Costa Rica - Jaco Beach
Playa Jaco is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica. It's proximity to the capital and international airport, San Jose, great night life, surfing, unique shops and galleries make Jaco a must visit!  Cultural Embrace works with the best local suppliers, to combine aspects of the Spanish language, surf lesson, art and digital photography workshops and adventure travel, to create an unforgettable travel experience. 

Program Includes:
• 9 instructional hours of your choice of the following activity: Spanish language, art, or digital photography
• Daily surfing with lessons and boards*
• 7 nights private accommodations with carefully screened host family**
• Breakfasts and dinners each day with your host family (host family meals not available on  Sundays)***
• Excursions (kayak/snorkel trip, nature hikes, etc)
• Airport Pick-Up & Transfer
• Traveler’s Health Insurance
• 24/7 Bi-lingual English/Spanish in-country Cultural Embrace representative
*Students not interested in surf lessons can opt for different activity option
**Student housing, hostels and hotels available for additional fees and no meals
***Special meals available upon request


Activity & Workshop Options:

Spanish Language
Travel to Costa Rica and be proficient and comfortable communicating in Spanish with our intensive Spanish language program. Students attend language classes with native Spanish speaking instructors and class sizes are small to assure each student receives personal attention. Beginner, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, and Advanced class levels are available.

The Spanish lessons cover new material for approximately two hours per day in class and then students meet again with an instructor for another one to two hours per day for labs. Labs are optional and are designed to reinforce the lessons covered in class through homework assistance, games, readings, conversational practice, study aids, and lessons about Costa Rican history, culture, and foods.

Surfing
Costa Rica is home to some of the best surf in the world. The Playa Jacó / Hermosa area is widely regarded as the most consistent surf in the country. There are a wide variety of breaks nearby and plenty of un-crowded waves for everyone. Cultural Embrace’s local partners have designed a special surf program that includes guided surf trips to local spots as well as other field trips and activities. Lessons are available for all types of surfers.

Beginners:
Learn to surf in the warm tropical waters of Costa Rica with the help of our friendly and experienced staff. You will learn the basics of paddling, standing, and turning, as well as wave selection and other fundamental skills. We have to warn you though: Surfing is addictive!

Intermediate/Advanced Surfers:
Surf students with previous surfing experience are taken on guided surf sessions in the Playa Jacó / Hermosa area. Let our local guides show you where the best breaks are so you can make the most of your surf vacation.

Art
Learn a variety of techniques for capturing your Costa Rica experience on canvas. Field trips are taken several times a week to new locations for on-site instruction. Art sessions are open to all ages and skill levels. Classes for beginners (or more experienced artists wanting to brush up on their skills) focus on basic drawing skills such as contour, shape, value, perspective, depth, and texture. The goal of the program is to help students use the language of drawing to describe the world around them. Intermediate and advanced students can focus on other areas such as landscapes, portraits, abstraction or another area of personal interest after a quick refresher of the basic techniques.

Art Supplies:  Students are responsible for bringing all supplies with them.
Pencils (at least one of each) 4B, 2B, HB, 2H, 4H
Pencil sharpener
Art Gum eraser
Vine charcoal
Sketch Pad with textured paper (as large as you feel comfortable carrying on the plane, but the bigger the better)
Clips (2, for clipping paper to a drawing board)
Optional: oil pastels, colored pencils, colored paper, and any other mediums of choice.

Digital Photography
The rich colors and beauty of Costa Rica make a perfect setting for a photography. Digital cameras have revolutionized photography, allowing for artistic experimentation without the hassles of a chemical darkroom or the wait and expense of film processing. This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of the elements of photography including lighting, composition, apertures, shutter speeds, and much more. This program also provides an explanation of how digital cameras work and how to improve your shots. In addition, students who bring their own laptop computers are tutored in basic digital photo editing using programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Students go on excursions in search of great photo locations, so whether you are a beginner with a basic digital camera or an experienced photographer with professional equipment you will love these amazing photo opps. 

Photography Supplies:
Students are responsible for bringing their supplies with them.
Students should bring:
• Personal digital camera (It is a good idea to bring the manual along as well)
• Personal laptop computer  (Only required if you wish to participate in the editing portion of the program)
• Optional: An extra memory card and back-up battery for your camera

Note: There are two professional photographers on staff at the school with professional printing, matting, and framing equipment. Supplies for printing and matting are hard to get in Costa Rica, so if you are interested in bringing some supplies in exchange for help printing and matting some of your favorite photos let us know.

2009 Program Dates:
January 4-10, January 11-17
March 8-14; March 15-21
April 5-11; April 12-18
*Limited service projects during Easter week in many Latin American destinations
***Extensions available before & after start dates with service charge

2009 Program Fees:
From US$990

Guatemala - Antigua
Antigua is among the world's best conserved colonial cities, it is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel as though time might have stopped some 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times!

