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VerifiedProvider
4.7 / 5Overall Rating
3,289Reviews
47Programs
2003Year established

About MAXIMO NIVEL

Maximo Nivel is a leading educational travel and study abroad organization. We offer a range of programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, including Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, Native Spanish Program, TEFL Certification, Adventure and Culture programs, and more. We offer comprehensive instruction and learning, academic credit for most programs, and a fun and professional environment. Founded in 2003, Maximo Nivel is a professional, ethical, and hardworking organization dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, participant, and client. We aim to deliver safe, affordable, high-quality programs, provide the best Spanish language immersion in Latin America, improve the impact at every volunteer project site where our volunteers work, train and certify world-class ESL teachers, organize excellent internships, and help people see the world.

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MAXIMO NIVEL Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about MAXIMO NIVEL

4.7
3,289 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
2,338
4
914
3
31
2
1
1
5

Top categories

Course Instructor
4.9
Quality of the Course
4.9
Support Services
4.9
Pre-Application Support
4.8
Practical Experience
4.8
Satisfaction
4.8

Participated in a MAXIMO NIVEL Program? Share your experience now.

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Showing 1-20 of 3,289 reviews

Naomi OtisUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

Spanish Intensive Immersion

I knew no Spanish before coming to Maximo. Doing the Spanish immersion course was incredible. The teachers and the staff are all so kind and extremely patient! I would recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in challenging themselves. (Also Cusco is beautiful!)

Caden CoxUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

My immersion program with Maximo Nivel was incredible.

My immersion program with Maximo Nivel was incredible. I did six weeks of group class for four hours a day, and over the course of those weeks I had five different amazing teachers who I am so grateful for. Then I began a volunteer program working with the kids of adolescent mothers which was one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done. Throughout the entire time (three months total), I lived with an amazing local family which I know feel like I am truly a member of. Overall, what an incredible experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Laura CatarinoBrazil ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

I don't want to leave :')

Being in Cusco was way better than I had imagined (and I had imagined it a lot hahaha)! Maximo just had the best and most welcoming team, with great teachers and an energizing environment. I already had a good level of spanish, but now I know a lot more and I feel confident to practice everywhere I go! I can't wait to be back here :)<3

Tristan GrayUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Work, Study, Travel! Explore Latin America with Maximo Nivel

Interning Abroad with Maximo Nivel

incredible opportunity, not only to live in another country but also to gain professional experience and become involved with a local company in a foreign culture. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. None of this would have been possible without the amazing support and dedication of the Maximo Nivel staff. Even before I arrived in Cusco, the team took the time to connect me with a company that was carefully selected to match my interests and give me the best possible opportunity to succeed in my internship. Throughout my entire stay, the staff continued to be incredibly helpful, making sure everything was going smoothly, both with my internship and my experience living in Cusco outside of work.

Sophia ParishUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Volunteer in Latin America! Costa Rica, Guatemala, & Peru

Teaching and Learning at the Same Time!

I had a really good time teaching English to the Ticos here. While I was teaching them English, they were also teaching me Spanish which I loved. Iโ€™d love to do it again one day if possible. I think many people should consider this if they want to be immersed in culture, give back, and learn.

Courtney McCallNorthern Ireland ยท October 2026
From: Volunteer in Guatemala! Working with Children

Learning Spanish and Teaching English

I had such an amazing time with Mรกximo Nivel, and I had some incredible teachers there, Mateo, Ande, Francisco. All of the staff there were amazing, and the program itself was so great; it really allowed us to get a taste of local life in Antigua, Guatemala, as I practiced Spanish every day and got to engage with the primary school children on a day-to-day basis.

Eloise LabrecqueCanada ยท October 2026
From: Medical Internships Abroad | Costa Rica, Guatemala, & Peru!

Best internship

I loved my time at Maximo! We learned a lot about medical techniques and even got to do cooking classes. As a medical student, it was really worth my time. I would definitely recommend Maximo Nivel for an internship in Peru!

Isamary OrtizPuerto Rico ยท October 2026
From: Customize Your GAP Year Program in Costa Rica!

Introspective experience

This Gap year helped me realize what I wanted to pursue in my future. Anika and Roger were amazing and great help. The area was nice, my home stay was very nice loved my host family. I enjoyed this trip very much.

