Costa Rica – Pura Vida – F23

Status

Closed

Trip Destination

San Jose, Costa Rica

Approximate Price

$1400 (BWR Grant Applied)

Trip Date

10/21/2023

TO

10/29/2023

Application Deadline

04/17/2023

APPLY NOW

Cost Information

Cost for Domestic Students: $500-$1000 (includes IFS + BWR Course)
Cost for International Students: $1000 (includes IFS + BWR Course)
Cost for Students Not Willing to Take the BWR Course: ~$5000 (Full amount of IFS)

Above costs are for International Field Studies, for other programs please see the approximate cost listed above.

Program Information

This opportunity is available to all full-time and part-time Niagara College students currently enrolled in any program.

 

Physical Intensity

Accommodations

Meals

Steps to Apply

Costa Rica – Pura Vida – F23

Join Be World Ready this fall and experience the beauty, excitement, and Pura Vida of Costa Rica!  Pura Vida, it is not just a saying, it is a way of life directly translating to “Pure Life”, this tiny, but mighty country surely lives up to its motto. From its vast biodiversity, dedication to the environment, amazing scenery, to the enchanting and happy people that occupy it, the Pura Vida way of life will leave you forever wanting more!

Arrive in San Jose and prepare for the inspiring week ahead! This week you will visit some of the most iconic areas of Costa Rica, such as San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park, and Punta Leona Forest, while becoming educated about Costa Rica’s dedication to our planet by way of the use and development of sustainable initiatives. Allow yourself to become captivated by the beauty of Costa Rica and feel empowered by their ability to evoke environmental change, and your ability to contribute towards positive change that will create a greener future for all to enjoy!

They say that seeing is believing and what better way to learn the way of Pura Vida other than to sign up today and put travel and enhanced education on your calendar this Fall.  Costa Rica is waiting for you.

My Advisor
Elisabeth Vint
Study + Work Abroad Advisor
Phone: 905-735-2211 x 3669
Location: Daniel J. Patterson Campus

Travel Visa + Immigration Documentation:

Students are responsible for researching and applying for any required visa(s) or ETIAS on their own; Be World Ready is not able to apply for any travel visa(s) or ETIAS on your behalf. Be World Ready will provide you with supporting documentation 11 weeks before departure to apply for a Visa as long as you have confirmed your appointment date at [email protected]. All international students will need to ensure that their Study Permits and Student Visas are not expired before the date of return from the international experience, to ensure that there are no challenges upon reentry to Canada. Travel restrictions and requirements for entry to Canada may change at any time. All travellers are responsible for remaining up to date with any restrictions and requirements for travel and re-entry to Canada leading up to and throughout their International Field Study. Niagara College Canada will assume no responsibility for any changes to governing body travel restrictions, required documentation for travel or any refused entry as a result of change. Travellers are encouraged to review the Government of Canada Website for the latest restrictions and requirements for entry to Canada, as well as to check entry requirements to their destination country as a Canadian citizen. If an ETIAS is not acquired, a visa appointment is not secured, or if a visa application is rejected, Niagara College and Be World Ready are unable to refund any payments made. All payments made towards the International Field Study are final.

All international or domestic students, in full-time or part-time* status, and in good academic standing at Niagara College, are eligible for a Be World Ready grant to help offset the cost of their international experience. You must be actively enrolled in studies during the term of travel to participate. International Field Studies participation is permitted only for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS since beginning their studies at Niagara College. Students will not directly receive grant money as the full value of the grant has already been applied to the final payment to offset the total cost of the learning experience abroad. For students who do not complete all grant requirements by established deadlines (including the time of submission), the full grant amount may be charged directly to their student account. Details on grant requirements will be shared with you as part of the mandatory Be World Ready (SOCL 1128 or IDPL 9103) course, which all students participating in a Be World Ready International Field Study must enroll in and successfully complete. Eligibility requirements can vary from term-to-term, and from one opportunity to the next. Please complete the eligibility quiz linked on the specific opportunity page to determine if you meet eligibility requirements.

*Part-time students, are defined by Be World Ready as those actively enrolled in a Niagara College program, taking a minimum of 2 classes during the term of travel that contribute to their program progression and credential completion. Students taking a class that does not contribute to a program would not qualify to participate in a Be World Ready International Field Study.

