The Bridge Costa Rica | Supportive Gap Program

The Bridge is a phenomenal place to grow and explore who you are as a young adult. The program provides a strong sense of structure while giving you the freedom to experience new things, challenge yourself, and discover what works for you. My time in Costa Rica helped me develop skills that carried me through the early stages of adulthood, and years later, I still draw on the lessons I learned there. The deep connections and unique experiences are a huge part of what makes The Bridge so special. Going to The Bridge is one of the greatest decisions I have made in my life and I cannot understate how valuable the experience has been for me. I would highly recommend this program to anyone feeling stuck, unsure of their next step, or looking for an opportunity to grow.

I was a participant at the Bridge Costa Rica from July until December of 2024, in advance of my first semester of college. I think it is important to say, in advance of anything else, that I cannot overstate how positively impactful my time at this program was. The values that I developed, articulated, and had a chance to fully practice here are the same ones that govern my life today: two years into college and capable of living a fulfilling life that I would have previously not before been able to even imagine living.
I think what makes the Bridge so special is that it gives you agency. Your path to recovery, self betterment, growth, whatever it may be is governed by you and your goals. There is a structure to your time at the program, but really what the structure is there to do is scaffold your development of a sense of what YOU want your goals to be. It is not about shaping your path to head somewhere predefined, it is about equipping you with the skills to chart your own course, while in Costa Rica and once you depart.
In my experience, this meant starting with a lot of work on basic, practical lifeskills: balancing laundry, groceries, chores, cooking, college classes, and a part time job at a coffee shop. In being able to practice this work of managing a healthy life—with ample support from both my therapist, and the other guys at the house—I slowly was able to realize that I had more capacity than I had ever known. I was beginning to figure out how to live a life that, instead of feeling like a constant drain, left me with a surplus at the end of each day. And that surplus was then something I drew upon to deal with challenges as they arose or focus towards planning my future.
Being situated in Costa Rica was an incredible special aspect of the Bridge. Beyond being a backdrop to the experience, the connections I built with the people in Atenas—both those affiliated with the program and those who I encountered serendipitously in my day-to-day—contributed to my progress at the Bridge. As someone who was continuing work I had done with social skills, the grace, compassion, and warmth from the outset of any interaction helped me develop confidence in myself to build lasting, warm relationships (Emphasis on the lasting part! I recently went back to Atenas during the summer and being in the company of all of the people who I had met during my time at the Bridge, this time as friends more than anything else, was so incredibly special). The Aventura program is beyond phenomenal, and cross cultural exchange combined with an emphasis on finding ways to support local communities that actually serve their desires (not just what we think they want) was a huge component of what led me to my current pursuit of anthropology.
The Bridge has been such an incredible part of my journey, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

I would recommend The Bridge to anyone. Whatever history you have, whether you have been in and out of other therapeutic/wilderness programs or you don’t have any experience outside of the circle you grew up in, you will be glad you came. You’ll be in adventures you will never forget, meet people of all sorts and become close to people you wouldn’t have thought it possible. You’ll likely face many difficulties which is a core part of the program, to set you up for your life. Experience, both joyful and difficult, is priceless.

I could not have asked for a better experience at the Bridge!! I was able to build extremely close relationships with all the staff members as well as the Tico community. The ethereal nature around allows one to take time for themselves to ponder on how they want to grow and move forward in life. The Bridge strides to push everyone to try something new, from internships to education and extracurricular activities. I can not thank the staff enough for their hard work and dedication to each and every individuals growth process.
My time at the Bridge will stay close to my heart forever!