Blog Archives - New Summit Academy Costa Rica

NSA College Applications Underway

8/30/2017

As fall approaches, so does the busy season for college applications for our seniors. In the past months, students have worked with our college guidance coordinator and their families in identifying characteristics that will lead to continued success in college, ranging from location and size of schools to areas of study, cost, student support, and even available clubs and social activities.

Using these characteristics, students have been guided in generating lists of schools, and are working to narrow these lists down into final choices. At the same time, our seniors have been hard at work completing applications, writing essays, and requesting letters of recommendation. Though busy, this is always an exciting season for students and their families, as they begin to see student success pay off with open doors for their futures. Good luck, seniors!

Mother’s Day Celebration Dinner

8/17/2017

Mother’s Day – and moms – are taken seriously in Costa Rica. Every August 15th is a national holiday, when families take time off from school and work to honor the mothers in their lives. With the help of Daisy, our Cultural Immersion Coordinator, our students and staff were able to thank our special community of moms, both those who work with our students every day as well as our wonderful homestay mothers.

Daisy and her team organized a special Mother’s Day dinner, where students not only sat with and entertained their NSA moms, but were in charge of serving fresh fish with shrimp, cleaning up, and even washing the dishes so that these mothers didn’t have to lift a finger. The evening culminated with students and all of our moms dancing into the night. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our moms!

Corcovado Aventura – Strange Wildlife Abounds

8/15/2017

- Students spotted a female Puma resting on the base of a tree, and have photos to prove it!

- Our guide alerted us to a shark in the water, which emerged and began walking toward the group. The “deer shark” has now entered into Aventura legend.

- Students learned about biological relationships and forest succession deep in the Costa Rican rainforest.

Cloud Forest Aventura – Hands-On Learning

8/14/2017

- Students and staff tested the limits of their physical abilities, which served as a reminder of strengths and capabilities even in the most challenging situations

- An incredible experiential learning experience! Students gained first-hand knowledge about cloud forest ecosystems by being IN a cloud forest, and about water currents by swimming through them.

Kayak Aventura – Circumnavigating the Golfo Dulce

8/13/2017

- Kayak students experienced true integration as one of our amazing Case Managers and resident sage, Marcel, taught about mangrove ecosystems, watersheds, and the tides on pristine beaches

- Students built important peer connections by vying for prizes in the Tent Partner Olympics

- A full moon, spectacular sunsets, and impressive rains punctuated this once-in-a-lifetime journey

Community Service – Turtle Conservation on the Osa Peninsula

8/12/2017

- Our newest students and staff engaged in the busiest round of turtle egg relocation in recent memory, according to the Turtle Conservation Director, Manuel. Seven nests were located, with over 700 turtle eggs placed in the hatchery.

- Students who exceeded Aventura expectations earned the opportunity of a night patrol, and were rewarded with finding a giant turtle nesting on the beach!

- In an amazing cultural-immersion experience, NSA students and staff put forth a valiant effort but ultimately were defeated 3 to 0 by the rubber boot-wearing team from our community service partners at Finca Osa Verde and Osa Conservation.

Integrated Aventuras – Experiential Education at Its Best!

8/10/2017

Each quarter, students embark on one of four Aventuras with therapists, Experiential Education mentors, and teachers joining them to make each experience truly integrated. Aventuras are some of the most effective components of the New Summit Academy program for encouraging student growth, community building, and for creating unforgettable memories. This round of Aventuras was a success in all areas. Here are some highlights as recounted by students and staff!

Romeria – a Walk to Cartago

8/1/2017

Each year, nearly two million Costa Ricans express their faith and the importance of family in a pilgrimage to the Cathedral in Cartago (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles), with some people walking hundreds of miles in the days approaching the holiday. As part of our Cultural Immersion program, our students and staff have participated every year for over a decade in the pilgrimage, though we don’t walk quite that far! Daisy works tirelessly to ensure that our students are prepared for and enjoy the experience, which is always a success!