Description

This diverse program combines the opportunity to learn Spanish at three separate campus locations with the rewards of community service and the excitement and adventure of travel. The variety of our school locations ensures you benefit from diverse morning, evening, and weekend excursions to complement your in-class instruction. Afternoons are for study (to avoid being outdoors when the sun is the strongest), and mornings and evenings consist of adventure highlights, community service projects, touring, sports or a visit to one of Costa Rica's fabulous beaches. Surf the Pacific Ocean and chat with the Ticos to practice your Spanish skills - the recipe for an amazing summer!

LANGUAGE CLASSES

OUR SCHOOL - Centro Panamericano De Idiomas (CPI) Heredia, Flamingo & Monteverde
* Open to beginners (with no previous Spanish) through advanced levels
* On day one, you are assessed and assigned to your level of Spanish
* All instructors are certified & specially trained to teach Spanish to visiting students
* Maximum class size of 5 students
* Classes are from 3pm to 6pm in Heredia, Flamingo & Monteverde.
* Receive a certificate of completion for 36 hours of Spanish classes

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community Service Partners include:
* Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation - (CRHF) works to improve the quality of life for at-risk and special-needs populations. CRHF manages more than fifty projects throughout the country, focusing on education, community development, and primary and preventive health care.
* Flamingo Beach Community Project - The impact of recent development in the beach community of Flamingo and the surrounding area has created economic and environmental challenges for the local population
* Monteverde Cloud Forest Project - Called a cloud forest rather than a rain forest because of its altitude, its canopy is extremely rich with wildlife and one of the most acclaimed refuges in the New World Tropics.
* Receive a certificate of completion for 36 hours of community service

ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHTS
* Raft
* Waterfall rappel
* Horseback ride
* Tube
* Take a mud bath
* Surf
* Zip
* Snorkel
* Relax in hot springs
* Check out an active volcano

BONUS: Manuel Antonio Eco Resort
Visit the most popular and most visited National Park in Costa Rica. Visit the pristine sandy beaches, hike through lush rainforest and view sloths, iguanas and rare squirrel monkeys.

Highlights

Amazing Details:

* HEREDIA/CENTRAL VALLEY
Your suburban classroom close to the city is the perfect balance of culture and comfort! Explore Poas Volcano National Park and walk to the volcano's cone! Taste the famous and delicious Costa Rican coffee while learning how it's grown by the comic troupe at Café Britt. Get your adrenaline pumping on a whitewater rafting adventure! Bond with your group at a night of crazy Karaoke. Experiment with the local cuisine in cooking class

Service Project: Run programs such as sports, reading, dance, crafts and face painting for the children of La Carpio. Participate in a beautification and local development project in this impoverished town by painting murals on the walls and improving their homes and community.

* ARENAL
Visit La Fortuna waterfall and relax in thermal hot springs. View the lava flowing from this active volcano... don't worry, we keep a safe distance!

* FLAMINGO
This beachfront paradise is an ideal stop for our first classes. Sail off Flamingo beach and dive into the crystal blue waters to snorkel. Learn to surf at Tamarindo Beach - our expert instructors will have you standing on the long board in no time! Experience local nightlife at a disco and beach bonfire.

Service Project: Participate in a community improvement project; groups may be doing beach preservation or improving local homes for underprivileged residents.

* RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA
On this retreat, spend a weekend river tubing and pampering yourself in rustic mud baths.

* MONTEVERDE
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to unique wildlife and will be the base for more language learning. Hike to the Santa Elena reserve and relax in the hot springs. Walk the canopy and ride the zip line. Learn the art of Latin dancing!

Service Project: Complete a project focusing on reforestation (planting trees) under the supervision of a local guide. Protect growing plants from invasive species and plant coffee plants at a local co-op.

Travel Types

• Camping
• Canoeing
• Cycling (Mountain)
• Cycling (Road/Touring)
• Downhill Skiing
• Cross/Back Country Skiing
• Dancing
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Kayaking (River)
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Rafting
• Sailing
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Snowboarding
• Soccer/Football
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Water Skiing
• Language Immersion

Qualifications

Participants on our community service programs should be prepared to work as a team. You are committing yourself not only to hard work on service days (from 6-8 hours) but also to your fellow volunteers and those we will be assisting. In sharing this rewarding experience, you are guaranteed to form lasting friendships and will no doubt take away much more than you give. You will receive a certificate of completion recognizing 30-80 hours (depending on program) of service and listing projects accomplished.

Type of Programs

• High School Study Abroad
• Cultural Exploration
• Language Immersion
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Student Tours

Languages

• Spanish

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

3,999

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodations: All Indoors
* Plus airfare to & from San Jose, Costa Rica

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of of 18 - 21

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

360 Student Travel's Mission Statement

360 Student Travel will allow you the opportunity to step in a new direction. Travel, volunteer, or improve your foreign language skills we are here to help you take that new step by helping you keep your other foot planted. Regardless of travel style, all programs are created with the understanding that no matter what you want to accomplish during the summer, it is still summer, and the challenges and experiences should be enjoyable as well as rewarding. On our Community Service Program you'll be making the world a better place and discovering the world at the same time - ziplining in Costa Rica, exploring a glacier in Alaska, or marveling at the "Big 5" in Africa. If you're open-minded and interested in achieving goals, volunteering, and helping others, then this will be a meaningful and adventurous summer for you. If you're thinking of studying Spanish or French and want the excitment of travel join us in either Spain, Costa Rica or France. On most of these language programs, we study at multiple locations within a country so you experience its full diversity. On our Pre-College Enrichment program get a sneak peek at college life while being immersed in the culture and excitement of Barcelona. We have teamed up with the renowned International House School, centrally located just steps from Plaza Cataluna, to bring you exciting courses from Creative Writing and International Business to Spanish Language, and SAT prep with Princeton Review. Join us on our Global Adventures if adventures are for you. We offer the most unique variety of activities imaginable that encourage individual growth and character.

Year Founded

1982