Volunteer in Costa Rica

Live an eco-friendly experience in the French countryside with a team of volunteers as you assist with wildlife rescue, natural preservation, and biodiversity projects.

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Overview

Overview

Our volunteer program is aimed at students seeking to learn Spanish, as well as make a social impact. Our volunteer programs give you a global perspective, and the ability to contribute to environmental and ecological conservation by participating at the Toucan Rescue Ranch. The first month of the program will consist of Spanish classes at the local school, while the second month of the program will consist of students volunteering at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.

The Toucan Rescue Ranch project is dedicated to caring for wild animals that have been brought to our facility. All animals receive medical attention and care, and when they are back on their feet, we try to return them to the wild. Animals that have been kept as pets or cannot be released for other reasons stay at the ranch to be cared for on a permanent basis. Volunteers are responsible for feeding and cleaning the living quarters of these animals that cannot be released.

Location

About Costa Rica

An oasis of tranquility, Costa Rica is renowned for its dedication to wildlife conservation. Visitors have increasingly flocked to this country in recent years to explore its pristine beaches, marvel at tropical forests and explore trails where white-faced monkeys, sloths, iguanas, stunning flowers, rare plants, and other wonders abound. Surfers, adventurers, and nature lovers are known to find a common love for this gorgeous land and never look back.

“PURA VIDA” — pure life — is Costa Rica’s widespread motto. When you learn Spanish here, you’ll discover what it’s all about.

About The School

Our Spanish school in Santo Domingo de Heredia is surrounded by tropical plants and palm trees so students are always in touch with nature, in keeping with the Costa Rican lifestyle. The modern, window-filled building houses 14 bright classrooms and a large hall used for social events and cultural activities. Students from all over the world learn together during interactive Spanish classes and get to know each other in spacious indoor and outdoor common areas. After class, enjoy the relaxed pace of Santo Domingo or take a short bus ride to the bustling capital city.

School Facilities:

  • 14 bright, colorful classrooms
  • Library
  • Free Wi-Fi, coffee, and tea
  • Computers for student use and study areas for laptops
  • Large kitchen and lounge area with foosball table
  • Outdoor common areas
  • Located in the city center
  • Cafés, restaurants, and shops all around the neighborhood
  • San José, the capital city, is a 15-min. bus ride away
  • Walking distance: 5-15 min.: INBioparque, Central Park, Basilica Santo Domingo de Guzmán. 15-25 min.: Casa de la Cultura, Monte de la Cruz, Tucan Rescue Ranch
  • Free activities: Latin dance lessons, Costa Rican cooking classes, Costa Rican coffee workshop and tasting, visits to local food markets

About Toucan Rescue Ranch

Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) focuses on the care, rehabilitation, and study of Costa Rican toucans and other wildlife. The organization receives confiscated, sick, and injured animals from government agencies and cares for them. TRR gives the animals a loving home with the goal of providing appropriate medical treatment, rehabilitation, and when possible, returning them to their natural environment.

Program Dates

Program Dates & Lengths

The program in Costa Rica is offered all year round, with the ability to join classes on any Monday. You’ll work with one of our Travel & Study Abroad experts to set your specific dates and duration.

Program Costs

Program Costs


4 weeks

Costs

$3,670

Inclusions

Included in the Program Cost:
  • 20 Spanish lessons per week (first 4 weeks of program)
  • Volunteer Program at Toucan Rescue Ranch (last 4 weeks of program)
  • 24/7 emergency support
  • Personal program representative
  • Host Family accommodation with full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
  • Transportation to and from the airport
  • Local assistance
  • Medical insurance
Not included in the Program Cost:
  • Airfare
  • Local transportation
  • Personal expenses
  • Passport fees

Eligibility

Eligibility

Eligible Program Participants Must:
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Volunteer for at least 20 days at Toucan Rescue Ranch
  • Be up to date tetanus & other vaccinations
  • Have a basic knowledge of Spanish
  • Be in good physical health and motivated
  • Have an interest in learning Spanish, helping animals and immersing yourself in the culture

What to Expect

What to Expect

As a participant of this program, you can expect the following:

  • 20 Spanish language classes per week (approx. 55 minutes each)
  • Placed in classes of no more than 10 students, with the average size being 6 students
  • Free time to explore the city and culture
  • Volunteer for a minimum of 20 days at Toucan Rescue Ranch

Schedule for Toucan Rescue Ranch

Volunteers work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 days a week. Each day, the staff gathers at 7 a.m. to give the volunteers their instructions and divide them into two teams. The kitchen team is in charge of cutting up fruit, cooking vegetables, and doing whatever else needs to be done to prepare the animals’ food. The outdoor team takes care of collecting the food trays, setting out food and water, and cleaning.

