LPI Global Impact - High School Study Abroad / Volunteer

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Heredia

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Please refer to the LPI website

Description: In Heredia, LPI Global Impact offers high school students a challenging month-long experience including the "LPI 2-Week July" academic program followed by two weeks of volunteer service. Students will be in the classroom for a total of 40 hours. LPI students attend classes Monday through Thursday, including Spanish Language, Costa Rican History, and Ecology. The course schedule will not be available until the students arrive and language levels are determined. All of the classes are taught for LPI students only. Class size usually ranges between 5-15 students. If students place into a class they feel is too easy or too difficult, they need to first speak to their professor to determine if a change is needed. Students also need to inform the LPI resident director and staff of the desired change. Class level changes can only be made during the first few days of the academic program. Course descriptions are available below.

During the second two weeks of the program, LPI Global Impact students engage in volunteer activities with local organizations in Heredia or San Jose. Students will volunteer for 40 or more hours. Service projects and schedules are determined by organizational needs, availability and participant skills and interests. The on-site LPI staff seek out the most deserving organizations and dynamic projects for its participants, however, LPI cannot guarantee service projects with organizations where the specific skills of each student are utilized.

Highlights: Excursions include:
* Monteverde
* Manuel Antonio
* Quepos
* Arenal Volcano
* La Fortuna
* Tabacon
* National Museum

Qualifications: LPI Global Impact Heredia places students in exciting environments where their abilities are tested. Throughout the program, participants will face situations that will be challenging - both physically and emotionally. These programs will put students face to face with the realities of Costa Rica while helping them grow personally through serving local communities. Although LPI will attempt to place students with organizations where their specific skills are utilized, this may not always be possible. Therefore, students must exhibit flexibility, maturity, a strong work-ethic, adaptability, and motivation. Furthermore, it is vital that participants and parents recognize that the service projects are designed to serve the interests of others, not the interests of the students. Open-mindedness and a willingness to serve are essential requirements. All LPI Global Impact students must have at least two years of high school Spanish or the equivalent and must demonstrate an acceptable overall academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA preferred). By the program departure date, students must be at least 16 years of age.

Cost in US$: Please refer to the LPI website

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 15-18 years old

This Program is open to American and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

LPI (Learning Programs International)'s Mission Statement: LPI, the high school division of International Studies Abroad (ISA) was established in 1989 to provide an academically challenging and culturally thorough study abroad program for U.S. high school students. Based in Austin, Texas, LPI reaches out to provide study abroad opportunities to students from across the United States. LPI works closely with fully-accredited foreign universities and the LPI resident staff in each program location in order to provide cultural activities, tutoring services, language exchanges, volunteer opportunities, and numerous possibilities for improving language performance. Through LPI, students are able to equip themselves with a working knowledge of a foreign language, earn college credit, experience another culture and explore the area around their program city through cultural excursions.

Year Founded: 1989