At New Summit Academy, cultural immersion is at the heart of our supportive boarding school and study abroad experience in Costa Rica. This month, our Cultural Immersion class had the privilege of welcoming artists from Los Borucas, an indigenous community renowned for their vibrant mascaradas: hand-carved wooden masks representing animals, ancestral spirits, and powerful cultural symbols.

Students learned each step of the traditional process, from sketching and carving to painting and finishing. Guided by Boruca artisans, they even created their own miniature masks, discovering firsthand how patience, creativity, and cultural heritage come together through art.

Cultural immersion is one of the most meaningful elements of a high school abroad program. At New Summit Academy, students regularly engage with the local community, whether through service projects, homestay Sundays, shared meals, or campus celebrations like Día de las Culturas and Día Nacional de las Mascaradas. Within our multicultural faculty and student body, they practice Spanish, build cross-cultural communication skills, and learn how to navigate differences with empathy and curiosity.

By learning from others, New Summit Academy students ultimately learn more about themselves, and carry those insights into their futures.