Costa Rica intensive

3 months I lived in Costa Rica, 2 ½ months of this time I worked as a volunteer in La Mision Bajo Tejares in San Ramon, a nice town with a pleasant climate northwest of San José. First of all I can say that the stay was an extraordinary and wonderful experience for me.
During the preliminary meeting in Germany, I realized very quickly that as a 62-year-old person I had little chance of meeting aged volunteers during my stay in Costa Rica. I was the only one among (very nice) young adults, most of them had just graduated from high school. I am very glad that this circumstance did not stop me from my intention!
I lived in a Costa Rican family together with another young German volunteer. Despite initial communication problems (my Spanish was still very poor when I left Germany), I felt very well there. The daughter of the house spoke English with me, if there was no other way and the German volunteer was also a great support. I was invited to family activities, but I could also retire, if I felt like it. I especially remember the family trip to the sea over New Year's Eve, to which I was taken along: extended family, big house, relaxed company with a lot of fun, swimming in the warm Pacific, wonderful! I felt well integrated and nearly as a member of the family.
I felt sad when I left.
Voluntary service: Here, too, I have had good experiences. I found the staff to be very nice and very attentive to the children / teenagers and adults. I was allowed to work with the children and adolescents in a reading and calculating program, to prepare for parties, to help with cooking, to write lists, to do handicrafts ... I have received good insights into the lives of the people (Nicaraguan refugees). That was sometimes emotionally disturbing, because the conditions in which they live are quite difficult. At work I sometimes wished that I had started learning Spanish earlier, so I could have made easier contact with the children / young people.
Again, my farewell was not easy.
The support before the trip by Experiment e.V. and in Costa Rica by INLEXCA I found to be very pleasant and supportive. Tanya, our caregiver, lovingly looked after and helped when needed. She even helped me when I was looking for Christmas presents for my host family!
The young volunteers on site were really nice, several times they tried to involve me. I really appreciated that. Especially the contact with the young volunteer in my family was extraordinarily positive for me. Nevertheless it would have been nice, if among the volunteers there would have been some of my age. On the weekends you have time to go on excursions. And the idea of what you want to do differs slightly depending whether you are 20 or 60 years old.
Finally, I can say that this "experiment" has been completely successful. I do not want to miss the experiences I made. Also for people of my age such an intensive getting to know a foreign country is infinitely enriching.