Still useful after 10 years!

I participated in WorldTeach's yearlong Costa Rica program over 10 years ago, yet I find that the experiences I had are still relevant to me now. Not only did I learn Spanish and gain great teaching experience, I also gained crosscultural understanding that has served me well in a variety of jobs. I also gained friends--fellow volunteers as well as my host family--with whom I'm still in touch.

During my year in Costa Rica, I taught in two small elementary schools in a rural Costa Rican village. Each day I prepared lessons and taught 3-6 English classes for 1st through 6th graders. Though teaching is a lot of work, I had plenty of time for reading, getting to know the little town and my neighbors, and exploring Costa Rica on weekends and during school vacations. I'd happily recommend the program to anyone who loves working with kids and is open to new experiences. My year of teaching in Costa Rica was not always easy, but it was incredibly valuable to me.