Nestling between its tropical Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Costa Rica is one of the most breath-taking countries in the world. Travel to this tropical paradise and take part in a community development project that will fully integrate you into the local community and leave you forever in love with the people, landscapes, beaches, rainforests, volcanoes and wildlife that this magical destination has to offer. Teaching English in local schools will give you a real insight into Costa Rican culture, and extracurricular trips around the villages and towns will immerse you in a world of adventure sports, tremendous natural beauty, great food, lively music and laid-back people.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
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Discover a land of intense beauty and colourful culture
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Earn your TEFL certificate for free!
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Help improve the lives of local children and communities
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Location |
Costa Rica |
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Activities |
Teaching English
Getting involved in extracurricular activities
Supporting community development projects |
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Transport |
Airport pick-up |
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Accommodation |
Homestay |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Advice on visas and equipment
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier t-shirt
Free Frontier TEFL Certification
TEFL Training and BTEC available |
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In-country |
Accommodation
Food
Airport pickup (first Monday of the month)
Internal ground transfers to project site (first Monday of the month)
In-transit accommodation (volunteers joining on the first Monday of the designated months)
Local orientation and training
In-country emergency support
24 hour international HQ back-up |
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
You will be working alongside a small, local, community-based NGO running projects to aid and support local children in all aspects of their lives. The local organisation works with all the local schools in the area and is always in need of assistance from volunteers. It has been running for over 4 years and its members are extremely keen to develop their activities and increase their positive impact on the local people of the region.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Your work schedule will be challenging and varied, but always enjoyable, as you embark on your placement within this local community organisation. There are a range of activities taking place and you will finalise your schedule on arrival based upon local need. Whatever your schedule you will engage fully with local children, using your creativity and initiative to assist in the activities of the project.
You will benefit in terms of your personal and professional experience and will be encouraged to formulate ideas and develop your teaching skills and techniques. Working either with a local teacher or independently, you could be directly involved with leading lessons, marking pupils' work, preparing homework or assembling innovative and effective lesson plans. You may be asked to help teach a variety of essential subjects such as basic maths, English, reading, and indeed anything else in which you have experience.
There are also a range of extracurricular activities for you to contribute to, depending on your personal skills and interests – whether it be running a sports team, planning a school play, organising a choir, or conducting one to one tuition for children who are struggling. Just use your initiative and get the kids involved! Whatever you decide, you are sure to gain huge satisfaction from inspiring these enthusiastic children, whilst enhancing your own skills and experience significantly.
As well as taking part in teaching and running after-school activities, you will also have the opportunity to assist in the day-to-day running of the local organisation, by helping in their office and with their activities in the wider community. There are plans for an environmental education project to be launched and your energy and involvement will be key in getting this off the ground. Whatever your skills and interests, we’re sure you will find a way to use them to help the long-term development of this remote community.
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
You will be greeted at the Airport by your local staff member and escorted by bus to the project site if you are arriving on the first Monday of the month. If you are arriving at any other time you will need to arrange your own transport and catch a public bus to the project site. You may have to organize your own transport back to the airport after you have completed your project depending on your project end date, but this is quite straight forward.
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
You will be staying with a friendly host in a homestay which will allow you to truly experience Costa Rican culture. We choose our hosts carefully to ensure that they are able to provide the support and security needed to make your stay comfortable – and fun! The homestay will usually have a bathroom, living room and a kitchen with a fridge, and will be close to transport and local shops. You will be made to feel part of the family from the moment you arrive and you will soon find yourself immersed in home and community life.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
Costa Rican food is simple but delicious, with a focus on rice, beans and good quality fruit and vegetables. You could learn to make gallo pinto, the staple food of the nation, which is fried rice and black beans. Other favourites include light and crispy tortillas stuffed with delicious cheeses, vegetables and every now and then some diced meat.
On account of the lush nature of Costa Rica's natural habitats, the range of fresh fruit and vegetables is vast and abundant, so make sure you sample some of the fresh market produce. Another thing to try is some Costa Rican coffee, famous the world over and representing the country's biggest export, its fragrant aroma synonymous with the lush plantations found in Central America.
What Next? Apply Now!
Homestays and Teaching in Costa Rica
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21 Jul 2011
Just after about 10 days in Puerto Jimnez I am so glad I chose to volunteer with Frontier in Cost...
Read more
4 weeks not enough
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3 Jun 2011
Having spent the last few weeks volunteering as teachers in Puerto Jiminez we already feel comple...
Read more
A home from home in Costa Rica
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4 May 2011
It is not until I set foot on the gravel roads of Puerto Jimenez, carrying a bright red, 30 kilo ...
Read more
The kids were so great, they never stopped smiling and were so lovely to teach!
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3 Feb 2011
Amazing project, I loved every minute of it! My host family were great, they made me feel so welc...
Read more
1 to 4
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Costa Rica provides everything you could ever desire for an action-packed and eye-opening gap year or eco break. You may wish to explore some of the activities and unforgettable sights that are on offer here whether it is in your spare time, or even in a few extra days spent in this spectacular country at the beginning or end of the project. There are so many possibilities to explore – here are just a few suggestions! Try white water rafting, river kayaking or ocean kayaking – all activities that Costa Rica is famous for whether you are an expert or a compete novice.
If you have a head for heights see the landscape stretch out beneath you from a canopy tree top tour, or even an aerial tram! Other adventure activities that are on offer include biking, hiking, snorkelling and even bungee jumping! If you feel like checking out a great beach area with lively nightlife, try Cahuita, which is a hot spot for Latin dancing. For something more sedate, there are butterfly and insect farms – fascinating for those with an interest in the natural world. Costa Rica really does have something for everyone – you will never be short of ways to enjoy your spare time!
