So-called volunteer programs are becoming more popular. The idea is that you abroad for projects in the social or environmental fields assists while learning the language.
San Jose is a pleasing mixture of English tradition and modernity. This suggests the political, economic and cultural heart of Costa Rica . About a third of the country's population lives in the city and from here also operates the Costa Rican Language Academy (CLIC) . At the language school you will not only learn English but also participate in social and environmental projects. The school works with external institutions, which offer so-called volunteer programs.
staff at the Day Care Center
The day care center in San Jose was built for children of low-income families, who often also have only a single parent. The children are usually aged between 6 months and 9 years. The volunteers assist the children in their daily lives and organize learning activities, crafts, draw, play with the children and organize sporting Activities. For children, this is a very important experience in which they can also learn about another culture and language.
staff at the orphanage
These special orphanages are structured as "little home". About 10 children live in a respective "Hogarcito" (English for small home). They were either abandoned by their parents, neglected or abused. Two women live together permanently with the children and try to build a family-like atmosphere. They are supported both by volunteers and the other by the participants in the social project. The task of the volunteers is to prepare children for school, help with homework, play with them to make music, to tinker with them or draw. You should be aware that dealing with children is demanding and can be exhausting. Many of these children are traumatized, confused or very sensitive because of their difficult past. These
involvement in environmental projects
These are programs of school-independent institutions. Participants assist in this as so-called volunteers (volunteers) from the daily work on site. Some potential environmental programs include protection of sea turtles in Cahuita and Gandoca, sanctuary for sloth in Cahuita, Wild Animal Park in La Marina and El Silencio, Volcán Arenal National Park and the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Depending on the program may apply the following tasks: maintenance of equipment, cleaning enclosures, preparing food for animals, monitoring animal care, feeding and trails, and lead tourists around.
more information on volunteer projects, see:
www.boalingua.ch
