Verto Education - Start College in Turrialba, Costa Rica

If you're ready for new experiences with strangers who become your best friends and PL's who will always have your back then Verto is the place for you. I got to experience so much in such a short period of time and I couldn't have asked for a better semester abroad. I enjoyed all the activities we did and the education activities were also very interesting and activated learning instead of always being stuck in the classroom. I also loved the community and the people that surrounded me the community meetings are always filled with love.

When I finally arrived I met 27 random people I'd never met in person before from all around the US and even outside of it. I was nervous about alot of things, covid being the main concern. But I quickly learned I had no reason to worry. After a week long quarantine with masks and strict restrictions and one covid test we were free. And I became closer than I ever thought I could with those 27 random people. I met my family and lived in paradise. I am so lucky to have experienced this so young.

Verto has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have built a family on this trip as well as had so many fun excursions throughout this semester of Spring 2021. I have felt a sense of community and I have loved every day of this trip. I was able to earn college credits through some very fun classes whilst also being able to have fun with activities such as ziplining, hiking, kayaking, etc. This trip has been a blessing and I have no complaints! I would highly recommend Verto for any student headed to their first semester of college!

This program is ideal if you’re looking for a small classroom environment and a strong sense of community. The classes are interesting and definitely college-level. The combination of education, experiential learning, and fun, non-classroom activities and freedoms made this experience so wonderful for me and allowed me to grow into my future and who I want to be. I was honestly not super sure about Verto when I first showed up in Costa Rica. But everything here, the culture, the people, the experiences, made it so easy to be certain about the decision I made for myself.

I’m so blessed I had the opportunity to travel to a different country and get college credit for it! I met some of my best friends on this trip that I will be friends with for life! The traveling aspect was amazing as well, I was submerged in the culture the whole trip and loved it! I would recommend this program for any seniors that want to get out of the typical classroom. This is the greatest choice for those who feel that way, because that’s how I felt and you will be able to get everything you want out of this trip!!
Thank you Verto!!!

I truly believe I was put with the best group of people. My program leaders were always very supportive and I became very good friends with all of them. The other students became my friends very quickly, our community really felt like a family. The activities were all well planned and I had a great time zip lining, rappelling, and rafting. I am going home with so much more knowledge about myself and others, I have really developed and changed during my semester here. I know that the friends I have made and the experiences I have had will never leave me.

Spring of 2020, I was beyond excited to go to Costa Rica, but like most things this year covid has taken that opportunity away. To say the least when Verto offered a hybrid semester as an option I figured why not it's something to do and it'll help for next spring 2021. I was not expecting this semester to be overall very fun and inviting. Even though being online sucks again not expecting to make a good amount of connections with classmates that I think will last a long time, great thing is I'll see most of them next semester as well in Costa Rica! Huge coodos to Verto staff for working so hard behind the scenes to provide a great experience overall for us students!

This was my first time traveling outside of the U.S. and it was life changing. This trip was a great way to make new connections because you never know who you will meet along your journey. I had met individuals that were all so unique in their own ways and so full of knowledge wether they be my teachers, my cohort, guides, or even natives. Taking into account what these amazing people have taught me, they left me with a new purpose. Because of this trip I now have a new initiative which is to start my own business that will make a change.