DAY 1: Saturday, October 21, 2023

Ready, set, go! Join your Niagara College peers at Toronto Pearson International Airport to board your Air Canada flight to San Jose and prepare yourself for the trip of a lifetime! This week, you will learn all about the Pura Vida way of life and the steps that we can all take to live a greener life and protect the Earth’s environmental future.

Upon arrival in San Jose, board your private transportation to be taken to your hotel and rest up for the exciting week ahead!

Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2: Sunday, October 22, 2023

Wake up feeling rested and ready to seize the day! We get an early start as we travel to the area of Sarapiqui, located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica. We arrive to Tirimbina, a local community that works with a conservation model that consists of three hubs that compliment each other well: scientific research, environmental education, and ecotourism. Their research contributes to conservation strategies, coupled with educating and raising awareness that involves the community in forest protection, with ecotourism generating the funds needed to support the projects.

This afternoon, we learn the ins and outs of one of mankind’s favourite foods, chocolate. Our exploration of chocolate includes a hike explaining the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree, and demonstrations of the artisanal process involved with turning the cacao fruit into chocolate. Fun fact, the cultivation of the cacao plant is one of the friendliest to the environment. A fascinating and delicious afternoon!

  • Visit Tirimbina
  • Learn about the artisanal process of chocolate

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Monday, October 23, 2023

This morning we get a glimpse of the leading-edge research conducted at the La Selva Research Station. La Selva’s influence on tropical ecology is immeasurable and of great cultural significance, having served as a key training and research site for numerous professional scientists. Enjoy a half day tour of the forest lead by incredible naturalists..

After a delicious lunch at Tirimbina, we tour a 33 hectare organic pineapple plantation to discover (and taste!), a way of life that has been built around an authentic, organic philosophy and life-long commitment to protecting the sanctity of the land.

Following our visit at the pineapple plantation, we transfer to the incredible Rancho Margot. A leader in sustainability, Rancho Margot is off the grid and are said to be building a regenerative wonderland right in the heart of Costa Rica’s mountain rainforest.

  • Visit La Selva Research Station
  • Visit an organic pineapple farm
  •  Transfer to Rancho Margot

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

We will spend the day here enjoying all the incredible amenities that Rancho Margot has to offer! We will have our choice of several activities to participate in today, including horseback riding, kayaking, night walks, and a soap workshop. With Rancho Margot’s natural pools built with river rocks that are filled with pure untreated crystalline water from natural springs, beautiful gardens, and authentic home-grown food, it is surely to be a delightful day.

  • Enjoy a day of activities at Rancho Margo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

We check out of our accommodations this morning travel to our next destination, Monteverde, by boat cruise!  Travel to the Arenal Lake Dam dock and board a covered 22 passenger boat and cruise across Lake Arenal to reach Rio Chiquito dock. Enjoy the magnificent views of Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde mountain range from the water. What a cool way to travel!

This afternoon, we check in at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve’s Tropical Science Centre where we will stay for two nights. Our daily adventure doesn’t end here – we’re going ziplining! Fly like a bird as we take to the skies and explore the best zip lines and adventures that Costa Rica has to offer.

  • Travel by boat to Monteverde
  • Experience ziplining!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Thursday, October 26, 2023

After breakfast, we check out of the lodge and head back toward the city to get our day started.

Costa Rica is one of the most renown destinations in the world when it comes to coffee This morning, we receive an introduction to the history of coffee and its role in local community development. We will enjoy a guided tour that will highlight the different stages of coffee farming and strategies for sustainable farming. A tour of a coffee farm of course would not be complete without tasting 5 kinds of coffee!

This afternoon, we visit the University for Peace and listen to a lecture on Humanos Rights.

  • Transfer to San Jose
  • Coffee tour
  • Lecture on Humanos Rights at the University of Peace

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Friday, October 27, 2023

Set your sights towards the Central Pacific! This morning we drive to one of the most exclusive resorts in all of Costa Rica to enjoy its beautiful white sand beaches and learn about the Ara Macaw Project! This incredible project is responsible for repopulating hundreds of Ara Macaws and getting these beautiful birds back in the Costa Rican skies. We will also have a day pass to enjoy the beautiful beach this resort has to offer.

  • Learn about the Ara Macaw project
  • Enjoy some beach time

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Our final day in the incredible Costa Rica begins with a lecture about the Blue Zone of Nicoya. Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, located just south of the Nicaraguan border, is one of only 5 Blue Zones in the world. A Blue Zone is an area where residents enjoy an extraordinarily long and healthy lifespan. The Blue Zones mission focuses on the rescue of traditional Nicoya products, aiming to recover the food tradition of the oldest population in the region and expand it to the eating habits of new generations.

