Testimonies Costa Rica

Eleanor Leatham Linda Tammy Aruna Ashley Drinkwalter Terri Gunter Joshua Greg Sean Carolin Danielle Angela Steiert Angela Yoo Aru David

Linh Frank Lindsay Lydia Madeline Monica Tse Mora Othman Oussama Paul Merrett Stefanie Anna Erin

Evaluation Form

Name: eleanor leatham
Date and Country of Volunteer Program: costa rica

Please rate the following as 1--poor, 2--good, 3--very good or 4-- excellent:

Please summarize your about volunteer experience (please attach extra sheet if necessary) with IFRE.

i did not meet many of the USA staff, but the few i met were really helpful and friendly.  i did get nervous the week before the trip because i had not heard from anyone from the program, which made me a little nervous.  i would have benefited from a check-in phone call, just to confirm that everything was good and in order. 

the airport pick-up was smooth and easy; very much appreciated seeings how getting to/from he airport is often the most stressful part about traveling. 

the food was very delicious except my host mom, Gena, over-fed me and and it did cause some tension.  while i enjoyed her food immensely, i like to try foods from cafes and street vendors too, and as much as i tried to communicate to her that i was not hungry and had already eaten, she was determined to continually feed me very large portions. 

Gina herself was very wonderful though! very affectionate and caring. i enjoyed her company so much and felt so welcome in her home; she is a wonderful person and i would definitely recommend her for EVERY volunteer.

the volunteer project i choose was the Turtle Program, which i was a little disappointed by.  i wish the project description had been more descriptive either on the website, or in the follow-up email.  i was expecting to work with larger, more exotic turtles, not domestic/sick turtles.  or at least have a field-trip to see the sea turtles.  the people working at the tortufauna were really wonderful, however i would not recommend this project for someone such as myself, a 26 year old visiting for a short period of time, hoping to accomplish something substantial.  i would recommend it more for young persons, or people that are not looking for a serious commitment.  i did get to visit the Coffee Program, which i feel would have been a better match for me. 

Do you recommend IFRE program for others (please circle) (i) Yes (ii) No

Can we pass your e-mail to interested potential volunteers? If yes, e-mail: eel2003@aol.com

Evaluation Form

Name: Ashley Drinkwalter
Country of Volunteer Program: Costa Rica

Please rate the following as 1--poor, 2--good, 3--very good or 4-- excellent:

Please summarize your volunteer experience (please attach extra sheet if necessary) with IFRE.

I loved my volunteer experience in Costa Rica! The host family was amazing and made me feel comfortable in their home. The food was great and everyone was friendly. The field staff were awesome and very helpful. They made sure that my volunteer experience was the best it could be. I volunteered at a childcare/orphanage. The staff there are such hard workers. The language barrier was difficult but at the end of the week I had learn a lot more spanish! The children were the best part, I loved working with them! I hope I can volunteer again someday because of the great experience I had in Costa Rica!

Do you recommend IFRE program for others (please circle) (i) Yes (ii) No

Can we pass your e-mail to interested potential volunteers? If yes, e-mail: no thank you

Evaluation Form

Name: Shaina Schafers
Date and Country of Volunteer Program:

Please rate the following as 1--poor, 2--good, 3--very good or 4-- excellent:

Please summarize your volunteer experience (please attach extra sheet if necessary) with IFRE.

I had an amazing time in Costa Rica. Tina, the country coordinator was really great and was ready to help with anything I needed. The project that I worked on was a free English classes camp for any kids that wanted to come (while they were on a two week break from school). We planned the lessons and created a fun, relaxed space in the classroom, and it was so much fun! My host family was really great; I played volleyball with my host sister all the time, listened to my brother play guitar and learnt how to salsa and meringue with my host mother on the weekends when we would go out dancing. All in all my family was really awesome and the food was great, nothing too crazy, but still different enough that it was certainly a cultural experience.