Nick JUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Teach English in Costa Rica! Volunteering Projects Abroad

Costa Rica in October

The weather was unseasonably hot with rain almost every day for a few hours. The program was great an I enjoyed my students while teaching English. I stayed for 6 weeks which was too much for me, being from Wisconsin. I would only do 4 weeks for volunteering next time. Maybe 6 weeks if you are learning Spanish and want a lot of time for Emerson.

Sammy SillsEngland ยท October 2026
From: Volunteer in Latin America! Costa Rica, Guatemala, & Peru

My time in Manuel Antonio

My time volunteering in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, was an incredible experience. I spent my time teaching English in a community project. The program is well organised and provides meaningful opportunities to contribute to the local community. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding and impactful experience. The staff at Maximo are also lovely - Anika made me feel welcome from the moment i stepped in. I would recomend to many!

John CobbEngland ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

Dayana was great!

Dayana was great a great teacher! Also great to be in a class with the students of the same level and desire to progress. I had a great time and I cannot thank Maximo Nivel and thew international team enough for it!

Elaine CatardoBrazil ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

Me fui muy encantada con toda la experiencia

me gustรฉ de todos las actividades, Recelrรก muchas atenciรณn todos los dias, del profesor y del personal. Aprendi espaรฑol porque la profesora Martha es una excelente maestra. Es muy atenta y se preocupa por el bienestar de los estudiantes. Los profesores visten de forma adequada y con sus mejores galas. Me gustรณ mucho la cafeteria; tenรญa muchos bocadillos, tanto salados como dulces, a precios accesibles. Agradezco que haya cafรฉ, leche y tรฉ disponibles. Regreso ao Brasil encantada y con todos en mi corazรณn. Agradezco a todos los que contribuyeron a mi felicidade en Mรกximo Nivel. Agradezco a Patrick, Maia, Reese, Gabby, Nico, Nora, Edson, Ni, Profesora Martha.

Ynara QuideroliBrazil ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

I really liked the theoretical classes!

I really liked the theoretical classes, the dynamic classes and also the class outside, and especially the theater. I really enjoyed the week's activities, especially conversation. Thank you to Maximo Nivel

Diego EcheverriaUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Volunteer in Latin America! Costa Rica, Guatemala, & Peru

#Awesometrip

I had a really good time! It was very interesting to learn about the culture in Costa Rica. The mariposario was beautiful. The institute is great, it has a pool!! Maximo Nivel is #Awesome I would absolutely recommend any of their projects.

Brian NagaiUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Online TEFL Certification with Job Placement Guarantee

Exceeded my expectations

The Maximo Nivel online TEFL course turned out to be one of the best things I have done in recent memory. I had been wanting to get a certification to teach English as a foreign language, and waded through lots of information and pros and cons of different programs including CELTA versus TEFL, etc. Because I was more interested in teaching in the Americas, I opted for TEFL, and because of the excellent reviews of others, I landed on the Maximo Nivel online course. The price was certainly a bargain compared to CELTA programs, and the balance between self-directed online learning, observation, and practical teaching experience sealed the deal for me. I cannot speak about other TEFL programs, but what I can say is that Maximo Nivel exceeded my expectations for a TEFL program. For the modest cost of the course, I received abundant feedback on written assignments and class critiques, and in the end I was very well supported before, during, and after my practical teaching experience. The didactic online self-directed program laid an excellent foundation, and the practical teaching portion truly synthesized what I had learned from the online component and from observing hours of classes led by other teachers. I am particularly indebted to my trainer, Sean, for helping me get past my anxieties and insecurities, to the point where I found the teaching portion to be quite fun. With the combination of didactics, observation, and practical experience, Maximo Nivel has equipped me to do what I had set out to do in the first place--teach others my native language--and to discover the enjoyment at the heart of the process.

Jasbir BasraiUnited Kingdom ยท October 2026
From: Volunteer in Latin America! Costa Rica, Guatemala, & Peru

Volunteering in Costa Rica

I spent my time in San Jose teaching English in a High School and Daycare centre. Both of these placements were extremely rewarding and a great way to experience the local culture. The project staff and staff at Maximo Nuvel have been excellent. I have found the programme extremely rewarding and will definitely do this again! A great way to see the world and give something back to local communities.

