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  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Atenas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: This World Endeavors program offers its participants a truly unique and remarkable way to experience Costa Rica. By living and working side-by-side with local residents volunteers have an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community while experiencing a total cultural immersion that cannot be matched by conventional travel programs. One project in particular focuses on rescue and rehabilitation of parrots, macaws, and other native tropical birds. Another project allows volunteers to work on a sea turtle conservation project.

Highlights: Costa Rica's vibrant culture, amazing biodiversity, and breathtaking landscapes make it one of the ideal destinations in Latin America. This small Central American country of 3.5 million human inhabitants is also home to 5% of the world's biodiversity. Visiting the ticos or native people living in rural farming communities gives one the feeling of going back in time. Atenas is a quaint town located in the central highlands roughly 45 minutes from the capital city of San Jose. The town of about 5,000 is made up of many surrounding communities that base their livelihood on growing coffee, oranges and mangoes. Costa Rican history, tradition and culture are deeply rooted here.

Participants are able to experience true cultural immersion through the wonderful opportunity of staying with a local host family, where meals are provided.

Qualifications / Skills Needed: Volunteers must have: English language fluency, a desire to help the people of Costa Rica, flexibility, self-motivation, openness to a new culture and a willingness to learn. Spanish language skills are helpful but not required.

Language: English

Cost in US$: Please visit our website.

Cost Includes: -Pre-departure packet to prepare you for your placement -World Endeavors support for any of your pre-trip questions -In-country travel coordination -Accommodations (3 meals per day with a local family) -Support from local World Endeavors representatives -2 weeks of Spanish language training (for programs 4 weeks and longer) -Cultural activities (cooking class; dance class) -Volunteer placement -24X7 Emergency phone support

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer Projects: animal welfare, conservation, sea turtle protection and wildlife surveying

Typical Volunteer: World Endeavors volunteers are people from all backgrounds who are looking for a life-changing experience abroad. Our participants are of all ages and come from countries around the world. We seek to match volunteers to projects that best suit their interests and abilities in order to maximize their experience and their impact on their project.

Age Range: 18 and older. Younger volunteers accepted by application.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

World Endeavors's Mission Statement: World Endeavors is a provider of unique international volunteer, internship, and study programs. Our mission is to become a catalyst for positive change in our community and the world through quality international programs.