High School Study Abroad in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

This Spanish immersion program for teens (finishing grades 9, 10, 11, and 12) is a dynamic combination of interactive Spanish lessons and language practice while performing valuable service work and helping out the community! You will take lessons in gorgeous open-air classrooms surrounded by nature in both the mountainous jungle town of Turrialba and the beachside community in the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo, as well as the Pacific towns of Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo. You will attend classes every morning with local teachers who incorporate fun activities like playing games, singing songs, learning traditional dances, and taking cooking lessons. The service component of this program involves working directly with the local communities. Not only are you giving back, but you’ll be putting your Spanish skills to use in real-world situations as well! In Turrialba, our community service will consist of working with a local community association. In Puerto Viejo, we will be working directly with an animal rescue center at the Cahuita National Park, cleaning cages, helping with feeding, and assisting in the care of injured and retired animals.

Develop your Spanish skills in Costa Rica with the Maximo Nivel Spanish Camp. Maximo Nivel Summer Spanish Camp is a full-immersion experience that integrates the Spanish language into all aspects of the program, including community service, sports, cultural activities, and tourism. You receive 3 hours of Spanish classes per day before heading out to different cultural activities and tours in the afternoon. Activities include museum visits, national park tours, creative workshops, recreational games, and more. This unique experience helps you develop a better sense of the world and grow into a true global citizen. Spanish Camp is an experience you remember forever! Every day, Spanish campers immerse themselves in the Spanish language while participating in a variety of activities and events around the capital city of San Jose and the beach towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos. During weeknights, planned activities include salsa lessons, bonfires, karaoke, game nights, and movie nights, as well as quality time and Spanish language practice with your host family. On weekends, you take part in exciting cultural adventures and nature tours led by our professional guides.

Learn and improve your Spanish skills through full language and cultural immersion on Greenheart Travel’s summer language camp program in San Jose or Manuel Antonio! We welcome teen students of all skills, including beginners! Live with a Costa Rican host family and make friends from around the world, all while learning about the country and culture of Costa Rica. Program at a glance: - 15 morning classes a week (3 classes per day for 50 minutes each) - Schools in 2 locations — San Jose & Manuel Antonio - Classes are taught by native-speaking teachers who specialize in teaching Spanish as a foreign language - Written tests are given on the first day of class to determine the appropriate level: Elementary, Intermediate, or Advanced - Lessons involve speaking, listening, reading, and writing in lively and informal small classes

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 to gain first-hand experience in cultural immersion, marine and wildlife conservation and community development. This is a great way to become a global citizen with a better understanding of prevalent social and environmental issues. It’s also a gateway to improving your future education and employment opportunities, as you acquire soft and hard skills in your chosen GVI focus. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive in the oceans of Greece, visit the jungles of Costa Rica, or the rolling Incan valleys of Peru, all while contributing to sustainability, this is for you. This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices and cultural customs. Each project is aimed at reaching sustainable objectives that align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

This program is perfect for teens who want to learn about conservation efforts and contribute! You will travel to the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica, working with like-minded peers to protect the country’s sea turtle population. Healthy oceans need sea turtles to help maintain their complex ecosystems. Every day will be different as you assist with various conservation tasks such as scientific research, egg incubation, and mangrove preservation. Afternoons and evenings will be just as hands-on and unique, with activities like harbor patrol, hatchling rescue, and collecting and re-burying sea turtle eggs. There is so much to do as you help protect this endangered species. Outside of volunteering, you will experience incredible adventures—from ziplining to a sunset catamaran snorkel cruise. Your volunteer program in Costa Rica will be forever memorable and impactful!

We provide regularly scheduled, private live Spanish sessions tailored to your proficiency level and language learning objectives. You can easily switch between learning Spanish in person and online, as the online curriculum progresses at the same pace as our in-person lessons. You will work through grammar points, vocabulary, and engaging themes in these conversation-based, interactive Spanish sessions to help advance your understanding of and proficiency in the language. Once you have an internet connection and a laptop or tablet, you may take live Spanish courses from anywhere. Direct from Costa Rica, your native-speaking instructor will be teaching the class. Even though you may be physically separated, your online courses will still offer the same warm, individual interactions and connections to the local culture you get when you visit our school.

Learn, serve, and lead with Bright Light Volunteers in a country of your choice. Our Global Service Learning (GSL) program is designed for passionate middle and high school students, exposing them to various aspects, including cultural and social, of their host community. Participants not only broaden their knowledge but also develop a deeper understanding of local, national, and global issues. They gain insight into the interdependency and interconnectedness of people and communities, becoming equipped to act responsibly and effectively toward a more just and peaceful world. Additionally, they develop a range of skills outside a conventional classroom environment. If you’re interested in joining our movement and becoming a global citizen, get in touch with us today for more information.

Experience an unforgettable adventure with fellow Girl Scouts from across the United States! Our GSUSA Destinations courses in Costa Rica and Panama will give you an opportunity to visit remote rainforest villages with family homestays, serve local communities, scuba dive among the colorful coral reefs of the Caribbean Ocean, protect the region’s fragile ecosystem, catch waves on famous warm water breaks and offers many other adventure opportunities with each course. Immerse yourself in a new language and culture while discovering your inner strengths and leadership skills. Create life-long friendships along the way. Our GSUSA Destinations courses are open to current members of Girl Scouts of the USA. Girl Scouts must apply to participate through the GSUSA Destinations program and be between 13-18 years old at the time of course. *Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*