Description

The LPI Global Impact program in July offers students a challenging month-long experience including the "LPI 2-Week July" academic program followed by two weeks of volunteer service. Students will be in the classroom for a total of 40 hours. LPI students attend classes Monday through Thursday, including Spanish Language, Grammar and Conversation. The course schedule will not be available until the students arrive and language levels are determined. All of the classes are taught for LPI students only. Class size usually ranges between 5-15 students. During the second two weeks of the program, LPI Global Impact students engage in volunteer activities with local organizations in Heredia or San Jose. Students will volunteer for 40 or more hours. Service projects and schedules are determined by organizational needs, availability and participant skills and interests. The on-site LPI staff seek out the most deserving organizations and dynamic projects for its participants, however, LPI cannot guarantee service projects with organizations where the specific skills of each student are utilized.

LPI Global Impact Spring Break week-long programs focus only on volunteer service and do not include academic coursework at the university.

Highlights

Excursions include:
* Monteverde
* Dominical and Marino Ballena
* Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna
* Pacuare River - optional white water rafting
* Isla Tortuga - optional

Qualifications

LPI Global Impact Heredia places students in exciting environments where their abilities are tested. Throughout the program, participants will face situations that will be challenging - both physically and emotionally. These programs will put students face to face with the realities of Costa Rica while helping them grow personally through serving the local community. Although LPI will attempt to place students with organizations where their specific skills are utilized, this may not always be possible. Therefore, students must exhibit flexibility, maturity, a strong work-ethic, adaptability, and motivation. Furthermore, it is vital that participants and parents recognize that the service projects are designed to serve the interests of others, not the interests of the students. Open-mindedness and a willingness to serve are essential requirements. All LPI Global Impact students must have at least two years of high school Spanish or the equivalent and must demonstrate an acceptable overall academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA preferred). By the program departure date, students must be at least 16 years of age.

Type of Programs

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

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Prices vary for each program, please refer to the LPI website

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance

Program Fees Include:

* Tuition & Books
* Room and Board
* Airport Reception
* Hotel & Ground Transportation
* 2-3 Cultural Activities per week
* Weekend Excursions Excursions
* Entrance Fees & Guided Tours
* Daily Activities & Excursions
* Full-Time U.S. Staff & Resident Staff Abroad
* On-Site LPI Office with Computer Lab and Internet Access
* Academic Credits / Transcript (except for Spring Break)
* International Medical Insurance (USD500,000 coverage)
* Tutorial Assistance
* Language Exchanges
* Community Service Hours/Certificate

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

15-18 years old

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

LPI (Learning Programs International)'s Mission Statement

LPI, the high school division of International Studies Abroad (ISA) was established in 1989 to provide an academically challenging and culturally thorough study abroad program for U.S. high school students. Based in Austin, Texas, LPI reaches out to provide study abroad opportunities to students from across the United States. LPI works closely with fully-accredited foreign universities and the LPI resident staff in each program location in order to provide cultural activities, tutoring services, language exchanges, volunteer opportunities, and numerous possibilities for improving language performance. Through LPI, students are able to equip themselves with a working knowledge of a foreign language, earn college credit, experience another culture and explore the area around their program city through cultural excursions.

Year Founded

1989