API students participate excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API San José programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

What You’ll Study

Students seeking adventure and fun who wish to share their time and talents with their host community are ideally suited for the Costa Rica Community Service prip. In just a short two-week stay, the program will expose participants to the multifaceted beauty of Costa Rica: its hospitable and warm culture, its "pura vida" (pure life) mantra, and its commitment to protecting and exploring biodiversity.

Students will learn how Costa Ricans live and think, as well as, some of the country's development challenges. Students will acquire or strengthen Spanish language skills and participate in fun daily cultural, social, and recreational activities. Excursions, including visits to a coffee plantation and a weekend trip to Arenal Volcano, serve as opportunities to experience firsthand the nature the country is known for!

ENVIRONMENTAL/SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Students may work with a network of urban gardens or ecological farms. Student volunteers generally assist with the garden or farm's daily tasks, learning about permaculture, organic farming and composting in the process. Students may also learn methods to teach children about environmental issues.

SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES

Students may volunteer in organizations that support vulnerable populations, such as children or senior citizens. Organizations include subsidized daycare centers or senior centers. Students may participate in storytelling sessions, English language classes, or other fun activities.

Spanish language classes and community service are arranged through the International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) and their affiliate organizations. While in San José, students will stay with carefully selected host families, in walking distance of their classes. Students will volunteer with local community organizations in San José and engage with Costa Rican people through activities such as soccer games, dance lessons, and cooking with their families.

SERVICE CERTIFICATE

No academic credit is offered for this program. Upon completion of this program, students will receive a certificate documenting 30 hours of community service.

PROGRAM ITINERARY

Day 1

• Arrive in San José.
  
• Meet API at the airport and travel together to orientation hotel to begin safety, transportation, and housing orientation sessions.

Day 2

• Continue safety and community service orientation.
  
• Group lunch and city tour.
• Meet host families.
  

Day 3-5

• MORNING: Community service work.
  
• AFTERNOON: Spanish language classes.
  
• EVENINGS: Cultural activity.
  

Day 6

• MORNING: Community service work.
  
• AFTERNOON: Depart for an overnight excursion to Arenal.
  

Day 7

• Hike Arenal Volcano.
  
• Visit a local waterfall and/or hot springs.
  
• Overnight in hotel.
  

Day 8

• MORNING: Zipline canopy tour.
  
• AFTERNOON: Return to San José.
  

Day 9-12

• MORNING: Community service work.
  
• AFTERNOON: Spanish language classes.
  
• EVENINGS: Cultural activity.
  

Day 13

• Visit a local organic farm.
  

Day 14

• Return to airport to depart Costa Rica for the U.S.

This itinerary is subject to change.

Highlights

• Great opportunity to earn service hours over summer break
• Receive a certificate for hours served
• Learn Spanish and teach English
• Get a taste of international life