My actual house was also really great; I had my own room and space to be alone if I wanted to be. I was overwhelmed at first at the fact that my family didn’t speak English, and I didn’t speak Spanish, but as soon as I learnt the basics sit was OK. The Spanish lessons were great, and I can’t even believe how much I learnt to speak during my stay of one short, amazing, month in Costa Rica. This is the way to learn Spanish: emersion! It was also great to meet all the other volunteers, and we would often hang out in the evening at one of the restaurants/ pubs in town. The town of Atenas is safe, beautiful and full of friendly people as well. I also did the adventure tour (as part of the Youth Summer Abroad Volunteer and Adventure Tour that IFRE offers) and it was really great. It was only me, two other volunteers and our guide, which was surprising to me at first, and a little disappointing that it wasn’t a larger group, but it turned out to be really awesome anyways! Our guide was so much fun! She was also completely bilingual and knowledgeable about her country. All in all, my trip was perfect! I just wish I would have booked it for longer.

Do you recommend IFRE program for others (please circle) (i) Yes (ii) No

Can we pass your e-mail to interested potential volunteers? If yes, e-mail: shainaschafers@hotmail.com

Working at Atenas Preschool

I liked that the volunteer program offered many different options for types of volunteer work and that the whole experience is customizable for each individual. I had a wonderful time working at Atenas Preschool. The staff was so gracious and incredible with the kids. They made me feel very welcome from the beginning. The children were such a joy and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

My host family was amazing and truly treated me like a member of the family. They all were encouraging and helpful with my learning of Spanish and my host mom was extremely patient with my progress and very accommodating of my vegetarian diet.

I learned a lot and really enjoyed the Spanish classes. The teacher's humor and patience made every class enjoyable. Two hours per day was perfect.

Louisa

Our Experience in Costa Rica

We arrived in Costa Rica Jan. 1, 2007 to, luckily for us, start the new year by doing volunteer work.  Our host city was Atenas in Costa Rica and our host family could not have been nicer.  We had our own room and a large family to nurture and take care of us.  Our limited Spanish was augmented with daily Spanish lessons from a native of Atenas who enlightened us as to the history of the area.  Our volunteer work took place in a municipal forest which was a 20 minute bus ride up into the hills above Atenas.  The setting was gorgeous.  We were surrounded by green hills and mountains, cattle grazing, coffee plantations and the Pacific sparkling to the West. We maintained trails by reinforcing steps built into the hillside, building water bars, using machetes to clear the underbrush and making signs to place along the trail sides.

Highlights of our trip included:  Living in a beautiful climate and city, riding the bus to and from our work, learning Spanish from funny, patient Yadira, enjoying the food our host family served us, sitting in the park under the Palm Trees, successfully finishing our work in the forest, visiting the ocean and volcanos over the weekends and most importantly, getting to know and enjoy our host family.  We spent many evenings in the cool of their porch speaking about our days and our lives. And in the course of these conversations, learning and understanding Spanish and for our host family, English.

Thank you Tina and Nolan for having us, placing us with the Arguedas.Marin family and providing us with a truly wonderful experience.

Priscilla and Don Maddocks
Essex Junction, Vermont

My time in Costa Rica was a wonderful opportunity

I just got back to my home in Minnesota safe and sound. My overall experience in Costa Rica was wonderful! I truly loved being in Atenas. Learning to speak with the people of the town was great for me. I thought I'd be volunteering more than what I did, but in the end it was okay. At the volunteer site, I felt that help really wasn't needed. I tried asking for things to do, but then I felt like a burden. The women there were great sports though, and always helpful. My time in Costa Rica was a wonderful opportunity!

Caitlin Joyce

My Time in Costa Rica

I think that IFRE gives people a great opportunity to learn about the communities in Costa Rica and have a great vacation. Su Espacio is an ideal location for people who want to learn more and indulge themselves into the rich culture of Costa Rica .

One of the greatest things about Costa Rica isn't the mountains, or the volcanoes, or the forest, and not even the beaches. But, it's the wonderful people that you will meet when you stay in this beautiful country. The citizens will take you in with a warm smile and treat you as if you are one of their own, and if what interests you is learning more about the country, then Atenas , Costa Rica is the place to do it.

Dominique Sloan

My trip to Costa Rica

My trip to Costa Rica has been even better than I had hoped. From my smooth arrival at the airport, to my spanish classes and volunteer program, everything has been very well planned, and organized. During the week I am able to take advantage of the wonderful, peaceful
town of Atenas, and on weekends I have the freedom to travel around this beautiful country to get a full perspective of the culture.

The children, and workers at the orphanage are very greatful, and I felt welcomed there from the first day. I also feel like I am making a true contribution and that I have been able to really help out down here.