Volunteering at CPI - Monteverde

  Costa Rica

• Monteverde: 
Monteverde

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: CPI's Volunteer Program in Costa Rica is designed for students who, while visiting this beautiful part of the world, wish to enrich their stay by working in an area of their interest that will benefit the country.

* Teaching or assisting in CPI's English Department

CPI has an English as a Foreign Language program, offering classes from January to November. Classes are typically scheduled in the afternoons and evenings, and participation is possible while the volunteer is a CPI Spanish student or once they have concluded their Spanish classes.

* The Ecological Sanctuary

The Santuario Ecologico in Monteverde is a refuge for wildlife administrated by a Costa Rican family that offers walks on trails, through a forest with beautiful viewpoints, two large waterfalls, coffee and banana plantations and the opportunity to see many birds.

The goal is to maintain the Sanctuary and projects of conservation, with the aim to preserve and regenerate the forest and live in harmony with nature.

* The Santa Elena Reserve

Volunteering: full time. Located in the Monteverde area, the Santa Elena Reserve was established in 1998 not only to protect the forest and its flora and fauna, but to directly benefit the people in nearby communities as well. It has a great biodiversity of species and habitats, where populations of animals that were previously endangered have risen (i.e. the agouti, jaguar and the resplendent quetzal). Volunteers work in trail maintenance specifically entails: building trails, carrying sand bags, helping lay bricks for the trails, painting the bunkers, and maintenance of the suspension bridge.

* The Hidden Valley Trail

In 1979 Davis Savage acquired these 11 hectares. At this time the land was dedicated to farming. He decided to protect it, converting it into what is today Hidden Valley Trail. This ecotourism project allows visitors to enjoy day and night hikes, while taking in the diversity of flora and fauna found within the forests. The mission is to understand and protect this marvelous ecosystem. Previous interview to place the volunteer in the program.

Highlights: CPI Monteverde was established as an extension of CPI in 1996. The Monteverde zone, which includes ten towns and 8,000 people, is situated on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The region is well known for its commitment to the sustainable development of the community and the conservation of the cloud forest reserves. This area is a rural region and is a 5-hour bus ride from San Jose. Buses travel daily to and from Monteverde at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The average daily temperature is 18º to 24° C (65º to 75° F). The climate is typically cool and at times wet. If you plan to visit during the rainy season (May - December), we recommend bringing rain gear and waterproof shoes or boots (especially if you plan to visit the reserves) as well as pants, long-sleeved shirts and a light jacket. Click here for more information on WHAT TO BRING.

In Monteverde, CPI is dedicated to working closely with the community to find VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for interested students. Positions include: volunteering in the Santa Elena Reserve or trail maintenance in one of the forests in Cerro Plano.

Monteverde offers abundant opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, and exploring the local cloud forest reserves. Students can take horseback rides to see the sun set over the Nicoya golf, zip through the canopy of the cloud forest and take weekend trips to the Arenal Volcano or Manuel Antonio National Park.
In addition, cultural events, such as live music, poetry reading, movie night and festivals, are organized regularly in Monteverde.

Qualifications:
* at least 18 years old
* volunteers should be registered for classes at CPI for a minimum of two weeks

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years old and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Centro Panamericano de Idiomas's Mission Statement: To be the best language school in Latin America. Today, with three campuses across Costa Rica, each operating independently with the same high quality service, CPI is working to achieve its mission. We continue to accomplish the following goals year after year: * To invest in the quality of our professors by attending annual language conferences, providing regular training seminars, and consistently updating our teaching methodologies and materials. * To provide superior student services by reviewing and incorporating student feedback into our programs, improving our educational facilities, and attending to each student's individual needs. * To offer high quality education at a competitive price. * To increase global communication through language immersion and cultural education.

Year Founded: 1991