by the rafting outfitters.
Travel to south central Costa Rica to a community perched high in the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean below. This community is unique in it’s beauty, community spirit, and economic initiatives. Here, the economy primarily revolves around a successful community based, coffee cooperative. Here we learn about the entire life cycle of coffee production. Our accommodations will be in a group lodge and we will assist with the community in their production facility, practice Spanish, and connect with new friends in the town.
We continue our exploration of the southern region in Costa Rica with a visit to an ecolodge and environmental center near the Osa Peninsula, one of the most pristine areas of rainforest in Central America. Here we engage in workshops and projects while immersing ourselves in this biodiverse environment.
Time to hit the beach! We travel to the Pacific Coast, famous for its unique combination of rainforest and ocean settings. For two days, we challenge ourselves with surf or stand-up paddle board lessons, taught by professional instructors. The wave conditions on this beach provide the perfect opportunity for all levels to hang ten!
The trip back to San Jose gives us time to share our memories before we fly home. We have a celebratory dinner and reflect upon our last three weeks together. We know we will never forget the beaches, rivers, surf, rainforest, mountains, and- most importantly- the people we have met!
Global Works offers A chaperoned Group Flight from Newark, NJ (EWR) for this program. Airfare is not included in the tuition. Please contact us for the latest airfare pricing or visit our Flight & Travel Arrangements page for more information about travel days.
Please note that, given the unprecedented nature of travel currently, this itinerary is subject to change.
Participants may be subject to additional expenses related to entry requirements to your destination and/or re-entry to your home country. Global Works does not cover these expenses. Additional costs may include, but are not limited to, COVID tests, insurance, or other. See our Covid-19 FAQ’s for more information. The most up to date requirements can be found via links on your login page on the Flight and Travel Day Instruction form after enrollment.
Service Projects
Community Building & Infrastructure
Construct community facilities
Environment & Conservation
Work on erosion prevention projects with the Monterverde Conservation Association
Student Activities
Organize day camp activities for local elementary school children
Youth Education
Present English Language lessons to local community members
Adventure & Cultural Activities
Raft Costa Rica’s best white water
Surf world-class Pacific waves
Zip-line past the Arenal Volcano
Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's biodiversity
Learn to dance salsa and cumbia
Visit a local cheese farm
Gallery
Accommodations
SAN JOSE
Global Works Costa Rica participant spends the first and final days of the program in a small and comfortable lodge located in the mountains surrounding the capital of San Jose. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting student groups. It is dorm style with 4 to 6 students sleeping in bunk beds; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are an ideal spot for group orientation, dance lessons, and ice-breaker activities.
COMMUNITY COFFEE COOPERATIVE
Global Works has longstanding relationships with the communities where we place students and complete our service projects. This rural communities are located in the mountainous interior of the country where the primary economic driver is a coffee cooperative. The community has a small lodge and cabinas where small groups of students will stay. Lodging here is humble in nature, typically constructed of concrete blocks or wood and are very clean and inviting. Meals will be prepared in the coop.
ECOLODGE
This ecolodge tucked in the rainforest near the Osa Peninsula will feature bunk style accommodations with ample space for our group to convene for projects and activities.
PACIFIC COAST SURF-CAMP
Participants stay at an eco-lodge in southern Costa Rica located just steps from the beaches of Marino Ballena National Park. Accommodations are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by two to four students. The lodge is styled with an onsite swimming pool, hammocks, and common areas.
