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Summer Exchange Programs - Costa Rica

Program

Duration

Start/End Dates

Tuition

Availability

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Summer Community Service ProgramAbout 4 weeksJune 2012 -
July 2012
$6,500Apply now

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Age Range:

15 years 0 months - 18 years 0 months

Birth Date Range:

06/29/94 - 06/29/97

Travel Dates:

Jun 25-28, 2012 - Jul 29-Aug 1, 2012

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.

Summer Language Study ProgramAbout 6 weeksJune 2012 -
August 2012
$7,000Apply now

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Age Range:

15 years 0 months - 18 years 0 months

Birth Date Range:

06/29/94 - 06/29/97

Travel Dates:

Jun 25-28, 2012 - Aug 11-14, 2012

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012



Costa Rica Summer Language Study Program

This 6 week program is designed to further your Spanish language skills through formal study while offering you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lifestyle and culture of Costa Rica.


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.


You will attend 60 hours of Spanish language classes (3 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks), taught by certified language instructors. Classes are offered exclusively to AFS students from the USA, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Canada. Class size varies by language level but will be approx. 10-15 students per class. All language study materials will be provided but we suggest that you bring an English-Spanish dictionary for personal use. Beginner Spanish speakers welcome. We’ll provide you with language assessment in the months prior to your departure.


In addition to your language classes, cultural lessons and activities will be organized by your local AFS volunteers. 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.


During the final week of the program, you and the other participants will go on a 5 day bus tour of Costa Rica. This will include a visit to an active volcano with hot springs (two days), a visit to a beautiful Costa Rican beach (two days) and a day-long tour of San Jose.


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.

Summer High School ProgramAbout 6 weeksJuly 2012 -
August 2012
$6,500Apply now

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Age Range:

15 years 0 months - 18 years 0 months

Birth Date Range:

07/20/94 - 07/20/97

Travel Dates:

Jul 16-19, 2012 - Aug 31-Sep 3, 2012

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.




About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations for AFS exchange students, with good reason. One of the most politically stable and prosperous of Latin American nations—in part because it has no army—the country is home to proud, friendly, and peaceful citizens known as ticos (men) and ticas (women). Costa Rican people are usually conservative but enjoy sharing their life and social activities with new people.


Please Note: Travel date ranges are provided to help with general scheduling. Please do not reserve any domestic travel based on these dates. AFS will notify confirmed participants with specific travel details approximately 45 days prior to departure. Programs, prices, and travel dates are subject to change without notice.



Currency:

Costa Rican colones (CRC)

Size:

51,100 sq km

Population:

4,516,220 (July 2010 est.)