The course description
a typical day on this gap project
Join Raleigh International on an exciting Expedition to Costa Rica - home to volcanoes, tropical rainforest, and some of the friendliest people on earth.
A 5, 7 or 10-week Expedition in Costa Rica provides exposure to different people, new cultures, situations, and environments. You'll get the chance to take part in up to three projects, dependent on the length of your Expedition: Community, Environmental and Adventure Challenge.
A Raleigh Expedition in Costa Rica is a unique opportunity to help raise environmental awareness and tackle poverty, whilst living in some of the most beautiful places. Your days will be spent working on a community-led project, contributing to some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You and your team will be helping construct additional school buildings and on raising awareness activities with the community on topics like waste management and climate action. You will be working with our local partners and the community themselves to create lasting change together. It will be both challenging and extremely rewarding.
Our environmental work is focused on protecting biologically vulnerable areas. You'll learn to understand the importance of preserving these natural resources and implement eco-friendly practices to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. Alongside the work you're doing you'll engage with the community to learn and exchange traditions and sustainable practices, enriching the understanding of their relationship with nature. You'll also learn some essential survival skills such as shelter-building, creating a camp kitchen and locating water sources.
On the adventure challenge phase you and your team will navigate the trek with the support of our Venturer Managers. Terrain will be varied, you could be in the rainforest one day and passing through rural villages the next. Each night you and your team will set up camp and take turns to cook for one another. You might stay in a local community or wild camp.
All our projects are driven by the needs of the communities we work in, so you can be sure that you're having a lasting, positive impact.
Programme Highlights:
- Immerse yourself in a rural Costa Rican community – learn about local life and customs.
- Work on meaningful community led projects, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Challenge yourself on the adventure trek.
- Make your CV stand out - develop key skills that will set you up for the future.
- Make genuine, lasting friendships and grow a network which covers the globe.
Who are we looking for?
the requirements for this course
We need Venturers aged 17-24 to help deliver our sustainable development programmes. We also have Venturer Manager positions available for those aged 25 and over.
Raleigh’s Venturers come from all over the world and we welcome individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life stages. All you need is an open mind, commitment, and a desire to change your world for the better.
As a Venturer with us, you could join an Expedition in Costa Rica, Borneo, or Kenya. A Raleigh Expedition is a once in a lifetime experience. You’ll meet and collaborate with people from all over the world including local volunteers from the country you are in. You will also immerse yourself in another culture and develop new skills, whilst using your passion and positivity to drive sustainable change where it is really needed.
It won’t be easy. Our Expeditions are tough! You will be challenged but we are here to support you from now until you complete your Raleigh programme and beyond.
What can we offer you?
why choose us for your gap year
Volunteering on a Raleigh Expedition gives you the chance to get involved with a variety of projects. Bring your determination to a community development project, learn about protecting vulnerable environments on an environmental conservation project, and challenge yourself on our tough adventure phase.
You can join an Expedition for 5, 7 or 10 weeks. Our Expeditions in Borneo take place twice a year starting in February - April and October to December.
If you volunteer on a 10-week programme, you will take part in all three phases of the programme: community, environment, and adventure.
Volunteers on a 7-week Expedition will complete two of the three phases.
Those on a 5-week Expedition will either do a community or environmental project and a shorter adventure challenge.
All our accommodation, meals, equipment for projects, and transfers are included. Your flights, kit, visas, and vaccinations aren’t included.
Highlights
Details & Apply..
