With such a connected world it is almost impossible to stand out without international experience.  The sooner students can get this experience the sooner they will be able to apply that experience to their lives.  An experience like this could influence future decisions such as where to study and what to study. By participating in an exchange program participants are introduced to a foreign culture but with the safety and guidance of a host that is equally motivated to learn more about you and your culture.

Start by immersing yourself into the Costa Rican culture and create lasting friendships that will be built via the amazing experience you’ll have with them.  It is an unforgettable experience that will be remembered for years to come.  Besides living with a Costa Rican family, you will also experience some of the best tourist excursions in the country together with your host sibling!  By the end of the exchange you’ll be well versed in the culture and have a lasting link to Costa Rica which is not something other tourists can say about their visit to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Summer Exchange 

Exchange Dates:

Sunday, June 24th – Sunday, July 8th

 Cost:

• $1,800/student

Includes:

• Airfare round trip from Chicago.
• Airport pick up and drop off in Costa Rica.
• All meals, lodging and laundry with host family.
• Entrance fees and transportation to all activities.
• Welcome and going away party.
• Teacher/Chaperone group leader.
• Basic travel medical insurance.

Excludes:

• Transportation to/from Chicago.
• Passports ($80-$110 depending on age).
• Spending money for snacks and souvenirs ($100-$200).
• Cancellation/Interruption insurance.

Details and activities:

Students arrive to Costa Rica where they will be greeted by their host families and taken to their homes.  The host schools they are partnered with will have a welcome party prepared for the students the next day.  Throughout the exchange students will experience what it is like to live with a family and what the daily life is like for them.  They do what the families do, including attending school with their host sibling.

In addition to spending time with the family, students will visit some of the best tourist offerings Costa Rica has to offer.  On those days they will travel with their host siblings and other exchange students from their school to experience hot springs, volcanos, rainforests, and beaches.  These days will allow them to interact with their peers and share experiences from their stay.

Events/activities:

• Welcome and going away events with host schools
• High school days (shadow your host sibling at their school)

  

• Zip line canopy tour
• Waterfall gardens
• Beach day
• Coffee plantation tour
• Volcanic hot springs
• Community service
• San José museums

How the process works…..

This is a big decision for a lot of young travelers and parents alike and because of that we offer students a chance to be matched with a potential host partner and have communication before exchanging.  If you are hosting for the winter exchange, then you’d have the opportunity to stay with the same student you hosted.

Timeline:

October-March: Interested students are invited to fill out the application form.

March – May: Preparation meetings held for students and parents.  Student matches made.

June 24th – July 8th: Exchange trip.

Ready to get started???

Exchange Application Form

For more information about the exchange, check out our FAQs and read about our most recent exchange to Wisconsin!