| There are many international volunteer organizations | | | | adjustments program the nation underwent in the 70's |
| that offer volunteer abroad programs spanning the | | | | is blamed for the budget cuts to public education. |
| globe. One country that is guaranteed to be apart of | | | | Quote from "The Ticos': |
| these organizations selections is Costa Rica. Why is | | | | "In 1978, 6.2 percent of the GDP was spent on |
| Volunteering in Costa Rica so popular? The reasons | | | | schooling; in 1992, only 2.7 percent. In the same years |
| are many, but the most popular include its relative | | | | the school systems share of the central government |
| safety and the country's distinctive geography and | | | | budget dropped from 31 percent to 18 percent. |
| landscape. No one can doubt that Costa Rica is a | | | | Meanwhile, population growth has spread these |
| beautiful country with just about all you can ask for | | | | budgets even thinner. The population grew by more |
| with its volcanoes, pristine beaches, mountains, lakes | | | | than 29 percent in the 80s, but per capita spending on |
| and wildlife. Additionally, Costa Rica is one of the most | | | | public education declined by 35 percent" |
| developed countries in Latin America. It is, for example, | | | | As a result fewer new schools have been built and |
| the country where Intel produces it microprocessors, a | | | | existing schools have not received the adequate funds |
| country that leads the international tables in Coffee | | | | to be maintained effectively and repaired when |
| and Banana exports and the country that has the | | | | required. Teaching materials are in short supply, and |
| most stable government in a troubled region. So for | | | | many teachers in rural areas have to buy material out |
| such a comparatively developed nation, why does it | | | | of their own pockets. Consequently, parents have had |
| attract so many volunteers? | | | | to financially contribute to the schools of their children. |
| We believe the reason is three-fold: | | | | Unfortunately, many parents in rural areas do not have |
| | | | the funds to support them and so the gap between |
| 1. The country is seen as a safe haven for travelers | | | | rural schools and middle class public schools continues |
| and volunteers who are new to Latin America. It is | | | | to widen. |
| perceived as a place where one can familiarize | | | | Families in rural areas continuously hold fundraising |
| themselves with Latino culture in relative safety and | | | | events within their communities to raise extra money |
| take Spanish language lessons, a needed skill for | | | | for their schools. In addition, many new teachers prefer |
| further travel on the continent. | | | | to apply for positions in the better equipped and |
| 2. Costa Rica has numerous attractions such as: | | | | well-funded schools and neighborhoods. As a result, |
| Montverde's cloud rain forest; Lake Arenal and its live | | | | rural schools are left with fewer teachers, if they have |
| volcano; Tortuguero and its turtles; a number of | | | | teachers at all. In some rural schools it's not uncommon |
| national parks and reserves; abundant wildlife from | | | | to have one teacher instruct all the grades of the |
| north to south; and to top it all, it is a water lovers | | | | school. Occasionally, teachers are even required to |
| dream with numerous beaches and great surfing | | | | work in two or more separate schools from |
| breaks. | | | | neighboring villages and towns. |
| 3. The country still struggles with funding for its | | | | In Costa Rica, even in the metropolis of San Jose, the |
| acclaimed educational system, especially in rural areas. | | | | countryside and rural areas are only a few kilometers |
| Thus, there are numerous schools and communities | | | | away. As a result, rural schools are doted all over the |
| willing and eager to have the assistance of international | | | | country. It is in these schools where international |
| volunteers who can contribute to their development. | | | | volunteers in Costa Rica are principally needed to |
| Costa Rica certainly needs volunteers when you | | | | ultimately work and donate their time. |
| consider the shape of its educational system with | | | | In conclusion, Costa Rica is a great destination and has |
| respect to the western world. Volunteers may have | | | | a great need for international volunteer teachers. |
| their unique reasons for taking a project in Costa Rica, | | | | Unfortunately, the country's ruling bodies have |
| but this disparity in education seems a sufficient | | | | neglected to promote this form of tourism and instead |
| incentive to do so. Things we take for granted such as | | | | have opted to promote its pristine beaches, national |
| adequate classrooms, water availability, footballs, | | | | parks and wildlife as the main reason for visiting Costa |
| structured and disciplined classes and even teachers | | | | Rica. Nevertheless, for international volunteer these are |
| themselves are not available to all schools. | | | | just additional benefits of volunteering in Costa Rica - |
| Historically, Costa Rica had one of the best educational | | | | the icing on the cake that makes Costa Rica an even |
| systems in the region. However, the structural | | | | greater location to volunteer. |