This program offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rural communities surrounding San Miguel on Costa Rica's southern Nicoya Peninsula. You’ll have the chance to explore pristine beaches, mangrove forests, winding rivers, and scenic forest trails.

During your time in San Miguel, you’ll work alongside a dedicated research team supporting Turtle Trax’s sea turtle conservation efforts. Your activities will include night patrols, relocating and protecting sea turtle nests, maintaining hatcheries, and assisting in the release of hatchlings. Beyond research, you’ll also engage with the local community by leading environmental education classes in schools and learning about sustainable fishing practices from local fishers.

In addition to conservation work, you’ll deepen your Spanish language skills, build connections with local residents, and experience the breathtaking landscapes of the Southern Nicoya Peninsula—one of the world’s five renowned “Blue Zones.” Your journey will conclude with a visit to La Fortuna, where you’ll explore the tropical rainforest and gain insight into local conservation initiatives.

Costa Rica: Sea Turtle Conservation

Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder

Sales Wolves

While our programs are travel-based, they are not “trips.” Instead, each program is an experiential field study in ethical leadership. We call each program a “Field Study” because students are actively learning about ethical leadership in “the field” alongside our trusted nonprofit partners. Our field studies are educational, tech-free, have small groups, and use a three-phase experiential learning model.&nbsp;

How is Shoulder-to-Shoulder different from other travel programs?

The majority of our program leaders are professional educators from our partner schools. The minimum age to lead a program is 21, but most of our leaders are over 30 years old. Whenever a younger leader (Under 25) is selected to lead a program, they are paired with an older (30+) veteran instructor. All of our program leaders go through a rigorous application process that includes reference checks and a complete background check.

Who are the program leaders?

All of our courses are tech-free, allowing students to be fully present in the experience. Disconnecting from technology helps participants to truly connect with the group and the communities that we work with. Participants are allowed to travel with their phones to and from the gateway city. Once the whole group has arrived and the program begins, the program leaders will collect cell phones and hold them for the duration of the program.

What is your cell phone/technology policy?

Our groups typically consist of 10 to 14 participants, with two to three program leaders.

What is the typical group size for a program?

All participants must complete the short online application (approximately 10 minutes). After receiving a completed application, we will follow up with the reference listed on the application. Once the reference check is complete, participants will be contacted to schedule an admissions interview. Following the admissions interview, participants will be notified if they have been accepted into the program.

Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder