Costa Rica - Roaming and Learning!

In the summer of 2014, I spent 5 weeks living in San Jose, Costa Rica to complete a TESOL training course. TESOL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language, and it was the certification I needed to be able to be an elementary school English teacher in South Korea. I found the program through an organization called Greenheart Travel. The offer 3 different TESOL training courses: one only online, one in Chicago, and one in Costa Rica! The course in Costa Rica offered the most hands on training and hours, plus it was in another country! So that was my obvious choice, and off I went!


Although Greenheart travel connected me to signing up for the course, the class itself is through INTESOL and was hosted at the Idiomas Mundiales English School.


There was a lot to learn in just 4 weeks of class, so our week days were long and full of work to do. In addition to taking classes about teaching, we also had to sit in and observe many lessons. In the final 2 weeks, we also had to teach several classes of our own. Despite all the homework, reading, and lesson planning that was required outside of our daily class, I was able to make lots of time to travel on my weekends around Costa Rica!


San Jose is a very different place compared to the many scenic spots around the beautiful country and I took every chance I had to go see them.


After the class was completed, my mom came to visit me for my last week there and we took a short backpacking trip around the country! I took her to a couple of the favorite places I had already been and then we explored some new locations as well!


 I had an amazing experience in my short time in Costa Rica. It's a truely gorgeous and culture-rich country. I recommend a visit to anyone that enjoys warm weather, sunshine, great food and adventure!

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