Nikki DraversUnited Kingdom ยท October 2026
From: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

Great teachers & support from Maximo

I had a great time! I think I was placed in the right level class and the teacher was excellent. As were the facilities and help from Maximo. I really enjoyed classes with Martha! She didnยดt just stick to the book but gauged my level and needs and worked with that. She was fun and funny - as well as challenging my Spanish and pushing me to improve.

Josie CrowderUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Get TEFL Certified in Costa Rica! Job Placement Guarantee

I had an amazing experience with TEFL

I had a great experience in the TEFL program. The workload was manageable and the class was very practical. The teacher Russ was very kind and intelligent. It was a great experience overall, no complaints.

Marc HigginbothamUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Get TEFL Certified in Costa Rica! Job Placement Guarantee

Life Changing Experience!

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Mรกximo Nivel in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica! I came into this program excited to begin a new chapter in my life, and Iโ€™m leaving with so much more than just a TEFL certification. The four-week program is intensive, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. The combination of classroom instruction, lesson planning, observations, and hands-on teaching experience really pushes you to grow and develop your skills. One of the things I appreciated most was how much emphasis the program places on actually applying what you learn. By the end of the course, I felt significantly more confident in my ability to plan and deliver effective English lessons. I especially want to recognize Russ, who is an incredible instructor! His knowledge, experience, and dedication to helping his students succeed really make a difference. He provides constructive, thoughtful feedback that challenges you to improve while also helping you recognize your strengths. Itโ€™s clear that he genuinely cares about preparing his students to become successful teachers, and I couldnโ€™t have asked for a better instructor to guide me through this experience. What really stands out to me is how much personal and professional growth Iโ€™ve experienced in just four weeks. This program challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, develop new skills, and discover a passion for teaching. If youโ€™re considering earning your TEFL certification, I highly recommend Mรกximo Nivel. Come prepared to work hard, embrace the experience, and challenge yourself. Youโ€™ll walk away with practical teaching experience, valuable knowledge, and memories that will last a lifetime. Iโ€™m incredibly grateful for this experience and excited to take everything Iโ€™ve learned into the next chapter of my teaching career!

Photos

Camila PattonUnited States ยท October 2026
From: Get TEFL Certified in Peru! Job Placement Guarantee

I had an AMAZING time!

I was scared to do this program but Sean is a very cool and nice teacher made me feel comfortable and confident, I loved having Sean as a teacher he made sure I was understanding all the concepts and took time to guide me.

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MAXIMO NIVEL Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Sarah Danielle Mestas

Sarah Danielle Mestas

Participated in 2018

Alumni

Sarah Danielle is a 24 years old who is currently a kindergarten teacher in California. She has worked with children ages 1-16 over the last six years...

After teaching English in Italy in 2016, I realized that I wanted to take this career path more seriously and invest in my education with a TEFL certification. I want to teach in a country that is different than America, where I can genuinely make a difference and help children to have more opportunities in their lives by speaking English and having me as their teacher.

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Ken Jones

Ken Jones

Interviewed in 2018

Staff

Ken and his partner Giovanna are the Founders of Maximo Nivelโ€”the Intercultural Center of Latin America. Maximo Nivel is a locally-based, social enter...

Today on GoAbroad we bring you an interview with Ken. Our interview today jumps into some of the new and exciting developments at Maximo Nivel. See why going abroad with this dynamic organization could be the perfect fit for you!

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Tyler Werboweski

Tyler Werboweski

Participated in 2017

Alumni

Tyler is a primary care paramedic from Canada. He has traveled to many places before as a tourist, and this experience has given him a new vision of the world.

By volunteering with Maximo Nivel, I was able to volunteer and be immersed in the culture of the city I helped in. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and this program allowed me to travel the world in an aspect most tourists never get to experience!

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Joy Lafferty

Joy Lafferty

Participated in 2017

Alumni

Joy has two sons and three grandchildren. She is a retired social worker, but she spent the majority of her career helping people with disabilities, a...

I love to travel and felt I needed a purpose, and volunteering in any capacity certainly fulfills that need.

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Casandra Fountain

Casandra Fountain

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Casandra is from Calgary, Canada. She hikes every weekend in Banff and Kananaskis. Casandra has traveled all over Canada and the United States, and ha...

The purpose for this trip was to "find" myself.

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Yijia Wen - 2016 Program Participant

Yijia Wen - 2016 Program Participant

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Yijia is a Chinese girl living alone in New Zealand. She is currently in university and planning for a masterโ€™s degree in teaching. Yijia has traveled...

