Summer Exchange Programs - Costa Rica

Age Range:

Birth Date Range:

Travel Dates:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Costa Rica Summer Community Service Program

The Summer Community Service program is designed for young students who want to make a difference in the world. This is a physically challenging program, where your luggage of choice will be a backpack as you help preserve the rainforests, contribute to community development, and learn about the Costa Rican way of life.

This 4-week long program includes an equal number of projects where people and nature will be the beneficiaries of your effort.  During this time, you are going to travel with a group of young volunteers like yourself, learning from nature and culture and making new friends along the way.

Program Details

The program begins in Miami where you and the other participants from around the USA will meet for a Gateway Orientation.  You'll travel together as a group between Miami and San Jose, Costa Rica where you'll be greeted by staff and volunteers who will welcome you with Costa Rican hospitality. You'll stay in San Jose for a day-long arrival orientation where you will be given a primer on Costa Rican culture and Spanish language basics as well as tips on how to stay safe while on the program. 

All activities are carefully structured and supervised by 2 program leaders, one assigned by AFS Costa Rica, the other by AFS USA. They will be with the group throughout the program and will work with you on all the projects.

See below for a sample itinerary:

• Week One

  Your first week of service will take place at Finca La Flor Environmental School and Agroecological Farm.  This is your opportunity to learn the concepts of sustainable development first hand as you work on reforestation projects and on the organic farm. 



• Week Two

  The second week will be spent in the city of Paraiso, a community with a long and proud history. You will stay with a host family while working on a school improvement project. 



• Week Three

  Next, you will travel to the Caribbean Coast, in the province of Limon, and work to preserve sea turtle habitat along the Quelonios del Caribe, one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and diverse areas. You'll spend your time doing beach patrols to identify the arrival and nesting places of sea turtles so that eggs are protected from looters and predators. During this week, you and will be staying on-site in rustic cabins so you will have easy access to your work.



• Week Four

  Your 4th and final community service project will take place in Grecia, in central Costa Rica, for another week-long homestay (with a second family) and social service project, likely another school improvement project.

After 4 weeks of hard work, you’ve earned a rest. The last 2 days of your trip will be spent at the Punta Leona resort where you will have free-time to relax on the beach. The final days of your stay will be spent touring the city of Alajuela before your return flight home.

Meals and Diet

Families in Costa Rica stick to a diet mainly of rice, beans, corn, fruit, and vegetables. Meat is considered a healthy part of their diet, so it may be a difficult placement if you are a vegetarian.

Eligibility

To participate in this program, you must:

• Be within the age range at the start of the program (age range located above)
• Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
• Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, and environment
• Be in possession of or have applied for a U.S. passport at the time of application.

Age Range:

Birth Date Range:

Travel Dates:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Costa Rica Summer High School and Homestay Program

This 6 week program is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the lifestyle and culture of Costa Rica. Improve your Spanish and learn about community life by living with a host family while attending a local high school.

Program Details

After your arrival in San Jose, you and the group will travel together to the province of Cartago (about an hour away) for a day-long arrival orientation where you will be given a primer on Costa Rican culture and the Spanish language as well as safety tips.

Most students are placed in public schools. Uniforms are required and students are responsible for this cost (about $100). There will be plenty to keep you busy since you’ll be trying new foods, listening to different types of national music, spending time with your host family, and, of course, making new and long-lasting friends. In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Costa Rica. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.

Placement Realities

Students are placed throughout Costa Rica. Most placements (approx. 60%) are in suburban areas. 35% are classified as urban placements and the remaining 5% are rural.

Meals and Diet

Families in Costa Rica stick to a diet mainly of rice, beans, corn, fruit, and vegetables. Meat is considered a healthy part of their diet, so it may be a difficult placement if you are a vegetarian.

Eligibility

To participate in this program, you must:

• Be within the age range at the start of the program (age range located above)
• Have a passing GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Be in good mental, physical, and emotional health in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
• Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
• Be in possession or have applied for a U.S. passport at the time of application.