The rest of your day is at your leisure. Take this time to gather some last-minute souvenirs or rest and relax.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 9: Sunday, October 29, 2023

What an incredible week it has been, but it is time to say our farewells to Costa Rica and all the wonderful people we have met. Take a Little free time to make one last visit to the beautiful white Sands before heading back to San Jose to fly to Toronto. Hasta la próxima, Costa Rica.

Disclaimers: Be World Ready does their best to execute the itinerary as outlined above, however all elements are subject to change based on availability or requirement to adapt due to circumstances outside of our control. Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to research the entry requirements to the destination countries visited per their nationality and vaccination status.

* Price per student is in Canadian Dollars and reflects the Be World Ready (BWR) grant which has been applied to the total trip cost to heavily subsidize the rate per person for our Fall 2023 International Field Studies (IFS). Our future IFS BWR grants will not remain this high. To qualify for the full value of the BWR grant applied to this IFS, mandatory training and tasks are required to be completed, training and task expectations will be clearly communicated by BWR staff upon registration. Failure to complete the requirements as outlined by BWR staff will result in the value of the grant being billed back to the applicable student account, up to a maximum of $2500. Securing your seat on this trip will occur on a first come, first serve basis based on registration date, and meeting payment timelines.

INCLUDED:

  • Round-trip direct flights, including 1 checked bag (maximum weight is 23kg/50lb and maximum size is 158cm/62 linear inches)
  • Accommodations (tourist class in San Jose, dormitory style rustic lodge in Monteverde)*
  • Breakfast daily
  • Meals as outlined in the itinerary
  • In country transportation
  • Admissions and tours as mentioned in itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Rate per student is inclusive of taxes and fees

NOT INCLUDED:

    • Visa Fees (if necessary)
    • Passport (or any associated costs)
    • Transportation to/from Toronto
    • Meals not outlined in the itinerary
    • Souvenirs
    • Items of a personal nature
    • Departure taxes (otherwise known as an Exit Tax) or additional fees for items not noted as included, if applicable. Example of additional fees could be overweight baggage.

*Standard accommodations are twin share (double occupancy) where possible. Dormitory style accommodations may be shared with multiple students (up to 8) of the same gender. Single occupancy may be requested and a single supplement charge will be applicable. Requests cannot be guaranteed. Please email [email protected] for more details.

The Be World Ready program at Niagara College prepares you for global success through education, exchange, and international experience. This program offers you the opportunity to experience culturally diverse learning environments, understand different perspectives and connect practical skills with a global mindset to help you launch your career.
An international field study is a 7 – 10 day experience that incorporates both vocational and cultural elements, while visiting some of the world’s most famous sights! Many of our international field studies are customized for specific Schools and programs at Niagara College, allowing students to apply the skills learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. All international field studies depart during the Niagara College break weeks to ensure that students do not miss any classes.
All international field studies will include roundtrip airfare (where applicable), accommodations, travel insurance, entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary, and some meals as outlined in the itinerary. A detailed list of inclusions and exclusions will be viewable on the posted webpage for any international field study on our website. Participants can expect to purchase some meals on their own and will need to bring spending money for any souvenirs, extra excursions, incidentals or items of a personal nature.

No. All aspects noted as included in the overall cost of the selected international field study are mandatory with no exceptions made. Our international field studies are built using group pricing and it is important that we do not deviate from the inclusions as it could negatively impact our ability to offer fair pricing to all participants.

In addition to affecting group pricing, these are our Niagara College International Field Study policies, and we cannot deviate from them, as they are part of our risk mitigation and management.

No. Students are not able to book their own flight in any way or alter the flights confirmed by Be World Ready. The round-trip flights as confirmed by Be World Ready are part of the package pricing, and the group is to travel to and from the destination country together.

These are our Niagara College International Field Study policies, and we cannot deviate from them, as they are part of our risk mitigation and management.

Each international field study destination has different accommodation providers or themes. Accommodation types that are used may include a combination of dorm-style rooms, homestays, tourist class hotels, or occasionally hostels. We strive to ensure we use centrally located accommodation when in city centres, allowing our participants to explore their surroundings more easily. Private accommodation is not guaranteed.

