Faculty-Led Program Itinerary – Education
ATENAS & THE CENTRAL VALLEY
Spend your first two days in the central valley of Costa Rica, home to 80% of the country’s population, surrounded by mountains and boasting fantastic vistas and a perfect climate. Visit an elementary school and meet with pedagogy students and their professor from a local University.
Days 1-2
Arrive Costa Rica
Program review with guides
Meet with University students
Visit a local school
Learning Opportunities:
- Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of other cultures and their environments
- Cross-cultural engagement and communication
- Learn about school systems in another country
- Exchange of thoughts and ideas on education with Costa Rican University students.
- Engage with students at an urban elementary school
PROVIDENCIA
Spend two nights in the small community of Providencia. The highest points in the Costa Rican landscape are found in this mountain range as well as lush cloud forest, home to an astonishing array of biological diversity.
Days 3-4
Coffee/Agriculture tour
Creamery Visit
Cloud Forest Nature Walk
Visit a local school
Learning Opportunities:
- Production of coffee and agricultural practices
- Sustainable community practices
- Flora and fauna of the cloud forest
- Engage with students at the local school
SARAPIQUI
From the hills, head down the mountain to the rainforest. Here tour a butterfly farm that exports butterflies worldwide, learn about Costa Rica history and view wildlife as you travel the Heroes Route by boat up to the Nicaraguan border, and learn about Indigenous customs and how knowledge was passed through oral tradition during a workshop at the pre-Columbian ruins at the Alma Ata Archaeological Park.
Day 5-6
Visit a butterfly farm
“Ruta de los Heroes” boat excursion
Tour Alma Ata Archaelogical Park
Learning Opportunities:
- Compare & contrast ecosystems of the cloud forest and rainforest
- Indigenous peoples culture and traditions
- Sustainable business practices
- History of the border region from the mid-1800s and impact of US mercenary William Walker
JAVILLOS AND ASIS HOME STAYS
At Asis Wildlife Rescue Center you will volunteer with rescued wild animals, from monkeys to peccaries, kinkajous, macaws and more! Stay with local families during your time here and spend a full day at the local school meeting and playing with the students as you work on a service project.
Days 6-7
Introduction to Asis Wildlife Rescue Center
Evening with families
Visit to elementary school
Volunteer work at the Wildlife Rescue Center
Learning Opportunities:
- Service learning
- Extended interaction with local families through the homestay
- Engage with students at a local elementary school
- Learn about attitudes towards wildlife & the effects of poaching
LA FORTUNA & ARENAL VOLCANO
Say good bye to your home stay families and head to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park. Visit a local elementary school and tour a local sustainable organic farm. Enjoy some time soaking in local hot springs.
Day 8
Nature hike in Volcano National Park
Visit Juuari school
Don Juan’s Organic farm tour and lunch
Soak in natural hot springs
Learning Opportunities:
- Impact of volcanic activity on landscape, culture, and tourism
- Engage with students at a local elementary school
- Organic / sustainable farming, community development
ATENAS & THE CENTRAL VALLEY
End the trip right back where you started. This is the night to celebrate your accomplishments and reflect on your experiences and learnings.
Day 9
Depart for home!
EcoTeach expeditions provide students the opportunity to:
- Experience the excitement that comes with discovery
- Elevate their interest and enthusiasm for learning about how the world works
- Deepen their understanding of key concepts in content areas like science, social studies, and foreign language
- Explore, question, observe and make sense of the world we share
- Reflect on their own process of learning in unique, non-traditional settings
- Actively participate in inquiry activities using the skills and tools of science, social studies, and communication
- Think about themselves as global learners and develop their identity as someone capable of contributing to what we know about our world