About Program
Students seeking adventure and fun, as well as, having a desire to share their time and talents with their host community, are ideally suited for the Costa Rica community service trip. In just a short two-week stay, the program will expose participants to the multifaceted beauty of Costa Rica: its hospitable and warm culture, its "pura vida" (pure life) mantra, and its commitment to protecting and exploring biodiversity.
Students will learn how Costa Ricans live and think, as well as, some of the country's development challenges. Students will acquire or strengthen Spanish language skills and participate in fun daily cultural, social, and recreational activities. Excursions, including visits to a coffee plantation and a weekend trip to Arenal Volcano, serve as opportunities to experience firsthand the nature the country is known for!
Video and Photos
Aspire by API is now known simply as API. API (Academic Programs International) has been the parent company of Aspire by API since 2009, and API has sent thousands of students abroad since 1997. Our name has changed, but our mission will remain the same. We still aim to transform lives by providing enriching experiential programs abroad that foster increased self-knowledge, cultural sensitivity and understanding of the global nature of our contemporary world.
Scholarships
API Scholarships and Financial Aid Information
API awards millions of dollars in scholarships annually ranging from $250 - $2,000 per student. Terms and conditions may apply.
Questions & Answers
Location
Costa Rica is known for its Pura Vida lifestyle and San José is a great place to get familiar with the lifestyle. One of the best ways to discover San José is through the arts; whether you like theatre, dance, or music, this is the quickest way to the heart of Costa Rica.