Rooms will vary in style on each trip; however, they are commonly twin share (2 people to a room with separate beds where possible). Single rooms may be available for an additional room fee provided adequate notice is given to Be World Ready staff. We strive to ensure you have comfortable, affordable accommodations anywhere you travel.

Students will be given the opportunity to meet their fellow travellers before the deadline to submit their roommate requests. Be World Ready does their best to accommodate rooming requests, but please note that final rooming arrangements are subject to room occupancy requirements and availability. A rooming list will be created by Be World Ready staff and shared with our accommodation providers before your departure. All participants will be emailed and will have the opportunity to identify their preferred roommate(s). While we will make every effort to ensure all preferences are met, we cannot guarantee it.

As long as they are current full-time Niagara College students and meet the program eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any persons to participate in any of our international field studies that are not current full-time students at Niagara College.

In addition to regular communications shared with participants leading up to the departure of their international field study of choice, Be World Ready requires students to attend the Be World Ready course, which includes but is not limited to, online trainings and pre-departure training sessions. During the pre-departure training sessions, students will be presented with the overall expectations of the trip as well as in-depth details concerning their itinerary.

During their time abroad, students will be able to communicate with their trip leads directly, 24/7, with any questions or concerns.

All participants are required to hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond any expected date of return to participate in any opportunity involving outbound travel.

You are responsible for researching and applying for any required visa(s) on your own. Be World Ready is unable to tell you what visa you require and how to apply. Be World Ready will provide you with supporting documentation as needed to apply for a Visa. While Be World Ready is not able to advise or guide you in a heightened level of detail through any particular visa process, you may consider hiring a travel visa service to assist you with the visa application process, such as CIBT visas. Please note that Be World Ready and Niagara College do not endorse any third-party vendors, nor have any influence or control over any outcomes or services rendered. We cannot apply for a visa on behalf of any participant.

All international students will need to ensure that their Study Permits and Student Visas are not expired before the date of return from the international experience, to ensure that there are no challenges with reentry to Canada.

Yes, while it is great to have a Nexus card, all participants must hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond any expected date of return in order to participate in any opportunity outside of Canada.
Depending on your destination country, we encourage you to book an appointment with a travel health professional regarding any additional vaccinations and medications you may need. It is strongly encouraged that you book an appointment with the Campus Nurse to go over this information. To do so, please visit the medical office to book an appointment at your respective campus.
Be World Ready takes the safety of our staff and students very seriously and has a rigorous risk management assessment when creating all opportunities. Be World Ready staff monitor destination country risk levels as communicated by the Government of Canada. Your safety is the most important aspect of this trip. Be World Ready and Niagara College take all possible precautions to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable experience while travelling abroad.
Students who sign up during the active promotional period for the international field study will be presented with a payment schedule to follow. At time of registration, students will be only required to pay the full non-refundable deposit that is disclosed at time of registration. Students who are permitted to sign up late will be expected to catch up on any payments missed according to the payment schedule advertised. In some instances, there may only be one payment due date.
Complete the eligibility quiz linked on the webpage of the International Field Study you’re interested in to find out if you meet eligibility requirements.
No. Students will not directly receive grant money as the full value of the grant has already been applied to the final payment to offset the total cost of the learning experience abroad. For students who do not complete all grant requirements by established deadlines (including the time of submission), the full grant amount may be charged directly to their student account. Details on grant requirements will be shared with you as part of the mandatory Be World Ready (SOCL 1128 or IDPL 9103) course, which all students participating in a Be World Ready International Field Study must enroll in and successfully complete to receive funding.
Students are only permitted to travel on an IFS to their home country if the IFS is program specific. IFS’ that are open to students from all programs do not permit students to travel if the destination is their home country. The purpose of the grant funding is to help students gain global competencies that they would not otherwise be exposed to, and as such, travelling to destinations they’ve previously lived in does not support this goal.
Students have the potential to travel and receive funding through Be World Ready up to 2 times; students can travel once on either an International Field Study, Summer Institute, or Semester Exchange, and they can potentially travel again for a Work Abroad opportunity (if eligibility requirements are met – please note that if more applications are received than work abroad grants available, priority will be given to those who have never travelled on any type of Be World Ready experience before). So, if you’re wanting to travel on an International Field Study, note that participation on an IFS is permitted only for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS, Summer Institute, or Semester Exchange since beginning their studies at Niagara College.

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Be World Ready
Niagara College

100 Niagara College Blvd
Welland, Ontario
L3C 7L3, Canada

[email protected]

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