Program Reviews

I was in the EVOLC (formerly known as CREST) program in 2009, as one of the first volunteers. The program gave us a 2-week training period, which was quite useful, and then we were placed in our respective locations. I moved to the rural town of Uvita, in the South Pacific. Transportation was ok, but I bought a scooter to be able to go to the beach without waiting for the bus once every 2 hours. The people were very friendly - and I still have friends I can visit!

The culture is PURA VIDA, which translates to LIFE IS GOOD. If you don't mind the humidity and enjoy a tropical climate, then this is the place for you!

Self-starters need apply, because you will most likely be the first in a community that has not had a teacher before. This means you are in charge of the curriculum, hours, materials, and placing your students in the correct levels. Shy people need not apply!

What you put into this program, you will get out of it. I taught 20 hours a week, with about 10 hours of work on preparation. It was "English by Kelly" and I loved it!

Be willing to learn Spanish. And don't forget your bug spray and sun lotion, and especially an open mind!

Good luck, and enjoy the ride. PURA VIDA!

When I did this program I was fresh out of my TEFL class, certificate still warm in my hand. I think that it was a good start to my English teaching career, having to design classes on my own and come up with activities and things on my own. It was definitely challenging but very rewarding in the end. Costa Rica is an amazing country with down to earth people and I enjoyed it. My day to day experiences included two classes a day of about 2 hours each class four out of five days a week. We worked with mostly adults and young people who were involved in tourism in the area of Liberia. The family I stayed with were darling and very helpful in the installation of me in the community and also working with the Camara de Turismo to make sure I had everything I needed. I would definitely reccomend this program to those looking for a challenge and looking to lend 5-6 months to helping a community advance.

I absolutely loved living in Costa Rica. I loved teaching and my students and ultimately they were the reason that I did not leave early, even though I was extremely frustrated with EVOLC at many times to the point that I considered leaving.

This non-profit is very disorganized. There were many things that we were initially told- that did not end up happening (for example we were told that EVOLC would organize an end of the term get together with the other volunteers and leaders, which just never happened).

The same standards were not applied across the board, some volunteers were told that they had to have a TEFL certificate and pay full price, while others did not have to do the certification and did not pay to be in the program. I also was not told that my students would have to be paying for their classes- which made no sense to me because I was paying to volunteer there to offer what I thought would be free classes.

I expressed these grievances multiple times and was not heard.

Overall, I absolutely loved living in Costa Rica. I would go back again in a heartbeat. But- I would go with a more organized program. I wish there had been a website like this when I was looking so I would have known what to expect.

The volunteer program was an overall great experience! Living with a host family was exactly what I wanted, loving people who took me in and treated me as their own. Not only did they do that, they showed me Costa Rica while helping me learn the language and experience their culture.

Teaching was definitely a challenge! With no in-class experience, the students were patient with me and just excited to be there! They were the reason my classes were so enjoyable and made me want to help them learn and succeed. They also became some of my very best friends.

Truly embracing the culture and seeing how learning English can affect your student's lives in such a positive aspect is what made this such a life changing experience. I will always be grateful for what volunteering abroad helped me learn and for the new family, friends, and students I have made in Costa Rica...PURA VIDA!!

My biggest complaint was that the old program coordinator told me one thing, and when I got to my location nothing was what I was told. He said, I would live with a family, I lived in a hotel that was completely vacant except for me. I would have lesson plans, there were none. I would have books, only one book was provided and it was for the wrong level. I would teach 4 days a week, I taught 6 with Sunday as a travel day. I would teach in one community, I taught in 3, I paid my own transportation and got reimbursed biweekly. The idea of the program is what got me there in the first place, but the disorganization of the program was just too much. I hope the new organization does a better job, and respects their volunteers and tells them the truth about what to expect.

Costa Rica was recently named "the happiest country in the world," again! I immediately recognized this from the hospitality of the host families and the wonderful, grateful students!

Everyday after class my students thanked me and they generally meant it. It was is so rewarding to be also to offer free English classes to those of whom wouldn't be able to take these classes otherwise, and they are truly grateful.

The host families treat volunteers like a member of the family. The food is delicious and plentiful, and there's always fresh tropical fruit.

EVOLC is the greatest volunteer organization because the staff is incredibly caring and supportive. They genuinely believe in EVOLC's mission and are available 24/7 for support. They have locations all over the country to choose from, whether you want to live on a small beach town, in the mountains, or in a big city.