Costa Rica | Open-Enrollment: Leadership Intensive

Once we receive your application and reserve a space for you in the program, we provide you access to a password-protected webpage designed specifically for your program. There, we post information about passports and visas, detailed packing lists, all necessary travel information, information about your leaders, and much more! We’re also always on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Global Routes accepts students 15-18 from all over the world!  Right-fit participants are those looking for something more community-driven than a teen-tour and more culturally engaging than strictly outdoor education programs. Global Routes participants return as more confident, directed, self-aware, and adventurous global citizens with a better understanding of the unique contributions they offer their communities and the world. 

We expect you to have a positive attitude, demonstrate patience and flexibility in the face of the inherent challenges of group living (especially in a foreign country), be sensitive to the cultures and customs of your host community, contribute to a positive group experience, and abide by the  student contract you sign on the application. No previous construction, teaching, or foreign language experience is necessary.

Overview: Level One policies will result in immediate dismissal. Level Two policies have potential for immediate dismissal or will result in a verbal or written B-Plan which identifies behavior or concerns, outlines steps to correct or make amends, and states clear consequences if steps are not met. Of course, continued violation of policies will result in dismissal from the program in every case.

Level One 

1. No alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs: This includes the consumption, purchase, possession, or proximity to alcohol or drugs that are illegal in the U.S.A. and/or in countries where Global Routes travels. This also includes abuse or misuse of prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs. 
2. No sexual misconduct: All students are expected to contribute to a safe and positive learning environment. 

Level Two 

1. No “dangerous” or harmful behaviors: This includes riding motorcycles, participating in unsanctioned adventure activities, breaking laws, not informing your Overseas Educator about your location, and not adhering to curfews set by the Overseas Educators. This also includes physical abuse, bullying, and harassment of others. 
2. Try culturally, personally, and emotionally: This means being present: no exclusive relationships, full participation in all aspects of the program, and adherence to the technology policy. 
3. I will abide by all group agreements: Group agreements are created by students and Overseas Educators during in-country orientation. 
4. Treat spaces, myself, and others with respect: This includes treating all members of my group, local contacts, property, and others with respect while traveling, regardless of race, culture, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. This also includes culturally appropriate clothing/language, and individual space/belongings. 

* Global Routes reserves the right to dismiss at the expense of the participant, without refund or issuance of community service hours.

Living conditions will vary throughout your program, but they will always be safe and comfortable. During orientation and final travel you stay with your group in family-run guesthouses or small hostels or hotels.

If your program includes a homestay, during the homestay portion of your program, your entire group will stay in one village where you and a partner live in a simple and rustic home, constructed of wood or cement block. When hosted, not all homes will have electricity or indoor plumbing. 

In each destination we have in-country staff who identify potential communities and  interview and select each host family. Prior to the start of your program, one of your leaders makes an additional pre-trip visit to your community to meet with village leaders, members of the project committee, and all host families. 

At other points in the program, we will find ourselves in hotels, hostels, or even camping as the final itinerary indicates.

We present all students with a certificate noting the number of completed service hours. You will complete anywhere between 40 and 100 community service hours, depending on your program. Each school determines whether or not Global Routes service hours meet their requirements. We’re happy to communicate with your school service advisor ahead of time to answer any questions they may have about your service work.

It’s really “Limited Tech.” We intentionally schedule calls home to family every other week. Students are otherwise asked to put away their phones, and engage with each other, life, surroundings, and the incredible opportunities they have immediately next to them. 

We’ve all seen the studies, and growing number of schools and school districts establishing cell-phone free expectations, and reporting excellent results – which feels especially relevant in a post-COVID world.  

• We appreciate that cell phones can be helpful when meeting your leader or parent on travel days and therefore we welcome the use of cell phones for communication on the first and last days. Cell phone use is otherwise not allowed during the course of the program except for those scheduled calls.
• Note, we regularly make exceptions that are aimed at growth and education, with the support of mental health professionals and family. 

Although this can be daunting at first, most students cite the lack of phones as one of their FAVORITE parts of the Global Routes summer program!

Global Routes stays in close contact with each program and receives updates every day. We are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to our group leaders for the entire summer, and provide regular updates via email and blog posts to parents, guardians, and mentors back home.