4-Week Sustainable Development Summer Program in Costa Rica

Set out on a month of pura vida: spend four weeks developing leadership skills and making an impact in the world’s eco-tourism capital.

Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture, contextualizing your travels within local customs and history. Collaborate with locals and NGOs to complete service projects that will benefit the community, working towards conservation, reforestation, and sustainable development. Wrap up your experience with time for reflection at Leadership Academy at the UN’s University for Peace.

Program length:
4 weeks

Summer 2023 dates:
Jul. 5 – Aug. 2

Program highlights

Chart your path forward

Live and travel on your own, learning how to leverage your strengths and beginning to define your life path.

Collaborate towards change

Work with local organizations as they tackle issues on the ground and learn how you can apply these lessons to your own life as a leader in your community.

Develop global skills

Get out of your comfort zone and discover what you're capable of: gain environmental skills, experience a new culture, and expand your horizons.

Program itinerary

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to availability and local conditions at the time of departure.

Orientation 1 Day

Orientation

1 day San Jose

Your program kicks off with a brief orientation, where you'll meet your fellow travelers and learn how to make the most of your experience.

Service Learning 3 Weeks

Youth Education Project

7 nights San José

Collaborate with a non-profit that seeks to lift up local youth through education by playing, helping with homework, and teaching English.

Reforestation Project

3 nights Pacific Coast

Contribute to seashore conservation by supporting the marine biologists in their research and assisting with mangrove restoration efforts.

Sea Turtle Conservation Project

4 nights Corcovado

Partner with a local foundation to assist sea turtle conservation efforts and learn about why these endangered animals are so important.

Sustainable Farming Project

9 nights Arenal and Monteverde

Work with a community-based project that leverages sustainable tourism for ecological restoration and community outreach efforts.

Leadership Academy 5 Days

Leadership Academy

4 nights University for Peace, San José

Reflect on your experiences and how you can apply what you’ve learned to your future. Hone your global leadership skills through speaker-led workshops. Sessions will focus on self- and global-awareness, influencing others, and executing on your personal goals.

What service learning means to us

EF Gap Year's service learning philosophy combines educational objectives with hands-on experience as a vehicle to help you become a better global citizen.

Program Fee

Tuition for this 4-week program is $6,950, and payment plans are available. Tuition includes:

Flights and transportation

Round-trip flights and local transfers to each stop in your itinerary
Room and board

Your accommodations and some of your meals on the trip
Activities and service projects

Guided excursions and service opportunities with partner organizations
EF Global Support Network

One-on-one mentorship and travel support before and during your program

Ready to get started?

Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and to help find the perfect program for your family.

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Short-Term Program

Sustainable Development in Costa Rica