I am always longing to live with a clear purpose, to make sure I am pursuing what I really want. So, I chose to go abroad to find myself. Before leaving, I was always not sure whether "I want to be a teacher" or "my mother wants me to be a teacher", whether "I want to live in New Zealand" or "my mother wants me to live in New Zealand". In my first year at uni, I have been getting to know that something you like might not be what you really like. Instead, you are just imagining "I like it. I like it." The only way to clarify my genuine enthusiasm and imaginary enthusiasm is to try to experience it by myself.

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Candace Taylor

Candace Taylor

Participated in 2015

Alumni

Candace is a registered nurse from Canada. She is currently specializing in critical care in Calgary, Alberta. A few years ago, she took up solo trave...

I have always loved traveling. I've been to several counties within Asia, Europe, North America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. I was always moved most when I traveled to 3rd world countries and saw just how much they needed and yet how welcoming and happy they appeared. I wanted to go to South America, particularly Cusco, Peru. This time I decided it was time to give back. So I applied for a volunteer mission as a nurse, which is the profession I hold in Canada. As expected, there was a very strong need for nurses and health care workers in general so the process was short and sweet. I saved for my plane ticket and off I went.

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Emily Zaye

Emily Zaye

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Emily is a 25 year old Spanish teacher from Ohio, where she has been teaching high school for almost three years. She studied abroad in Spain twice, b...

As a foreign language teacher, languages and travel are my passion. I try to travel as often as possible to improve my language skills and create new experiences I can share in my classroom.

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Katherine Trudel

Katherine Trudel

Participated in 2015

Alumni

Katherine is an English student, born and raised in London, Ontario, Canada. She has a business diploma and two years of experience as an administrati...

I never did much when I was in high school. I wasn't exactly the ambitious type. Then when my Mom died, something changed. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and see the world. All I did was work and study. Life is too short to be stuck behind a desk! At that point, I had made a list of places I wanted to visit and Machu Picchu was at the top of that list. Originally, a group of us were going to go; just a quick, week long trip. But that never happened, because there was too much work to be done, bills to pay, and never a good time.

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Gerhard Uys

Gerhard Uys

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Gerhard is an outdoor teacher from the beautiful country of South Africa. He studied communication science at the University of South Africa, and late...

I've always wanted to travel and see the world, but fear of the unknown kept me back and I slowly began to settle into a stable but monotonous job. Near the end of 2015, I realised that if I did not take action I could very likely live my whole life without ever having traveled abroad. After reading many motivational books and considering the pros and cons of my big decision over and over again, I finally decided to take a leap of faith and signed up for the TEFL training course, with the plan to work abroad immediately after completing the course.

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Maggie Kirkpatrick

Maggie Kirkpatrick

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Maggie has dreamed of living in Latin America since she began university in 2010. Once she graduated and realized she was no longer bound, she wasted ...

I studied Latin American Studies and Spanish in University, so working abroad was always the goal in mind. I have also been interested in teaching English for years, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to blend all my interests.

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Jennifer McCarron

Jennifer McCarron

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Jennifer is from western New York. She has lived, worked, and traveled in Mexico, Brazil, and Peru. Currently, her masterโ€™s degree in speech, language...

Last year, my husband and I visited Cusco briefly as a part of guided tour of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Over the four or five days we were there, I was thrilled to feel my Spanish-speaking muscles bulking up quickly. On a cab ride back from the train station at Ollantaytambo on our second to last day, I was practicing my Spanish with the cab driver. He mentioned that many Cusquenas and Peruvians want to learn English and take advantage of the area's booming tourism industry. In that dark and bumpy ride, I began planning my return trip! The clouds of ideas were forming. I wanted to learn to teach English as a Second Language, and teach it Cusco.

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Josue Alcantara

Josue Alcantara

Interviewed in 2016

Staff

Born in Puerto Rico, Josue moved to the Dominican Republic when he was four years old, later returning to Puerto Rico at the age of 13. After completi...

Since I was a child, I always enjoyed traveling. I grew up between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, traveling to several parts of the U.S. often. Also, during high school, I carried out several missions trips with churches to Colombia and Mexico. So, you can say the travel bug definitely bit me pretty early on, and it definitely infected all of me.

