Teenager Program in San Jose, Costa Rica (13 -17 years of age)

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Dates: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 July 6, 13, 20, 27 August 3, 2008

Description: Our summer campus is located just outside of San Jose in quiet area near Heredia within a residential area known for its coffee plantations, between the villages of Santa Barbara and San Juan. Our school is housed in a beautiful and large high school (called New Hope High School) with spacious campus grounds (15 acres) and offers excellent facilities.

During the year, the school has about 1,200 students from kindergarten to high school and is recognized by the Costa Rican Education Ministry.

The school's facilities include 51 large and bright classrooms, outdoor large swimming pool, volleyball court, basket ball courts, soccer fields, school cafeteria, computer lab and the school campus is only 600 yards west from Cafetalera La Meseta.

Host Family: (private or shared room) 2 meals daily.

Costa Ricans are excellent hosts who love to receive visitors and will take pride in making you feel at home. Living with a host family is the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of Costa Rica.

The trip to school, is usually not more than 10 to 15 minutes away and many are within walking distance.

When students are not with the chaperone, they will stay with their host family. The student will spend time with the family and may go out with them in the evenings however, students will not be allowed to go out in the evenings without an adult member of their host family.

Your host family will provide breakfast and dinner daily, lunch can be bought at the school cafeteria or a nearby restaurant/grocery store. Your family will provide a laundry service.

Students will need money to pay for lunch during the week and some weekend tours. They might need around $60 per week for additional meals and spending money.

Credit cards (VISA and MasterCard) can be used to pay for things (when it is more than $10) or to withdraw money. It is advised that students bring traveler's checks. These can be cashed at the school.

Highlights: The capital, San Jose was founded in 1737 and has a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture. With a population of over half a million.

The streets are narrow and busy and the liveliest place in the city can be found at the Plaza de la Cultural, the city's hub, where musicians, artists, and street vendors work the crowds.

It also has several excellent museums, some great restaurants, colorful markets and a fine climate. Mercado Central is the best market for bargains; it has a range of goods including lots of local leather work, and some of the cheapest meals in town.

San Jose is the best place to meet the local people ("the ticos", as native Costa Ricans are called), they are famous for their generosity and good humor. San Jose has a very active nightlife with many nightclubs and venues with traditional folk music and dance.

Cost in US$: 2 weeks from $1870 US.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Max. 10

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application