- Published on
The work of New Summit Academy and The Bridge Costa Rica was featured this week in the blog and newsletter of the International Therapist Directory, an online global listing of more than 450 therapists in at least 60 countries providing culturally sensitive treatment and care for internationally mobile families.
Have a look inside the guest blog post:
There can be no question that navigating adolescence and young adulthood today is a complex task. The lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, growing rates of anxiety and depression among youth, and the increasing awareness of risks associated with smartphone use creates a challenging social and emotional landscape for “The Anxious Generation.”
While children of internationally mobile families and Third Culture Kids possess distinct skills and strengths to aid them in their development – a global perspective, cognitive flexibility, a deeper awareness and appreciation for diversity, and a heightened sense of empathy, to name a few – they are certainly not immune to the complexities faced by this generation. If anything, the well-documented psychosocial and educational challenges TCKs experience – identity conflict, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation and disconnection – has been exacerbated in recent years.
When supportive schooling and counseling options are limited in a TCK’s country of residence, or when children of globally mobile families simply need an opportunity to reset and focus on building skills for mental fitness, two unique options exist in a country long associated with health and wellness: Costa Rica.
While children of internationally mobile families and Third Culture Kids possess distinct skills and strengths to aid them in their development – a global perspective, cognitive flexibility, a deeper awareness and appreciation for diversity, and a heightened sense of empathy, to name a few – they are certainly not immune to the complexities faced by this generation. If anything, the well-documented psychosocial and educational challenges TCKs experience – identity conflict, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation and disconnection – has been exacerbated in recent years.
When supportive schooling and counseling options are limited in a TCK’s country of residence, or when children of globally mobile families simply need an opportunity to reset and focus on building skills for mental fitness, two unique options exist in a country long associated with health and wellness: Costa Rica.
Read the full article here:
Five Reasons Why Costa Rica Works for TCKs of "The Anxious Generation."
- Published on
Students and parents often ask what a supportive boarding school or therapeutic program “looks like” for college admissions. The answer is that – if presented correctly – students’ experiences before and during their time at New Summit Academy or The Bridge Costa Rica can make applications stand out and show colleges that our students are more college-ready than many students who haven’t had their experiences.
New Summit Academy’s students work with our certified college counselor and our supportive teachers, mentors, and therapists to complete the “traditional” steps for the college application, including preparing for and taking standardized tests (along with applying for accommodations when eligible), identifying characteristics of colleges and universities and generating apply-to lists, writing and revising essays, and completing and submitting applications before their deadlines.
However, our students’ non-traditional opportunities, those that make them really stand out, are what make New Summit Academy and The Bridge one-of-a-kind, powerful facilitators of experiences that result in applications that are very attractive to the schools our students want to attend.
However, our students’ non-traditional opportunities, those that make them really stand out, are what make New Summit Academy and The Bridge one-of-a-kind, powerful facilitators of experiences that result in applications that are very attractive to the schools our students want to attend.
Think about it. New Summit Academy and The Bridge graduates have:
- Faced and overcome challenges
- Developed an understanding of their learning styles
- Learned to advocate for their needs
- Lived away from home in a dorm with peers
- Cultivated significant international experience and multicultural skills
- Developed a resume like no other that includes cultural immersion, volunteer work, leadership opportunities, international travel, internship opportunities, and professional-level certifications
If we use essays, resumes, activities, and letters of recommendation to highlight these facts, our students have a unique advantage when applying to college.
Need some proof? Here are a few statistics from last year’s college application season:
- Graduating Seniors Accepted to College: 100%
- Colleges Applied to Offering Admission: 69%
- Acceptances from "Colleges That Change Lives": Six
- Total Merit Scholarships Offered for Fall of 2024: $2,000,500
- Average Merit Award Offer: $75,000
Finally, here is the impressive list of schools – as unique and diverse as our students – where last year’s seniors enrolled:
The University of Miami, Curry College, Santa Clara University, The University of Southern California, Dickinson College, The University of Connecticut, St. Lawrence University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, The University of Arizona, and Montana State University
This year’s seniors are in the middle of their application process, so wish them luck!
Hi NSA staff, we just hugged Jack goodbye at college an hour ago and I just had to write a quick note of thanks to you who had such an important guiding influence in Jack's life. He is so much better prepared for life and college since he spent 15 months with you all. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to helping young men like Jack work through their issues and become better equipped to socialize with, and to take on, their world. Thanks for letting Jack into your heart for the short time he was with you. I will remain thankful for my entire life that he was helped at NSA.
- Published on
School Management Plus, a leading platform in the United Kingdom for commentary, news, and features about independent, international and UK state education, has published a profile on New Summit Academy Costa Rica this month in their Spotlight on a School feature!
Have a look inside the article:
At first glance, New Summit Academy Costa Rica is like any other international boarding school.
Students stroll across campus from the academic building after class and begin to occupy themselves with boarding life. A spontaneous basketball game takes shape on the outdoor court, a jam session kicks off in the music studio and a student council meets to discuss plans for a surf and scuba weekend. Elsewhere, members of the cooking club head into town to pick up ingredients for the evening snack.
But look a little closer and a different story emerges. Nearly 2.4 million international tourists flock to the small tropical country each year in search of wellness and a bit of adventure. In the same way, New Summit Academy harnesses the therapeutic qualities of Costa Rica to empower students to adopt healthier lifestyles and to stretch their minds through experiences that rekindle motivation in school and in life...
Students stroll across campus from the academic building after class and begin to occupy themselves with boarding life. A spontaneous basketball game takes shape on the outdoor court, a jam session kicks off in the music studio and a student council meets to discuss plans for a surf and scuba weekend. Elsewhere, members of the cooking club head into town to pick up ingredients for the evening snack.
But look a little closer and a different story emerges. Nearly 2.4 million international tourists flock to the small tropical country each year in search of wellness and a bit of adventure. In the same way, New Summit Academy harnesses the therapeutic qualities of Costa Rica to empower students to adopt healthier lifestyles and to stretch their minds through experiences that rekindle motivation in school and in life...
