Location
  • Costa Rica
Length
1 - 4 weeks

Program Details

Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Hotel Lodge

Pricing

Price Details
Every student who attends a Global Glimpse partner school is eligible for a need-based scholarship. Since 2007, Global Glimpse has provided over $13 million dollars in scholarships to make our program accessible to students from all backgrounds.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airfare Meals Transportation
What's Included (Extra)

Global Glimpse partners with Away Travel to provide a scholarship to cover the cost of passports for accepted students who will be getting their first passport in order to participate in the Global Glimpse program.

What's Not Included
Visa
Jul 13, 2023
Sep 13, 2024
2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested, peaceful Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. With roughly a quarter of its area made up of protected jungle, Costa Rica has some of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on earth. During this program, Global Glimpse goes beyond Costa Rica’s natural beauty to focus on conservation and environmental justice; critical issues for the health and sustainability of our planet, and Costa Ricans living in one of the most biodiverse countries on earth.

As students engage in meaningful service and immersion, we’ll ask them to explore the intersections of culture, history, environmental sustainability, and economic growth and support them to define their own purpose and vision for a better world. From the mangroves of the Caribbean coast to the cloud forests, we will examine local conservation initiatives that have persisted despite challenges due to a changing climate.

Program Reviews

4.97 Rating
based on 39 reviews
  • 5 rating 97.44%
  • 4 rating 2.56%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 39 reviews
Default avatar
Angelina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Leadership and fun

The leaderships that my PC’s has and leaders were amazing. They always made sure that we was always okay and that we were always happy. My leaders were always taking good responsibility of us and we trusted them to talk to them about anything. Being on this trip we didn’t really lacked anything. We always had something to do and I loved being with all these amazing kids. We all was able to be leaders throughout the trip and knowing each other through it. Leadership was something that really made my mind stand out bc leadership is what is needed in life.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I did trip trip again I would love it be more weeks like a month and to explore more things and being able to travel to another part of the country instead of staying in one part.
Pros
  • Always responsible
  • Caring about saftey
  • Trustworthy
Cons
  • The heat
  • The bugs
  • The bedtime
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kevin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Greatest Experience of My Life

How can I put my experience into words? To the facilities, to my friends, to the staff they truly are one of a kind. I really did not have a bad experience on this trip. Every single day taught me a valuable lesson in which I hope will remain with me in my future endeavors. I was able to witness the citizens experience life which truly struck a cord with me. On the last couple of days were spent on elementary school as we helped them make a better learning environment. How can I not recommend this experience to anybody else as it shaped who I am. I was nervous when I first applied to Global Glimpse but now I realize there was no need. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more confident in who I am. I have recommended this to everybody I know who is younger than me. So I recommend anyone who comes across this program to participate.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment that I can think of was when we were at a cheese farm at I was gained the opportunity to milk a cow.
Pros
  • The Food
  • The Staff
  • My Peers
Cons
  • The beds
  • The rain
  • Some people got sick
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Shania
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica is now my second home

Costa Rica is the first country that I visited outside of the United States. This experience was initially nerve-racking for me but despite my initial concerns, I encouraged myself to go into it with an open mind and I’m glad that I did. I had the time of my life in Costa Rica. The trip opened my mind to what life is like outside of the US. I met new friends that I likely never would’ve crossed paths with if I hadn’t gone on the trip. I also made connections with the locals, one example being Doña Vera, our cook. I’ll always cherish my time in Costa Rica. In the United States, it’s very normalized to be individualistic and that’s why so many people here feel alone. In Costa Rica, the sense of community was so strong and you could tell that even strangers cared for each other. Despite the language barrier between me and Doña Vera, we still found ways to communicate and show our appreciation towards each other. One of the most heartwarming moments that happened on my trip was when she hugged me after I gave her a letter of appreciation and she wrote one for me as well. Many of the Glimpsers also made sure that I felt safe and included and I still appreciate that daily. Yes, the country and the trip itself are amazing and beautiful but it’s the people that left a lasting impression on me. I miss Costa Rica daily but I appreciate the memories and the lessons I learned along the way.

What was your funniest moment?
I can’t quite pinpoint a single “funniest moment” because there were so many. Everyday I would belly laugh at a new shenanigan that my fellow Glimpsers were up to or how a heated game of cards turned out. The funniest moments that I can recall were sharing funny stories with my roommates after quiet time.
Pros
  • I made so many influential connections
  • I got to experience Costa Rica from the lens of a local
  • I got to go on a trip outside of the country for free
Cons
  • The experience wasn’t always picky eater friendly
  • The bugs are terrifying at times
  • I got homesick very early into the trip
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever