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Chelsey Rickert

Chelsey Rickert

Interviewed in 2016

Staff

Born in Colorado, Chelsey moved to Hawaiโ€™i when she was 17, spending many years on the island of Maui, which she considers her real home. When it was ...

I first came to Maximo Nivel as a volunteer in 2013. I worked in a childcare project at a preschool for about three months.ย 

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Jennifer Herndon

Jennifer Herndon

Participated in 2015

Alumni

Jennifer is a senior, non-traditional student, at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She had never volunteered abroad before vent...

Why did you decide to apply for an international program?

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David Garner

David Garner

Participated in 2015

Alumni

David is from Manchester, England. Although he earned a TEFL certificate in 2012, he has yet to have an opportunity to use it. David decided to travel...

I applied for this program because I wanted the opportunity to live in a different country, to be able to work there, and experience a new culture. I knew also that it would give me new skills and potentially lead to a new career in a rewarding profession.

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Christine Olijnyk

Christine Olijnyk

Participated in 2015

Alumni

Christine is from Canada. She went to school for marketing and event management, but decided to take a year off from work and go traveling, which ende...

As my favourite saying goes, life is not meant to be lived in one place. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and be immersed into a culture completely different from the one back home in Canada.

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Gabriela Pechova

Gabriela Pechova

Participated in 2015

Alumni

Gabriela is a 39 years old, worldly, Czech, living in Atlanta, Georgia. She is always eager to visit new places and learn about new cultures and sees ...

I traveled to many places, but as tourist only. I think I was just ready to take my experiences to a new level, really get to know the country as if I lived there. I traveled to India and China in the past, saw all the touristy places but didn't experience as much of their culture as I would like to. Volunteering in Guatemala was exactly what I was looking for: interaction with locals and living just like one of them.

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Jordan Parry

Jordan Parry

Participated in 2014

Alumni

Jordan grew up in Colorado and taught Spanish and ESL in public schools for a few years in Wyoming. She studied abroad in northern Chile in college, a...

I want to go to graduate school to pursue a PhD in Romance Languages. I have a degree in Spanish, but I knew I wanted to live abroad, immersed in the language and culture, and really perfect my Spanish skills before beginning such a high-caliber program. Having a degree in teaching ESL already, I knew I could get a job teaching English abroad without going through a TEFL/TESOL Certification program, but I wanted to go through an organization so that I would have a support system in my new home and could ease into life abroad with a group of peers who were doing the same type of thing as I was.

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Riley Dwyer

Riley Dwyer

Participated in 2014

Alumni

Riley is your average 19 year old Engineer dropout from the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Heโ€™s hooked on travelling and doesnโ€™t see himself returning to ...

I'd previously volunteered in Cambodia teaching English, and I was keen to head somewhere else and help out. I had previously quit university and was tired of working two jobs...so I booked a ticket to South America.

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MAXIMO NIVEL

MAXIMO NIVEL

4.7Verified

Ready to Learn More?

Maximo Nivel is a leading educational travel and study abroad organization. We offer a range of programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, including Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, Native Spanish Program, TEFL Certification, Adventure and Culture programs, and more. We offer comprehensive instruction and learning, academic credit for most programs, and a fun and professional environment. Founded in 2003, Maximo Nivel is a professional, ethical, and hardworking organization dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, participant, and client. We aim to deliver safe, affordable, high-quality programs, provide the best Spanish language immersion in Latin America, improve the impact at every volunteer project site where our volunteers work, train and certify world...

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Program Teach Abroad in Guatemala 2026
Top Rated Program High School Abroad in Costa Rica 2026
Top Rated Program Language Schools in Costa Rica 2026
Top Rated Program Adventure Travel in Costa Rica 2026
Top Rated Program TEFL Courses in Peru 2026
Top Rated Program TEFL Courses in United States 2026
Top Rated Program Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica 2026
Top Rated Program Language Schools in Costa Rica 2025
Top Rated Program TEFL Courses in Peru 2025
Top Rated Program TEFL Courses in Costa Rica 2025
Top Rated Program TEFL Courses in Guatemala 2025
Top Rated Program Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica 2025
Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Language School
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Volunteer Abroad
Peopleโ€™s Choice Award 2023 Finalist
Top Rated Language School 2022
Notable Mention 2021 - Gap Year
Top Rated Organization 2021 - Volunteer Abroad
Innovative TEFL / Teach Abroad Program 2021 Finalist

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