The Program

After completing your Spanish courses group (from one to four weeks of 20 hours a week), you will work as a volunteer in several communities and use your Spanish skills. Volunteers have a choice to work for a social project in San José with disabled children or elderly people. Participant can also choose to work on ecological and conservation projects in National Parks.

The standard program starts with a four-weeks language course followed by four weeks of volunteering (eight weeks total). The school organises activities such as daily latin dance classes, weekly cooking and conversation classes.

The Place

San José is the capital of Costa Rica and is situated in the middle of the country, so it can be a convenient location for travelling to all tourist attractions in Costa Rica – eg. the Arenal volcano, Monteverde cloud forest. The city offers social and cultural activities, including concerts at the national theatre, music festivals, university fairs, dance clubs and all types of restaurants.

Suitability

• Ability to adapt to low socio-economic environment
• Excellent physical and mental health

Requirements

• Age 18 and 70 years old

• Some projects require that the applicant have a medium to high fluency in Spanish

Departure and Duration

Programs are available all year round. Some social projects are not available during school vacations (Dec.-Jan and in July)

• 8 weeks: Homestay half board four weeks - four weeks Spanish classes 20 hours per week + four weeks volunteering work
• 5 weeks: Homestay half board one week - one week Spanish classes + four weeks volunteering work. Only for advanced students
• 3 weeks: Homestay half board one week – one week Spanish classes + one week volunteering work with accommodation (only social project) + one week excursions: guided tours with transportation, meals & accommodation.

Short term program with excursions and longer programs are available on request.

Accommodation

Participants can live with a Costa Rican host family during Spanish classes and while volunteering in San José. On ecological programs, the park office will provide students with rustic accommodation and three meals a day.

Financial Conditions

Included: Transfer upon arrival and departure, administration fees in home country and in Costa Rica, Spanish classes and volunteer work placement, books and class material, accommodation in a Costa Rican family during Spanish classes, depending on project accommodation with half-board or full-board, activities organised by the school,o rientation and coordination of volunteer work, 24 hour emergency contact

Not included: airfare, visa fees, Travel and health insurance (mandatory), transportation to and from the National Park, pocket money

Price