1. Getting to Know Cartago, Costa Rica
W EBINARS
Wednesday, May 16th
4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
www.crossculturalsolutions.org

2. Introductions
Summer Wick
Program Advisor
Alumna of CCS Costa Rica, Ghana,
South Africa, and Thailand
Molly Hampton
Program Site Specialist for Cartago, Costa Rica
Alumna of CCS Costa Rica,
South Africa, and Tanzania
Amanda Rosen
Program Advisor
Alumna of CCS Thailand

3. Agenda
• Introductions
• Review of the Agenda
• About CCS
• About Costa Rica
• Fun Facts About Cartago
• Volunteer Work
• CCS Home-Base
• CCS Cartago Staff
• Cultural & Learning Activities
• Free Time
• Questions & Answers
• Next Steps

4. About CCS
Our Approach
Respecting Local Expertise in
Community Development
• Volunteer Placements
• Placement Process
• Partner Programs
• In-Country Staff
• Cultural Immersion
• Home-Base located in a residential
community
• Cultural & Learning Activities Our Mission is to operate volunteer
programs around the world in
• Fostering Relationships partnership with sustainable community
initiatives, bringing people together to
work side-by-side while sharing
• Flexibility perspectives and fostering cultural
• 4 Programs, 12 Countries, and Year- understanding. We are an international
not-for-profit organization with no
Round Start Dates political or religious affiliations.

5. About Costa Rica
CCS Costa Rica
Pura Vida
Our Two Costa Rica Program Sites:
• San Carlos
• Based in Ciudad Quesada
• Over 2,100 volunteers sent since 2002
• Cartago
• Historic Former Capital City of
Costa Rica
• Over 1,700 volunteers sent since 2004

6. Fun Facts
About Cartago
• In close proximity to San Jose
• Third largest city in Costa Rica
• Nearly 4,800 feet above sea level
• Home of the famous Basilica
• Sits at the base of Irazu Volcano
• Small but busy city

7. The CCS Experience

8. Volunteer Work
Volunteer Placements in Cartago
Ensuring our Volunteer's Impact on
the Community Remains Positive
• Caregiving
• Healthcare
• Teaching
• Community Development
• Insight Abroad program volunteer work

9. CCS Home-Base
Your Home Away From Home
Living arrangements, meals & more
• Lodging: Safe, cozy & colorful living
environment
• Location: Short walk from the city center
• Resource Center
• Meals: Three delicious authentic meals a
day by CCS staff cooks & safe drinking
water provided
• Transportation: Airport pick-up and
drop-off, and safe transportation to &
from volunteer placement
• Communication: Wi-fi & phone access

10. CCS Cartago Staff
In-Country Support
Providing Expert Support for our
Volunteers and Partners in the Community
• Year-round CCS Staff & members of the
local community
• Director & Program Managers
• Jose Hernandez, Country Director
• Cooks
• Housekeepers
• Licensed Drivers
• 24-hour Security

11. Cultural & Learning Activities
Cultural Immersion
Getting the Insider’s Perspective
• Spanish lessons
• Excursions to archeology sites & museums
• Dance lessons for all levels
• Cooking lessons
• Guest speakers

12. Free Time
Exploring Costa Rica
A Chance to Explore the Community On Your Own
• Irazu Volcano, National Park
• La Basilica de Cartago
• Hiking
• Horseback riding trails
• Botanical gardens

13. Enrollment & Pre-departure Support
Support From Start to Finish
• CCS HQ Staff were all volunteers before they were staff
• We work closely with local organizations to match
volunteer skills with the needs of the community
Program Advisors In-Country Support
Our Program Advisors are here All our in-country staff members are
to help decide which country, from the communities where we work,
date & duration is best for you. living and working there year-round.
Program Site Specialists Alumni Action Network
Program Site Specialists will prepare Become a life-long learner
you for your CCS experience & about international issues.
answer your questions along the way.

14. Questions?

15. w w w. c r o s s c u l t u r a l s o l u t i o n s . o r g
Determine where, when, & for how long you want
to volunteer:
Next www.crossculturalsolutions.org/enroll/enroll-checklist
Contact a Program Advisor
1-800-380-4777, Monday-Friday 9am-6pm EDT
Steps Summer: summer@crossculturalsolutions.org
Amanda: amanda@crossculturalsolutions.org
Next Webinar: “A Closer Look at Tanzania” (May 24th)
www.crossculturalsolutions.org/webinars
Stay In Touch Upcoming Info Sessions
facebook.com/crossculturalsolutions • Philadelphia, PA (May 30th)
• Houston, TX (May 31st)
twitter.com/volunteerabroad • Santa Fe, NM (June 2nd)
• Newtown, CT (June 26th)
youtube.com/ccsvolunteerabroad
• Charlottesville, VA (July 22nd)
ccscommunity.com
Find more events near you:
pinterest.com/volunteerabroad
www.crossculturalsolutions.org/events