One of the simplest ways to both help yourself and others is by volunteering your time and energy to a worthwhile cause that interests you. If you love to travel, or just want to experience something new, a Gap Year volunteering abroad program could be the perfect way for you to get involved and broaden your horizons. Our Gap Year abroad programs allow people of all ages the opportunity to travel abroad for a year, serve in local communities, and immerse themselves in local culture. You will no doubt see many benefits from a gap year abroad experience-from your personal to your professional endeavors.
Why Costa Rica, you ask? The people of Costa Rica live by the mantra “Pura Vida,” which translates to pure life. You will meet some of the friendliest, warmest people of your life in Costa Rica because they truly live this ideal of having a pure and simple life, and always being grateful for what you have. After being immersed in this culture, you will find yourself enjoying life, experiencing natural beauty, and helping others out of the generosity of your heart.
So, here are the five reasons you should do a Gap Year abroad in Costa Rica:
1
You can volunteer in several meaningful projects which span social intervention, community development, and environmental conservation.
“Working with sea turtles on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica was incredible. The work felt so meaningful and important” – Emma F., United Planet Volunteer
2
You will be welcomed into people’s lives with open arms, which will both enable you to have a deeper impact on your new community and allow you to feel immediately at home in this new country.
“Costa Rica is truly Pura Vida and the people are the most amazing and loving human beings that you will encounter…For this quest you definitely need to be open minded and leave your ‘own little bubble’ back home. You will be surprised by how many things you will learn” – Laura M., United Planet Volunteer
3
You will see new beauty surrounding you-in both the natural environment and the people-which will give you a greater appreciation for the world.
“[My experience in Costa Rica] really gives me the desire to do some more volunteering abroad and to give my help where I can” – Laurent H., United Planet Volunteer
4
By being fully immersed in and embraced by a community, you will feel both your perspective of the world and your comfort zone growing.
“It gave me a different ‘reality’ to live in, other than the one that I was accustomed to prior to traveling. Not only that, but this experience made me realize something about myself in the process; that I love to learn. It reinforced my belief in traveling, and gave me the strength and confidence that I will need to continue on to my future travels” – Raziah A., United Planet Volunteer
5
You will form lifelong 
relationships with new friends and family, which will translate to creating a more united planet for you personally, and for the world as a whole one relationship at a time.
“My host family made me [a part of their] family and that has not ended since I’ve come home. They will be family forever” – Brett C., United Planet Volunteer
Costa Rica is a great country to discover and develop new passions. It is a country known for its relaxed culture and friendly people. If you embrace the people and culture of Costa Rica, you’ll no doubt find a new appreciation for life.
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
