Scholarship Program Coordinator/ESL Teacher

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Heredia

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: Jul-Dec 2009

Description: Located on the Sarapiqui River, the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to linking the community with conservation and ecotourism.

We are currently looking for a Scholarship Program Coordinator to lead, supervise and manage the high school scholarship program to begin in January 2010. While education is free in Costa Rica, attending high school can be costly for many families in the Sarapiqui region. Expenses such as uniforms, books, copies and transportation make it difficult for families to be able to send their children to high school. The high school scholarship program aims to support families through facilitating international donations with local high school students. The program also provides monthly meetings and environmental programming, ongoing career and future planning for older students, and opportunities for students to discuss and work on environmental and social problems facing their communities.

Highlights: With several tourist attractions in Heredia, probably the most famous is the Volcan Barva, inside the Braulio Carrillo National Park. One of the few volcanoes that tourists can climb, the Volcan Barva has wonderful green pastures at its base and majestic cloud forests near its summit. For those who want to enjoy a more relaxing trip head north, where you can stay in fire-warmed cottages near quaint restaurants that serve simple fare cooked over coffee-wood fires. This is idyllic for those who wish to spend a quiet vacation amidst nature.

The Braulio Carrillo and Tapantí National Parks sit in the north of Heredia and are packed with a plethora of wildlife. Lush and thick due to constant rainfall, these parks offer bird lovers a rare glimpse of the quetzal, one of the most culturally significant birds in Central America. Among the other animals that one can catch sight of are pumas and tapirs that tend to live in denser forestation. Other attractions in Heredia include the Butterfly Farm, El Mundo de las Serpientes and Zoo Ave, which offer a less dangerous view, but equally fantastic view of Costa Ricas wildlife.

Qualifications:
Qualified applicants must have the following requirements:
* High level of Spanish and English
* Experience working with youth and mentorship
* Interest in environmental education
* Experience in community development
* Interest in living in a rural yet dynamic part of Costa Rica

Salary / Pay: Volunteers live with a local family and are provided a monthly stipend to cover this expense. Home stays provide a private room, food, and laundry.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 22+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center's Mission Statement: The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center works to foster education, environmental conservation, artistic expression and responsible tourism in the rural communities of Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. Our goal is to be a resource for the Sarapiqui community by providing and coordinating activities that will both enhance their education and support sustainable development in the area.

Year Founded: 1993