Summer Programs 2008
CONEXIONES: Costa Rica Summer 2008
A SUMMER PROGRAM FOR NINTH & TENTH GRADERS
Dates: Late June 18 - July 19 (tentative)
Grades: 9,10
Spanish Language Immersion/Service Learning
Prerequisites: Spanish I
1 credit
Contact: Chris Appleby
Costa Rica is a country with a long tradition of democracy and a commitment to protecting its natural resources. It is a land of volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches contained within the borders of one small country. Conexiones students will have the opportunity to experience small-town living while learning Spanish, working with the community, and enjoying nature’s treasures.
We will spend the majority of the summer in the Monteverde/Santa Elena area. The program is designed to create maximum opportunity for Maret students to connect with their Costa Rican peers. Students will live with local families who have children of the same age. Our students will also have Spanish classes for which they are divided by level into two groups. These classes are taught by native Costa Ricans and are for the Maret group only. Through all of these experiences, students improve their Spanish fluency by interacting in real life situations with families, their peers, and in the community. Additionally, they gain awareness of language subtleties and improve accuracy through feedback from native speakers.
The students have a daily “RAP” class with their Maret teachers (RAP stands for Reflexionar, Apoyar, and Planear which translates in English to Reflect, Support, and Plan). These classes are used to discuss information learned and presented at school, on field trips, and in lectures and to process experiences students have with their Costa Rican families and friends. Students are also given journal entries for the week and presented with cultural tid-bits (such as typical foods or vocabulary/phrases used in the area). They also share highlights, lowlights, and other anecdotal stories and are given the opportunity to express their needs, concerns, and questions. In addition, we use this time to explain logistical information and the upcoming schedule.
The goal of the field trips and lectures is to learn about the culture, history, and environmental concerns of the Monteverde area while interacting with the local people and being exposed to the language. Through these events our students gain an in-depth understanding of Costa Rican life and issues of the area.
Our service projects are designed to bring the pieces of our students’ experience full circle. Maret students will be educated on the importance of these projects alongside their Costa Rican peers in hopes they will all gain an understanding of how tourism impacts the environment, economy, and politics of the area. As they work, our students have the chance to improve their language skills and understanding of the culture while being given yet another opportunity to build relationships with Costa Rican youth. In general, these projects provide us the chance to give back to the community that has embraced us.