Application Process

Application Process

  1. Explore our programs, options and countries to find your best match. 
  2. Complete our interest form and, if applicable, let us know who referred you to us.
  3. Schedule a meeting with one of our Travel & Study Abroad experts.
  4. Submit your application and a $200 application fee. This non-refundable fee will be applied to your overall program costs.
  5. Upon acceptance, you will be required to pay a deposit of 50% of the total program costs, up to $1500. The final payment is due several weeks before your departure. 

Parents

Parent FAQs

Moving away from your support network and into a new and unfamiliar environment can be difficult even for the most well-adjusted students. Students with pre-existing mental health conditions may find this adjustment particularly challenging, which could worsen any issues they were previously facing. In order to ensure the safety of our participants, we conduct a thorough screening of all applicants to ensure they are in the right mindset to participate. While the majority of students are eligible to participate, we may not be able to accept students who have recently struggled with mental illness and/or are reliant on medication to treat mental illness in certain circumstances. Pre-existing mental health conditions include, but are not limited to:
  • Severe anxiety
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
For students prepared to take on the challenge, absolutely. It is, however, important to consider a student’s level of maturity prior to the program because it directly impacts their success.  Ideally, our programs will push students beyond their comfort zone and into what is referred to as their stretch zone. It’s in the stretch zone that learning, growth, and development - along with challenges and risk - occur.  If a student is not ready and/or willing to move beyond their comfort zone, plunging into a new and unfamiliar environment could actually have an adverse effect and place them in what is referred to as the panic zone.  Parents should make an honest assessment of their child’s maturity level and understand that study abroad will not fundamentally change their child’s personality or behavior when considering the program. 
While abroad, your child will be fully supported. First, they will receive a personal Program Manager to assist with everything from the initial request to your child’s departure. Then, they will be supported abroad by a dedicated Local Coordinator who will frequently check in on the student and provide monthly progress reports. Your child will have the contact information of their Local Coordinator and can contact them at any time. There is also a 24/7 emergency line managed out of ISE headquarters.
No. Visits of any kind are not allowed during our programs. If you plan to visit your child, you should plan to do so after the program has ended.
The vast majority of our participants are placed in small to medium-sized towns outside of major cities. They may not be living in the most “touristy” areas, but as long as participants are open-minded they will be treated to a truly immersive and authentic experience.

FAQ

Gap Year FAQs

Post-high school programs are gaining popularity for a multitude of reasons. First, there is a lot of research that points to a Gap Year program as a great source of academic growth, language learning, and cross-cultural work experience. Also, it contributes greatly to personal growth and development. A Gap Year allows students to re-examine their goals, gain new perspectives, make friends from diverse backgrounds, and learn more about themselves. Visit our Gap Year program page for more details.
Participants in our Gap Year program may participate in several different roles and activities, including but not limited to:
  • Language Tutoring
  • Teacher’s Assistant
  • Volunteering/Community Development
  • Farming & Sustainability

