SPI Announces High School Service & Immersion Programs in Costa Rica

Online, February 1, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Since 1996, SPI Study Abroad has provided the highest quality language immersion and cultural exchange programs for high school students. SPI will now also be including an additional community service component to the Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica beginning summer 2013.

While the Costa Rica program with SPI has in past years included a community service project for an afternoon group activity, the total number of service hours on the Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica program will now entail at least 12 hours, depending on the length of the summer immersion program and other variables such as schedule and inclement weather.

"Part of our mission at SPI Study Abroad is for high school student participants to attain global perspectives through their experiences studying abroad on our summer immersion programs. The volunteer service learning program in Costa Rica offers the best of both SPI language immersion, with an added emphasis on service based learning within the local community in Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica," said SPI executive director and co-founder Jeremy Goodwin.

Students will engage in volunteer experiences in the mornings, followed by the standard intensive Spanish language and culture courses in the afternoons. Summer service opportunities will include projects such as home repair and painting, assisting at public facilities, work with local churches, orphanages, parks, and many other local community ventures in Costa Rica.

"One of my favorite parts of the SPI Costa Rica program this summer was the service project we did together" said Natalie, SPI Costa Rica Summer 2012 participant. "It was a wonderful way to feel connected to the community and interact with the locals. It was one of the best summers and an experience I'll remember for a lifetime."

SPI Study Abroad, the leading provider of immersion and study abroad programs for high school students, is accepting enrollments for the summer 2013 program sessions in Costa Rica. Application deadline is March 1. Find out more about these incredible study abroad and community service opportunities now.

About SPI Study Abroad
SPI High School Study Abroad offers high quality Spanish, French, Italian and Chinese language and culture immersion summer programs exclusively for high school students since 1996.