Back to the Bridge!

It's been a long time coming... a year, actually. But we are gearing up to reopen Casa Bridge at the end of June 2021. The pandemic has certainly created an obstacle that has tested our patience and our ability to walk the talk of navigating whatever life throws our way. That said, we are grateful to be announcing that the Bridge house will be opening in a few short weeks. 

What will change? What will stay the same? 

We've been meeting with our team for weeks to determine just how much we can immerse ourselves in this pandemic world. Certainly being vaccinated helps, but Costa Rica is slower than most at accomplishing these world-wide goals of vaccination and immunity. We feel good about the options we have to offer, especially for those young men who need to complete a couple of high school credits (and can do so at NSA) and want to experience a gap semester or year abroad to get themselves ready for college or the work world. 

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS: If you are a senior or just need a few credits to graduate high school, you could finish up your diploma at New Summit Academy in the mornings while participating in Spanish immersion, internships, &/or college classes at Universidad Veritas in the afternoons. 

COLLEGE CLASSES: Although enrolling in college classes takes a couple to a few weeks to facilitate, it's definitely an option for our Bridge young adults.

• Universidad Veritasstudyabroad.veritas.cr/ is the most flexible option with a plethora of unique class options as well as 4 to 8 week Spanish intensive options.
• Texas Tech has a campus that can offer semester options once a high school diploma is completed. 
• Arizona State University offers dual enrollment and college options as well from their partnership with U Latina in Costa Rica. 

INTERNSHIPS: If participants are vaccinated, then the world opens up to them. There are a variety of internships that are open and welcoming vaccinated students as long as they follow protocols for hygiene and mask-wearing with clients. So if working at a vet clinic, wildlife refuge, woodworking shop, coffee farm, automechanics shop, physical therapy office, or IT / computer shop sounds interesting, then you may be in business! Other options like teaching English at an elementary school, working at a hotel, etc. will be opening up shortly. 

BRIDGE LIVING: The daily life of a Bridge participant hasn't changed much.

• There are still full days of activities, group planning and budgeting of weekend recreation, cultural immersion and Aventuras, opportunities for service, group meal planning, grocery shopping, and individual guidance in coaching sessions as well as planning a healthy lifestyle (including fitness, socializing, productive "work" time, and group support).
  
• The Bridge house is as awesome as it's ever been with plenty of space, the recreational area for pool and ping pong, and outdoor gardens, meeting deck and gorgeous views. 
• Our staff mentors are here and waiting for your arrival to build strong mentoring relationships and friendship. 
• Participants are still able to bring a phone and a laptop to support their learning, organization, and communication. 

So what are you waiting for? If this sounds like an opportunity to you, we're here. Email us today.