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In preparation for the students' visit to Isla San Lucas, the island site of a former Costa Rican prison, Daisy and Vianney arranged for Don Jose to speak with our students.
One of the most famous writers in Costa Rica, Jose Leon Sanchez is the author of Isla de Los Hombres Solos, which tells the story of his wrongful imprisonment on the island for 20 years, until he was finally exonerated of his charges.
Meeting the author – a man who had lived through the struggles of the prison – allowed the students to view their visit through a personal lens.
One of the most famous writers in Costa Rica, Jose Leon Sanchez is the author of Isla de Los Hombres Solos, which tells the story of his wrongful imprisonment on the island for 20 years, until he was finally exonerated of his charges.
Meeting the author – a man who had lived through the struggles of the prison – allowed the students to view their visit through a personal lens.
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NSA is unique in its ability to combine Spanish language learning opportunities with an enriching and supportive Cultural Immersion program. Daisy and Vianney, our dedicated and passionate Spanish teachers and Cultural Immersion coordinators, have built a Spanish language program which meets grammatical learning objectives by preparing students with the vocabulary and background knowledge to participate in Immersion activities.
Our Experiential Education department mentors then engage our students in Immersion activities that serve both as a culmination of their weekly studies as well as one-of-a-kind cultural learning experiences.
Check out some of our recent Cultural Immersion activities!
Our Experiential Education department mentors then engage our students in Immersion activities that serve both as a culmination of their weekly studies as well as one-of-a-kind cultural learning experiences.
Check out some of our recent Cultural Immersion activities!
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Our Peru trip culminated in a journey to the sacred Incan site of Machu Picchu. Early in the morning, students boarded a train which snaked its way along the Urubamba River to the town of Aguascalientes, where we hopped on buses for the winding road to Machu Picchu. We spent the day learning about the history and architecture of this bucket-list wonder of the world and UNESCO heritage site, before returning to the Sacred Valley. On our final day, the owner of our guiding company, Piero, and his family welcomed us into their home for a celebratory barbeque!
Thanks to students, staff, families, and the wonderful guides at Terra Explorer for helping to make this year’s International Aventura to Peru such an amazing experience!
Thanks to students, staff, families, and the wonderful guides at Terra Explorer for helping to make this year’s International Aventura to Peru such an amazing experience!
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After our unforgettable experience with the Amaru community, students and staff geared up for a five-day hike among the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains.
With the towering Ausangate always visible, the students showed true grit and resilience as we challenged our minds and bodies in daily hikes over spectacular passes, at times reaching an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level.
The hike wasn’t all struggle, however, as our hosts and guides took amazing care of us, meeting us at each site with warm tents, warm smiles, and – most importantly – warm, delicious food!
With the towering Ausangate always visible, the students showed true grit and resilience as we challenged our minds and bodies in daily hikes over spectacular passes, at times reaching an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level.
The hike wasn’t all struggle, however, as our hosts and guides took amazing care of us, meeting us at each site with warm tents, warm smiles, and – most importantly – warm, delicious food!
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After three days of intensive workshops in preparation for Peru, our community braved a red-eye flight to arrive at over 11,000 feet in Cusco - the ancient capital of the Incan Empire - to get physically and mentally acclimatized for the adventures to come. Our first days included an historical tour of the city, a mountain-bike ride through the stunning landscape surrounding the Sacred Valley, and a day of community service with the Amaru people.
This indigenous village welcomed us into their homes with music and smiles, explained their way of life revolving around farming and weaving of textiles, and worked side-by-side with our students as we tilled the soil using traditional tools in preparation for planting potatoes. The Amaru then prepared a hearty lunch of quinoa, potatoes and guinea pig – a traditional delicacy in Peru.
This indigenous village welcomed us into their homes with music and smiles, explained their way of life revolving around farming and weaving of textiles, and worked side-by-side with our students as we tilled the soil using traditional tools in preparation for planting potatoes. The Amaru then prepared a hearty lunch of quinoa, potatoes and guinea pig – a traditional delicacy in Peru.
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In order to prepare students for their upcoming adventure to Peru, the teachers and academic staff facilitated three days of workshops so that this international experience is as rich as possible. When NSA journeys to a new destination, it is important that we do so as travelers, not tourists. These workshops were intentionally designed with that goal in mind.
