COSTA RICA

SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE

Costa Rica is your classroom! Practice Spanish through meaningful community immersion and hands-on learning, all while you experience the adventure of a lifetime.

Highlights

FOR THE COSTA RICA: SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE™ PROGRAM

  • Take your Spanish to the next level through a structured immersion program
  • Practice with native speakers in an encouraging Tico community
  • See extraordinary wildlife in Marino Ballena National Park
  • Discover the importance of sustainable development for Costa Rica’s future
  • Try your hand at surfing while visiting Costa Rica’s world-renowned beaches
  • Go on an exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure down Rio Orosi (21-Day Flagship Program only)

COSTA RICA

SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE

Program Overview

Take learning Spanish out of the classroom —you’ll live in Cartago, a land of volcanoes, pristine nature and friendly Costa Ricans, all as you learn to speak the language from locals. These experiences enhance your language immersion, making sure you get plenty of practice and return home a more confident Spanish speaker. From ziplining to surfing adventures to experiencing the magnificence of Costa Rica’s wildlife up close, this is a summer program you won’t want to miss!

The GLA Experiential Language Curriculum™ integrates Spanish language learning into all aspects of the experience, allowing students to take away more of the culture, and also leave more behind. From community service to excursions and cultural events, language is given a new context. Spanish class will never be the same.

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COSTA RICA

SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE

Community Service

In the face of increased tourism and modern development, Costa Rica faces many challenges preserving its traditional communities. Volunteer with your peers on community-led service projects that focus on the social development of rural communities and the improvement of recreational spaces. Focus on the creation of community spaces in the rural town of Cartago. Develop projects in public spaces, including schools, that are in poor condition or abandoned. This way, you can leave a legacy behind that you’ll be proud of. After all, by rehabilitating safe, community-friendly spaces, we are helping to reduce school dropout rates, enhancing the abilities of children from families living in Cartago, and supporting sustainable community development.

Immersive Learning

Have you ever felt like learning Spanish out of a textbook didn’t really connect you in a meaningful way to the language? You’re certainly not alone! Enhance your language by living in Costa Rica for two or three weeks while learning through immersive exchanges with the community. Every hour spent at a service site or on an adventure will push you to use your Spanish skills, creating a fun and intensive learning environment. Take advantage of home visits with local families, dance classes and cooking lessons conducted in Spanish. You’ll better be able to articulate what you’re trying to say in Spanish when you can build through meaningful context provided by up-close immersion in the community. Also during your time on-program, learn the importance of sustainable development and discuss social and environmental issues that reach far beyond Costa Rica’s borders.

Adventure

In Costa Rica, all trails lead to waterfalls, tropical forests or unspoiled beaches. In fact, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping! Zipline through the tall canopy trees of the cloud forest, taking in the stunning vistas of Costa Rica’s lush woodlands. Take to the waves and try your hand at surfing with the locals. Experience the country’s well preserved wildlife up-close, in daily life and on an unforgettable excursion to the world famous Marino Ballena National Park. And for a taste of city life in the tropics, spend a night in the capital city, San Jose, complete with a tour of Costa Rica’s national monuments. For those students on the 21-Day Flagship Program, go rafting with your new friends down the Pacuare River’s world-class rapids.

Lodging

Home Base for this program differs for the 21-day and 14-day programs.

Home Base for the 21-day program is an ecolodge in a picturesque setting. Lodging consists of cabins spread closely to each other over a beautiful green mountainous terrain. There is a porch just outside the common area, and most cabins have a private balcony, so you can soak in the nature all around you.

Home Base for the 14-day program is a locally-owned bed & breakfast that will be only be used by our group. The B&B has shared common spaces for students to come together and the “dueña” will be there to share her knowledge, love and cooking with the students.

COSTA RICA

SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE

Dates & Tuition

Everything you need to know before you apply.

21-Day Flagship Program
Ages 14-18
2023 Dates
JUN 28 – JUL 18, 2023
Duration: 21 days
Tuition: $5,499
Student/Staff Ratio: 6 to 1
Community Service Hours: 48
Language Hours: 35
For Ages: 14-18
Lodging: Cozy Guesthouse
14-Day Program
Ages 14-18
2023 Dates
JUN 16 – JUN 29, 2023
JUL 03 – JUL 16, 2023
JUL 20 – AUG 02, 2023
Duration: 14 days
Tuition: $4,199
Student/Staff Ratio: 6 to 1
Community Service Hours: 28
Language Hours: 25
For Ages: 14-18
Lodging: Cozy Guesthouse

Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses

  • Airport pick-up/drop-off
  • In-country transportation
  • Lodging
  • 3 meals per day
  • Professional full-time staff and experts
  • 24/7 parent support hotline during the program
  • Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
  • Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
  • Pre-departure materials and support
  • Educational materials

To save your spot, an application fee and $600 deposit are required.

Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™

GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY MEALS
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Speak with the GLA Admissions Team

Admissions
Phone Number

1-858-771-0645

USA Toll-Free
Phone Number

1-888-358-4321

Admissions
Email Address

info@experienceGLA.com

COSTA RICA

SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE

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