Program Reviews

My time in Costa Rica volunteering with Maximo was short but extremely rewarding! The staff are very nice and are here to always help if the volunteers need anything. Working in the childcare program was extremely fun. The kids love to play soccer and hang out with the volunteers; going into this program I thought I would be mainly helping the children with their English (which I did) but they also helped me with my Spanish. During my time in this program, I was able to really get to know the kids and the teachers. They all are very caring and patient. This program or any other program with Maximo Nivel is worth it! Also, consider taking the Spanish classes offered through Maximo Nivel. The teachers here really help you learn the language. Overall, this program was life-changing!

I came as a certified language teacher, confident in my teaching style and methods. However, this course, specifically the director, Audra Wooldridge, pushed me to improve my skills and eventually I was able to get my students to talk for 80% of class time! I know that has never happened in one of my lessons in the US. She is an absolute queen. She had me cracking up every single day, she had invaluable information about everything from classroom management to where you should go on your weekend getaways while in Costa Rica. You should definitely take this course if you have ANY interest in teaching English in the future. I adored my host family, the support staff and my location in Manuel Antonio! I would suggest bringing a laptop if you have one.

The turtle conservation project was both rewarding and extremely enjoyable. Not only do you get to work up close with wildlife but also you get to make a real difference to the environment and community. The activities that you get involved in were extensive and there is such a large variety. It was very well organised and you get very immersed in the Costa Rican culture which is nothing short of amazing. The people at the program and all of the staff involved in getting you there were extremely helpful and welcoming. I always felt like I had someone to talk to and felt very safe. It is an experience I will never forget and I didn't want to leave when it came to the end of my program! I may even return myself as I enjoyed it so much so I definitely recommend it.

I have attended Maximo Nivel Language School to improve my Spanish for several years. I have always been more than satisfied, since I think in Spanish thanks to Maximo Nivel. I would recommend it to all levels of fluency; beinners to advanced.

This was my first time studying abroad, and I'm really glad I went through Maximo Nivel to complete my TEFL certification. From the initial communication, to the course material, to the job finding assistance, I felt that it was a complete and personalized experience. The school is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, a 10-minute bus ride from gorgeous beaches. In the surrounding area are shops and great restaurants to choose from. My program included housing with an authentic Costa Rican family, which meant that I had support getting to the know the area and culture. My favorite part of the TEFL course was actually getting hands-on training by teaching real students for my last week. By the time I was done, I had 2 job offers, so my intensive 4-work course helped me to get to the next adventure in my life!

What a great program! I found the program suitable for all ages. It is fun, educational, hands-on as well as science-oriented. The community and beach clean-ups were appropriate to the program. The caring for the turtles and their eggs were thoroughly wonderful experiences; releasing baby turtles from the hatchery to the Pacific Ocean at dusk was magical; and finally gathering scientific information about the nesting turtles at night was just incredible. The food was plenty and delicious, and the people who run the program on the site, Akiho and Jairo, just made the experience a sweet and unforgettable one. They were kind, caring, understanding, responsible, and always positive. They made sure the work was done in the most precise and cooperative way.

Maximo Nivel's TEFL course in Antigua exceeded my expectations by a long shot. Everything was clear, organized, and packed with info and prep to become the best TEFL teacher as possible. Karen Wilke is the instructor and is extremely experienced. She directs the class in a fun, personable way, while constructively encouraging her students to work harder to perform better. The first day she said, "I will give you 200% and I expect half of that." By the end of the course, that statement was completely true. I would suggest this course to all my family and closest friends if they were interested in taking TEFL.

Also, GO GUATEMALA! It's the most beautiful country I've seen. Furthermore, Antigua (look it up!) is a beautiful historic city that feels like a vacation all the time with all its restaurants, cafes, panaderias, and terraces within walking distance.

I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Maximo Nivel with a medical project for 4 weeks. As an RN, I was excited to use my skills abroad, immerse myself in a new culture, learn basic Spanish, and explore my surroundings. I would say with Maximo Nivel it is quite easy to check off all of these ambitions. Maximo did a great job communicating with me about my arrival in Antigua. I felt supported as soon I got into the country. They have a great facility in the middle of Antigua where you can rest in the outdoor garden, chat with other volunteers and students, and even schedule expeditions.

I stayed with a host family for the duration of my stay, and honestly that was a highlight. It seemed like most home stays had multiple volunteers/students, so this was a great way to meet new friends as well as great place to practice our toddler level Spanish at the dinner table.

I was placed in a health center in a town that is located about 20 minutes outside of Antigua. Not only did Maximo make sure I felt comfortable getting there, they also would check in at my placement a few times a week. It was great to assist the nurses with their written documentation system, help with consultations and vaccinations, as well as teach the kids good hand hygiene.

There is also so much to do in and around Antigua. I would recommend using your free weekends to visit Lake Atitlan, the beaches, or climb the nearby volcanoes.

All in all, a great experience!!!

This experience at Maximo Nivel has opened my eyes to the possibility of teaching all over the world. This was by far one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Sean the teacher of the TEFL course is one of the most incredible individuals I have ever met. The course includes a lot of information, so get ready to work hard, but it is so worth it!!! This course includes an intro week where you learn about teaching methodologies and practice teaching a mini lesson in the first week. These mini lessons provide assistance in your own teaching and allows you to get hands on experience right away. The second week is grammar week and you do two mini lessons and a grammar paper. You will have to observe other classes in the institute, this helps get an idea of the type of teacher you would like to be. The last week was my favorite and was practical teaching week, where you are assigned your own class and get to teach them all week! The students are amazing and you learn so much within this week. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in learning about the world and teaching abroad. The only downside is that I DO NOT recommend getting housing through Maximo, it is expensive and not worth the price. You can find higher quality and more affordable housing on your own, so don't be afraid! Check on facebook for housing listings. :)

This was a great course in a great location! Sean, the teacher, is the best person in the world and works extremely hard to help us reach success! We all came out of TEFL more confident and qualified to reach our goals! We made lifelong friends and openes the door for so many amazing opportunities! If you wish to grow yourself, this program is for you! The only negative is the housing through Maximo. We overpayed for an apartment through them. We moved out within a week because it did not meet the expectations they provided us. We were refused a refund. Find your own housing, you can find great accommodations for waaaay cheaper than Maximo. Besides that, I highly recommend this course! Broaden your horizons! Remember, there is no comfort in growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone!