Phone:
800.345.2929
TTY:
802.258.3388
Fax:
802.258.3428
Mailing Address:
PO Box 676, 1 Kipling Road
Brattleboro, VT 05302 USA
Costa Rica
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is nothing short of an ecological wonderland. Containing five percent of the earth’s biodiversity, Costa Rica’s natural environment is rich but fragile. Learn creative ways to guard against ecological degradation through activities with naturalists and community service work. Contribute to nationwide conservation efforts, improve your Spanish every day, and experience the beauty of tropical forests and pristine beaches.
Orientation in San José
You and your group spend three days exploring the San José area and learning about Costa Rican culture. Begin using your Spanish as you visit cultural sites, grab lunch at a café, and take in a soccer game at Sabana Park.
Homestay and Community Service
During your twelve-day homestay, become integrated into the fabric of a rural community. Nature hikes with host siblings, meals of gallo pinto with your family, and excursions with local students deepen your understanding of typical village life. Leave a lasting impression as you work alongside locals on an important community service project.
Sample host communities: Turrialba, Pursical, Copey, Palmares, Atenas, Zarcero, Santa Maria de Dota
Sample service projects: Plant organic coffee trees and seedlings for habitat restoration; help build a recycling center; paint and repair community buildings.
Travel and Ecological Adventure
You and your group explore different regions of Costa Rica, gaining a deeper the country’s rich cultural and environmental diversity.
Sample activities: Visit stunning Cloud Forests and discover tropical birds, indigenous animals, and lush plants; shop for beautiful handicrafts in local markets; taste the fruit of the cacao plant as you learn more about chocolate production; enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui or Pejibaye Rivers; visit a turtle reserve; hike in spectacular national parks, climb volcanoes, and test your courage on a rainforest canopy zip-line; kayak in the Golfo Duce and through mangrove forests; enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica ’s coastline.
My Costa Rican family took me into their home as if I were one of their own. I was able to learn so much about their language and culture. I will never forget the moments we shared, such as making breakfast with my host mother or playing pool with my host brother. I also felt a strong sense of community. our home seemed to be a place where neighbors were always welcome. My time as a member of this family helped me embrace the reality that I am not only a citizen of america, but also a citizen of the world.
-Joshua Lucy, Deming, Washington
Code: CSS (4 weeks)
Features: Community Service, Ecological/Outdoor Adventure
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least 1 year)
Depart/Return: Miami
Features
Community Service, Ecological/Outdoor Adventure
Depart/Return
Miami
