- Published on
Cultural immersion Spanish class is offered to students who have advanced language skills. These students are researching topics of interest based on diversity and heterogeneity. One student chose Costa Rican food, another student chose solid waste management and burning as a way of disposal of household trash in the Atenas canton.
After having done online research, they will now be collecting field information through interviews. In the case of Costa Rican food, the student is interviewing NSA staff from Costa Rica, young people, and adults in Atenas who are recognized for their experience in culinary arts. The interviews on solid waste management will include the environmental agent from the municipality, a representative of the local firefighter station, and people from Atenas and NSA. The final product will be a written text and an exhibition presented to NSA students and staff.
After having done online research, they will now be collecting field information through interviews. In the case of Costa Rican food, the student is interviewing NSA staff from Costa Rica, young people, and adults in Atenas who are recognized for their experience in culinary arts. The interviews on solid waste management will include the environmental agent from the municipality, a representative of the local firefighter station, and people from Atenas and NSA. The final product will be a written text and an exhibition presented to NSA students and staff.
- Published on
This month, students and staff traveled to Costa Rica's northern zone to explore Arenal – a once highly active volcano that periodically rumbles to life – and the surrounding area, famous for its beauty and adventure opportunities. When students were asked about their favorite part, each answered differently, with highlight quotes including:
“We swam in the crater of an extinct volcano. [Volcan Chato] Who gets to do that?”
“The best part was hanging out with Tom.”
“The whitewater rafting was amazing, even though it is the dry season.”
Besides navigating mighty rapids and crater-lake swimming, students hiked to and swam in the 200-foot La Fortuna waterfall, handled snakes at a serpentarium, and enjoyed quality time with Tom! The students all returned positive and energized for the upcoming quarter.
- Published on
New Summit Academy is privileged to have the community at Hogar de Vida as our neighbors. The amazing children who are cared for by a dedicated staff of tias, or aunts, welcome our students into their home weekly with hugs, shouts of joy, and energy which wears out even our guys!
New students visiting the children’s home for the first time may be shy to begin with, or afraid to hold an infant or feed a toddler, but surrounded by the spirit of these children, each student eventually bonds with his “favorites” through play, arts & crafts and fun outdoor activities.
Many thanks to Daisy, our Cultural Coordinator, for working to develop this relationship with Hogar de Vida, and for introducing such an enriching experience to our students.
New students visiting the children’s home for the first time may be shy to begin with, or afraid to hold an infant or feed a toddler, but surrounded by the spirit of these children, each student eventually bonds with his “favorites” through play, arts & crafts and fun outdoor activities.
Many thanks to Daisy, our Cultural Coordinator, for working to develop this relationship with Hogar de Vida, and for introducing such an enriching experience to our students.
- Published on
Each graduation, students stand at the podium and thank their friends, parents, faculty and staff. They then turn to look into the eager eyes of their Homestay Families and thank them in Spanish. These members of the NSA community welcome – out of the goodness of their hearts – our students into their homes each Sunday. Students learn Costa Rican culture and customs by attending soccer matches and birthday parties with their families. Their Spanish rapidly improves as they work to communicate with homestay mothers, brothers, sisters and fathers. Students sit with families and share home-cooked meals (always mentioned in their graduation speeches.) In short, our Homestay Families provide our students with unique cultural immersion experiences and a family while away from home.
Each quarter, to thank these valuable community members, New Summit Academy hosts a Homestay Picnic. Daisy, our Cultural Coordinator, along with our Experiential Education staff, plan a day full of fun and activities. This quarter, students and families posed for portraits and competed in wheel barrow races. Our chefs prepared picnic food, and the community sat to share a meal and memories of the quarter. Our talented students gave back as well, entertaining families and peers with live music.
Thank you to our Costa Rican homestay families who do so much to enrich the experiences of the students at New Summit Academy!
Thank you to our Costa Rican homestay families who do so much to enrich the experiences of the students at New Summit Academy!