Students have been working with our English teacher to learn the intricacies of travel writing, studying the history of Peru with our Social Studies teacher, learning travel etiquette and curiosity with our Coordinator of Student Success, and pondering how travel changes them and their destinations through daily reflective writing.
Keep an eye out for exciting photos and stories in our next issue from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Students have been working with our English teacher to learn the intricacies of travel writing, studying the history of Peru with our Social Studies teacher, learning travel etiquette and curiosity with our Coordinator of Student Success, and pondering how travel changes them and their destinations through daily reflective writing.
Keep an eye out for exciting photos and stories in our next issue from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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ew Summit Academy’s homestay experience – immersing students in the culture of Costa Rica through weekly stays with local families – is an integral part of our program. Our homestay families give of themselves with no expectation other than to interact with our students and share their day-to-day lives.
We usually take one day each quarter to thank these amazing members of our community with a homestay picnic. This quarter, our students felt that a dance would be a dynamic and fun thank-you. Daisy, our Cultural Coordinator, along with our Experiential Education team and the Student Council planned an event, made decorations, and ensured the best in music, food and entertainment. A wonderful time was had by all, with the best entertainment being the eclectic dance moves of our own students!
We usually take one day each quarter to thank these amazing members of our community with a homestay picnic. This quarter, our students felt that a dance would be a dynamic and fun thank-you. Daisy, our Cultural Coordinator, along with our Experiential Education team and the Student Council planned an event, made decorations, and ensured the best in music, food and entertainment. A wonderful time was had by all, with the best entertainment being the eclectic dance moves of our own students!
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Students and staff rose with the sun on a recent Sunday, donned boots and gloves, and got to work. Their goal was to be a part of community efforts to help improve access to water in our hometown of Atenas.
While the drinking water in Costa Rica is clean and pure, issues with infrastructure mean that some communities or individuals may have limited access. Costa Rican water laws stipulate that wells must be planted with native tree species to help with water retention, which is where our students came in, participating in a tree-planting drive.
By the end of a day of hard work, students and staff had planted over 3,000 native trees -- a huge contribution to the water access efforts!
While the drinking water in Costa Rica is clean and pure, issues with infrastructure mean that some communities or individuals may have limited access. Costa Rican water laws stipulate that wells must be planted with native tree species to help with water retention, which is where our students came in, participating in a tree-planting drive.
By the end of a day of hard work, students and staff had planted over 3,000 native trees -- a huge contribution to the water access efforts!
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Our neighbors, the amazing children and staff at Hogar de Vida, continue to enrich our students’ lives and experiences by opening their doors and their arms. Each week, our dedicated Cultural Coordinator Daisy leads a team of student volunteers who visit the children’s home to spend time with the little ones playing, helping with dinner, and running around like kids themselves!
Daisy also organizes weekend activities, picnics and parties, sharing our students’ culture with the children, and providing small --but needed-- breaks for the tias (aunties) who give so much of their time and love.
In the coming weeks, Daisy and the NSA community will be spearheading a fundraiser for our wonderful neighbors who give so much. Keep an eye out for information in our next newsletter about how you can help!
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Students arriving at NSA for the first time have a great deal to process: new peers, new teachers, new rules and expectations – even a new country. In order to provide the most support possible during transition into the New Summit Academy community, our Orientation program guides each student as he immerses into a new, exciting experience.
Orientation begins with meeting a mentor: a senior student who serves as a “go-to” person for any questions or needs. That mentor accompanies his mentee on a weekend-long Orientation Aventura, where peers and staff introduce new students to the NSA handbook, explain how the program functions, and answer any questions that arrive. Upon returning to campus, new students complete a series of meetings, steps, readings and more in order to quickly and comfortably become part of our community -- ready to set goals to continue on the path to success.
Orientation begins with meeting a mentor: a senior student who serves as a “go-to” person for any questions or needs. That mentor accompanies his mentee on a weekend-long Orientation Aventura, where peers and staff introduce new students to the NSA handbook, explain how the program functions, and answer any questions that arrive. Upon returning to campus, new students complete a series of meetings, steps, readings and more in order to quickly and comfortably become part of our community -- ready to set goals to continue on the path to success.
