Costa Rica - Summer Cultural Exploration
Programs in Costa Rica
Program Summary
- Dates: July
- Accommodation: Homestay and group accommodations
- Location: Costa Rica
- Academics: Spanish language and culture classes
- Language: No language requirement
- Age: 14–18 years old
- Cost: $5,150 (2009)
- Application Deadline: March 31, 2009
Program Details Full Brochure
Explore
Costa Rica is highly regarded as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Pristine beaches, perfect waves, lush jungles and mountains and a stunning diversity of tropical flora and fauna attract visitors from around the globe. Those who visit Costa Rica and only see these natural wonders return home with amazing stories of adventure, but often with very little sense of the true culture of Costa Rica. Intrax's unique Costa Rica program is designed to go far deeper than the normal trip to this fascinating country. With Intrax, you will not only experience the beauty and the adventure that Costa Rica is famous for, but you will also be truly immersed in the culture through language study and meaningful community service projects.
Learn
This four week program begins in Heredia, a quiet suburb of the bustling capital city of San José. There our students will live with warm and welcoming host families while attending language school. After morning language classes, you will have to opportunity to learn about and participate in many other aspects of tico culture, from music to food to dance. By improving their Spanish language skills and acquainting themselves with Costa Rican culture, our students build the foundation necessary to get the most out of the rest of the program.
Although it will be sad to leave your new friends and family in Heredia, after one week there, the group will move on to a beautiful mountain village south of San José. For the next two weeks, you will live as a group and work alongside the townspeople on projects which they have identified as addressing their most important needs. Through this day to day interaction, you will come to know the Costa Rica that most people never even see. The villagers live in the most beautiful setting in the world, among an eye-popping bounty of tropical fruits and organic vegetables. Organic coffee cooperatives help them pool their resources and earn as fair a price for their hard work as possible, but they still struggle. Whether you are working to build a children's park, reconstruct solar coffee dryers, or teach English to local youth, you will learn first hand about the realities of life for the rural campesino. There will also be plenty of free time to cool off in pristine swimming holes, dance at the local fiestas and swing in hammocks as afternoon rain showers leave rainbows arching over the jungle. In the evenings, your guides will engage the group in lively discussions and reflections designed to highlight the cultural awareness and learning that you have been experiencing day to day.
Travel
After a final farewell to your host community, the group will embark upon a week-long adventure tour to showcase the natural treasures Costa Rica offers. White water rafting through rainforest canyons, ziplining through cloudforest canopies, learning to surf on picture perfect Pacific waves, and hiking at the base of the world's most active volcano are just a few of the many adventures you may have as you travel the country.
Join Intrax this summer and have the deepest cultural experience possible–experience an exotic and little known way of life first hand. Travel to the most stunningly beautiful places on earth. Make lifelong friends and open your eyes to a new culture.
Housing
In Heredia, our students will stay with carefully selected host families near the school. Homestays allow for a deeper immersion into the tico culture and provide invaluable personal contact with native Spanish speakers. While performing community service and traveling, the group will stay together in comfortable group housing.
Requirements
- 14–18 years old
- 2.5 GPA or higher (4.0 scale)
- Flexible and mature personality; desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences
Program Information
| Length | Dates | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks | July | $5,150 (2009) | Closed |
