Why be in Costa Rica is we cannot enjoy and learn from the local Tico culture?
Cultural immersion is a very powerful experiential way to learn and grow. Faced with differences in values, customs, and beliefs, NSA students naturally reflect on their own families, home communities, and national cultural norms to compare and contrast. Even more importantly, students begin to sort out their own beliefs, values, and customs to clarify their own identities, who they want to be, and what they can take from their experiences into their futures.
In addition, attempting to learn a different language not only builds marketable skills, but it also challenges each one of us to take healthy risks to communicate and connect in meaningful ways.