Rewarding Student Travel

During a student travel trip in June 2010, I experienced one of those feelings of accomplishment, which help make a job seem worthwhile. Our company which is a small family run operation started a project in a rural village where we bring student groups to the village for two days. The village is called Sitio de Mata and is located in the Turrialba area next to the world famous Pacuare River. The village is made up of mostly single mother homes and very simple living conditions. Jobs for the women are scarce in this area. River rafting and seasonal agriculture work are the two main sources of income but the moms are limited in what they can do in these areas. To put it simply, the ladies and their families live on very low, tight budgets. We take our student groups to Sitio de Mata where they give us room and board. They also include local and cultural activities (the kids love the cooking and dance lessons) treating us with 5-star service but in a humble, warm environment. The views and scenery in the area are some of the best around and this experience can be apart of a family vacation to Costa Rica also.

The feeling I experienced happened when a student group was leaving for the airport on the last day. I always ask the students what their favorite part of the trip was. For many students it is ziplining, rafting, and even the homestays experience is the favorite among many. I have heard many students say that the homestays leave them with a good feeling inside. The answer I had not heard yet was from a father who said his favorite part of the trip was being able to watch his daughter see the families of the village live in such a simple way and yet be so happy. He said she was turning 16 and talking about which car she was going to get a week before and to visit this village and see some of the moms walk 2 km with a baby every morning really put things in perspective. He mentioned this was an experience that he would have never been able to show his daughter without taking her on a trip to Costa Rica with Costa Rican Resource.

If you are interested in making this two day village homestay part of your itinerary then just let us know and we will include it in your family vacation to Costa Rica.