This past summer in 2024, I had the opportunity to travel to Turrialba, Costa Rica through the Global Glimpse program. I can easily say that this has been one of the best moments of my life, and will undoubtedly be a summer I remember for years to come. With so many exciting activities, such as a waterfall hike, a coffee plantation tour, a dairy farm visit, a tour through Cartago, and working on our Community Action Project, we learned so much about the culture and environment of Costa Rica. My trip to Costa Rica has given me the opportunity to learn so much more about both the world and myself, and I recommend this program to all rising seniors as it is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Although it’s hard to pick just one, my favorite memory of my Global Glimpse trip was the day we visited a coffee plantation and a dairy farm. At the coffee plantation, we learned about the coffee plants and even got to pick coffee beans and try them. Surprisingly, they tasted very sweet. Later on, we went to a local dairy farm to learn more about the cheese-making process, and I even got to milk my first cow!! Even though I was initially hesitant, it will certainly be something I will never forget, marking just one of my experiences with Global Glimpse.
For our Community Action Project, we filled in cracks with cement in the Aquiares Elementary School gym and painted the outdoor lunch huts. During recess, we played soccer and other games with the kids and got to know them better. On our final day in Turrialba, we were invited to a special dance performance at the school, where students performed a dance for the upcoming holiday. Seeing the students use the gym was incredibly rewarding and joyful, after all of the work we put in to repair it for them. I will never forget the smiles on their faces during the dance, and feeling proud that we were able to give something back to the community that can be used for years to come.
Although many aspects of the trip may seem a little scary at first, you have nothing to worry about!! Traveling alone to a new country can be daunting, but everybody at Global Glimpse, including our fellow travelers, is always super welcoming! From meeting at the airport to playing card games and talking at night, I formed lasting friendships with so many of my peers. During the trip we got to learn so much about ourselves; including our leadership capabilities and knowing that we can be ok in a new environment with new people. We got to learn so much about the environment and challenges of Costa Rica, and how the concerns can be addressed. During the trip I made memories with some of the best people I have ever met that will last for a lifetime. Although I am sad that the trip ended, I can think back to all of my memories and learnings and smile knowing that I will never forget it!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did on this trip was milking a cow!! Prior to the trip, I had never done this, but when the opportunity arose, I knew I had to take it. Although it was unusual and intimidating at first, it was a cool experience. It was definitely a surprise and something I will remember for years to come!
Pros
  • Learning more about the culture in Costa Rica
  • Meeting new people and making so many connections
  • Learning more about my leadership abilities
Cons
  • Lots of bugs and insects
  • Roads were very curvy (motion sickness)
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Osmin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica-Here I come!

What is there beyond your world? The internet promises to tell you, social media can show you, but to truly understand involves more curiosity. Personally, there is no other feeling like stepping out of a cold airplane into the humid air of Costa Rica, but don't take my word for it I welcome you to experience it yourself.

Global Glimpse was a genuine coach to me as an inexperienced traveler. Thanks to Global Glimpse's mentorship I was no longer simply a tourist, student, or passerby but all combined. Their well organized schedule kept the program's purpose at the forefront of our learning, with daily nightly meetings were everyone came together to share their reflections of the day, but the discussion was always centered around the prompt of the day like Community or Conservation. I also had the liberty to explore with new friends and purchase from Costa Rica's markets which saw me smiling with savory carnitas and soft oh sweet Budin(I am still waiting for the next time I get a good Budin).

My story heavily depended on the help of my family and support system, all of whom I missed dearly, but I truly made the trip a personal adventure. Because Global Glimpse provided this opportunity I was able to personally grow in ways I had not imagined.

Pros
  • Incredible food and even better service from the cooks
  • Rest from all types of electronics
  • Learn manual labor skills
Cons
  • My roommates would not let me sleep on time
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Natasha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime

To say my trip to Costa Rica with Global Glimpse changed my life would be an understatement. Throughout my two week trip, I was able to learn so much about the history and culture of Costa Rica. I interacted with locals and made conversation, especially when we visited the senior center and bonded with many elders. As a bilingual person, being able to even help with translation felt fulfilling but also educational. As I translated for my peers, I was also able to teach them words in spanish along with some local elders words in english.Towards the end of the trip my group and I were able to help fix up a skate park for the community. Of course, as we were digging holes, painting, cleaning and so much more, the locals fed us and helped us with whatever we needed. We laughed and danced with the locals that helped us despite the language barrier between many of us. We made a difference in their lives just as much as they did to us. I learned how to be appreciate everything in life and how to make sustainable change for myself and others around me. Global Glimpse has helped me and my peers become a better person. We are able to take our knowledge and skills from the trip and apply it to our daily lives when we came back.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment I faced throughout my trip is sharing a dorm with people I had just met. It is a very scary feeling having to step out your comfort zone and still stick to your routine. I got over it by just simply putting myself out there. I spoke to everyone and found common ground. I am not use to living with so many people and sharing things such as my space. So being able to be okay with being uncomfortable helped me become more comfortable.
Pros
  • I made unbreakable bonds with people
  • I was able to see life from a different perspective
  • I tried new things which made me so excited and happy
Cons
  • I didn’t have my phone for two weeks so I couldn’t tally to my mom everyday
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Victoria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Global Glimpse Experience

Being apart of Global Glimpse was an amazing experience that I got to be part of. I got to travel to an amazing country and learn so much about it. It really got me out of my comfort zone. I got to meet so many amazing people and create some good bonds. The activities we did made me really get close to everyone in the program. I got to try the different food and got to work within the community. It was an overall amazing experience and I would definitely recommend people to go on a Global Glimpse trip.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
One piece of advice I would give to future travelers is to keep an open mind. Being open minded will give you an overall amazing experience. Be open minded about what you are doing, what you are learning about, what you are eat, who you are talking to etc. Being open minded will make the trip more fun.
Pros
  • Meeting New People
  • Getting to see a different country
  • A good learning opportunity
Cons
  • Bugs
  • You will get tired
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aniza
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-Changing experience!

Choosing to be apart of this community was the greatest experience I could’ve ever made! This trip taught me empathy and compassion, it revealed to me parts of my personality that I cherish deeply now and help me meet my forever best friends. Getting the true experience of this country through service-learning, getting the chance to improve and branch out my leadership skills and expand my horizon. Experiences such as connecting with locals through C.A.P was heartwarming and perspective changing!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take in every moment! This trip is truly perspective changing. Taking risks and building relationships is one of the great things from the trip!
Pros
  • Empathy and Compassion
  • Grow relationships with different students in different backgrounds
  • Become a better leader and person
Cons
  • Weather changes frequently
  • Getting used to sharing room with strangers
  • Homesickness in start of trip
8 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers