Volunteer while learning Spanish in Costa Rica?

Question

I'm looking for a volunteer program in Costa Rica, one in which volunteers feel like they really made a difference and allows volunteers to practice their Spanish speaking skills often.

If anyone could suggest a program that he or she had a good experience in, that would be great.

Or, if anyone knows of a program that allows volunteers to take spanish lessons while volunteering, that would be even better.

thanks

Answer 1

Well you can start your research here if you want.

http://www.amerispan.com/contests.asp

Answer 2

This one's a slam dunk. Look into the Peace Corps. They won't ALLOW you to learn Spanish, they'll TEACH you and you'll learn it better than you ever thought possible! You'll get total immersion training in the language and you can make a real difference in the lives of people.

Answer 3

I usually visit volunteermatch.org I know they have a program, try to look for it

Answer 4

Try contancting Veritas University.....they have some nice volunteer programs and u can go to spanish classes and met new people =D

Answer 5

I'm Costa Rica and I recently made a volunteer program in Santa Rosa, Guanacaste. I met new friends there, from costa ricans to europeans. In the case of europeans, the people I knew were from France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and, of course, a lot of costa ricans and north americans in JUST ONE WEEK.

I look that the europeans learned a lot of spanish, and they like their volunteer program in Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. My volunteer program was just one week, and I made it with the University of Costa Rica, place in which I study. In the case of the foreing people, the french girl came with her College in Paris, the German girl by herself, and the belgium guy by a program that I don't remember.

I will help you a lot giving spanish lessons, but at this moment I am studying in San José, so it would be hard if u go far away from the capital city. If u want to come by the University of Costa Rica, visit www.voluntariado.ucr.ac.cr but volunteer programs are almost avaiable at December in this website. Ask also in www.isvonline.com

GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in a unique and vibrant culture that provides an ideal environment for fostering cultural understanding and working with the local community. In 1948, Costa Rica abolished its military in favor of working toward social improvement, a decision that made the country a pillar of stability in Central America. Along with its history and geography, it is this sense of progressive thought for which Ticos (the people of Costa Rica) have great pride. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, Costa Rica is known throughout the world for its stunning beaches and lush green rainforests.

Answer 7

Timo is right, if you have the time the Peace Corp is by far the best.  I have seen several of these other learn Spanish/ be a volunteer things up close and they are terrible rip-offs.  They charge several times the going rate for food and housing, do not hire competent teachers and put the volunteers out to useless and stupid work.  Even some allegedly reputable organizations such as the IEP are being screwed by these local organizations.  It participates in Atenas Costa RIca through a local company and every single participant has left pissed off and no better in Spanish than they were before.