General FAQs

ISE’s Travel & Study Abroad Program will take your academic, career, and life opportunities to new levels! College admissions and employers love compelling personal growth stories, and Travel & Study Abroad will supply you with those stories.  Some of the many benefits of participating in our programs include: Academic & Career Benefits
  • Stand out during the college admissions process
  • Develop new language skills in an immersive environment
  • Develop problem-solving skills
  • Identify interests to better select academic & career paths
  • Establish cross-cultural skills
  • Improve academic scores
Personal Benefits
  • Improve personal organization and time management skills
  • Develop a sense of adaptability, independence, and self-reliance
  • Boost self-confidence
  • Learn about new lifestyles
  • Experience new cuisines
  • Make lifelong friends
  • Gain life experience
Since 1982, our nonprofit organization has remained committed to educating future leaders and making a positive, long-lasting impact in communities.   To make cross-cultural experiences accessible to more people, we offer the best pricing available to our participants...and we do so without compromising the quality of the experience or level of support offered.    We assign each participant a personal Program Manager, so you’ll receive assistance throughout your entire program experience by someone you know by name. We also provide 24/7 support from our dedicated Student Services Team.   Lastly, the trusted international organizations we partner with have been trained and certified over the course of many years working to provide study abroad programs
“The summer abroad experience does lend itself to some very important essays that students write.” Deputy director of admissions for the University of Texas  “A lot of schools, including ours, are looking for a diverse perspective, and international experiences lend themselves to that.” - Admissions Advisor, University of California “Anything that makes your application stand out is a good thing.” - Admissions officer, University of Chicago “Not only does studying outside the United States help build necessary language fluency for all college-bound students, it shows those headed to elite institutions will go outside their comfort zone and expand to meet the challenge. Nothing speaks to the ethics of those institutions quite like a commitment to that kind of excellence and personal achievement.” - Admissions Advisor, New York University
First and foremost, program candidates should be mature, open-minded, and adaptable. Wondering if our Travel & Study Abroad Program is right for you? Check out our article Should You Study Abroad? 8 Signs You’d Make a Great Exchange Student to find out!
During the Academic Year (Visit Our High School Programs Page for Specific Dates)
  • Short Term Option (1-2 months)
  • Trimester and Semester Options
  • Full Year Options
During the Summer (Visit Our Summer Program Page for Specific Dates)
  • Program options from 1-8 weeks
Post-High School Gap Year (Visit Our Gap Year Page for Specific Dates)
  • 12-month program option
For the majority of our programs, you’ll be living with a host family.  A few of our programs offer boarding schools. In those cases, you will be living with other students in a dormitory.
If you have a family in your country of choice that you know of and that is willing to host you, we may be able to place you in their home after they are properly vetted. Otherwise, host families are chosen based on your application for the most compatible fit. If you happen to have strong and valid reasons to deny a chosen family, we will try to accommodate your request to the best of our ability.
Yes, pick up and drop-off at the airport is included in all of our programs.
We don’t include airfare in our pricing because we know that allowing people to shop around for the most competitive rates and convenient airport locations is best. Not to mention you might have frequent flyer miles that you could use towards the purchase of a ticket, why take that opportunity away? You may see other programs that include flights, but it should be noted that often these flights will cost more than what participants could find on their own and/or depart from less convenient locations.
Yes, a travel medical insurance policy is included in the program price for all participants.
All program fees must be received before departure, usually 6-8 weeks before.    The usual payment schedule is: $200 student application fee, $1500 deposit before your application is forwarded to our partner in the country of choice and a remainder 6-8 weeks before departure.    Personalized installment plans are also available, where a minimum payment is set at $500.    We understand that financing a study abroad program might be challenging for some, therefore we want you to know that we are here to help as much as we can. Please visit our Scholarship and Fundraising pages for additional financing hints.
To attend a high school you must be sufficiently proficient in the native language of the country you would like to visit, but you don’t have to be fluent. Your language skills will improve quickly once you are culturally immersed!  Don’t speak another language? Don’t worry - we offer several programs in English-speaking countries.
We try to make the application process as simple as possible. Here are the steps you should follow if you’d like to apply:
  1. Explore our programs, options, and countries to find your best match.
  2. Complete our interest form and, if applicable, let us know who referred you to us.
  3. Schedule a meeting with one of our Travel & Study Abroad experts.
  4. Submit your application and a $200 application fee. This non-refundable fee will be applied to your overall program costs.
  5. Upon acceptance, you will be required to pay a deposit of 50% of the total program cost, up to $1500. The final payment is due several weeks before your departure.
Minors are not permitted to travel alone or with other minors. You may travel with your host family, local representative, or with a school. Students above 18 years old, must coordinate with their host family and local representative before making any travel plans.
Making the best decision on how to prepare for a trip to another country where different currency is used takes a bit of planning. Besides US dollar banknotes, that you can exchange anywhere in the world, most debit and credit cards are also accepted worldwide. Before leaving the US you should speak to your bank to make sure that you won’t be charged exorbitant international fees. Many banks in the US offer cards with no international or ATM fees. Also, consider inquiring about prepaid cards. Another option might be traveler’s checks that are an alternative to cash and cards. It is not very common that you will be able to open a local bank account to which you could transfer money to. However, since we live in an ever-changing world, you should never disregard this option; we encourage you to inquire about it upon your arrival. Our local representative will always be happy to assist you. Remember, never keep all of your cards and cash in one place.
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