Program Includes:
• 7 nights private accommodations with carefully screened host family*
• 3 meals per day with host family (host family meals not available on Sundays)**
• Social Service Project (options to work with at-need day care center, hospital/medical center, teach/tutor at public schools, maintenance at community centers)
• Cultural Activities (ie: salsa & meringue lessons, cooking class, Guatemalan weaving demonstrations, soccer/football games)
• Excursions (bike tour to coffee & macadamia nut plantation, Volcano Pacaya trek)
• Airport Pick-Up & Transfer
• Traveler’s Health Insurance
• Optional 20 hours Spanish with private tutor (extra $125)
• 24/7 Bi-lingual English/Spanish in-country Cultural Embrace representative
*Student housing, hostels and hotels available for additional fees and no meals
**Special meals available upon request

2009 Program Dates:
January 4-10, January 11-17
March 8-14; March 15-21
April 5-11; April 12-18
*Limited service projects during Easter week in many Latin American destinations
***Extensions available before & after start dates with service charge

2009 Program Fees:
US$675

Mexico - Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is the fifth-largest state in Mexico. The state reflects the whole of Mexico with a diverse landscape that extends from the mountains to the coast. Oaxaca, the State Capital, declared Humanity’s Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO, owes its fame to the beauty and harmony of its architecture, the richness of its cultural traditions, the wide variety of its typical foods, and its soft temperate climate, spring-like throughout the year.

Program Includes:
• 7 nights private accommodations with carefully screened host family*
• 3 meals per day with host family (host family meals not available on Sundays)**
• Social Service Project (options to work with at-need day care center, hospital/medical center, teach/tutor at public schools, maintenance at community centers)
• Cultural Activities (ie: salsa & meringue lessons, cooking class, art classes, sports, games, etc)
• Excursions (visit local villages renown for their arts and handicrafts, or visit the ancient ruins, Mitla or Zapotec, or Francisco Toledo’s Cultural Center, and more)
• Airport Pick-Up & Transfer
• Traveler’s Health Insurance
• Optional 15 hours one-on-one Spanish lessons with certified local Spanish teachers (extra $200)
• 24/7 Bi-lingual English/Spanish in-country Cultural Embrace representative
*Student housing, hostels and hotels available for additional fees and no meals
**Special meals available upon request

2009 Program Dates:
January 4-10, January 11-17
March 8-14; March 15-21
April 5-11; April 12-18
*Limited service projects during Easter week in many Latin American destinations
***Extensions available before & after start dates with service charge

2009 Program Fees:
US$775

Honduras – La Ceiba
La Ceiba is well known as the gateway of Honduras. There is no discrimination and the people are generous and easy going. The region is mountainous and surrounded by tropical jungles. The beaches in Honduras rank among the best in the Caribbean Sea.

Program Includes:
• 7 nights private accommodations with carefully screened host family*
• 3 meals per day with host family (host family meals not available on Sundays)**
• Social Service Project (options to work at orphanages, hospital/medical center, HIV/AIDS hospice, disabled, teach/tutor)
• Cultural Activities (ie: salsa & meringue lessons, cooking class, )
• Excursions (half day hike to Rio Maria, full day excursion to Garifuna Village & beach resort)
• Airport Pick-Up & Transfer
• Traveler’s Health Insurance
• Optional 20 hours one-on-one Spanish lessons with certified local Spanish teachers (extra $150)
• 24/7 Bi-lingual English/Spanish in-country Cultural Embrace representative
*Student housing, hostels and hotels available for additional fees and no meals
**Special meals available upon request

2009 Program Dates:
January 4-10, January 11-17
March 8-14; March 15-21
April 5-11; April 12-18
*Limited service projects during Easter week in many Latin American destinations
***Extensions available before & after start dates with service charge

Program Fees:
US$785
 

• You must be at least 18 years of age.  Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent  
• Enjoy providing a service and working with others in a challenging environment
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High level of responsibility
• Dedication to the full term of commitment 
• Spanish not required but helpful
  

1. Obtain the Volunteer Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Volunteer Form (PDF).   Short Term Service and Culture in Latin America Program Details (pdf). 

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or (US/Canada toll-free) 1-888-214-8570)  to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Rd.
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

• Volunteer Program Application
• Signed Volunteer Agreement
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• Copies of transcripts, diplomas, or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter explaining what you want to do and why you want to provide a service in Latin America 
• Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
• Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
• Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
• Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
• One smiling full-length photo of yourself
• US$200 non-refundable application fee

Apply now--limited space per project!  First-come, first-served!  

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your volunteer placement.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll free).