Vanessa, 24years, Austria.

I planned to do a 2-month volunteer staying with children in the local IMAS children’s center for low income families and helping with the dogs at the domestic animal rescue. Unfortunately, Covid-19 pandemic developed after one month and a few days into my program. Luckily, the program director was efficient in quickly reacting to the situation in various ways: emergency food preparation, emergency coordination with the embassy and airport, and offered continued housing as long as I needed it for until the situation resolved. During the crisis, I especially appreciated the program director making me feel as a part of her family, she cooked all sorts of delicious local dishes for me to try out and I was able to spend quality time with her baby Sofia, watching her learn how to walk. We developed a close relationship during quarantine, spending most mornings walking and getting to know each other through the countryside and beautiful scenery. I recommend the program if you want to experience the charm of Costa Rica in daily life. The program really helps participants to immerse into the culture, make unforgettable experiences and acquaintances and also to improve or learn Spanish. At the same time you can enjoy nearby touristic attractions like going to the amazing waterfalls, enjoying time on the beach, boat trips, museums, indigenous tribes, and experiencing the local cuisine. For me it was an unforgettable, amazing experience!