Celebrating Independence, Celebrating Growth

At The Bridge, Costa Rica’s Independence Day comes alive as a chance to learn, connect, and grow. Last week, our young adults joined the nation in celebration.

Gathering at our new house for young women, our community organized a cafecito campesino filled with music, playful bombas, and colorful traditional dress.

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Why Cultural Immersion Matters

​These moments bring joy and connection - but they also offer much more.

​Cultural immersion is a catalyst for growth. Research shows that intercultural encounters challenge our mental frameworks (schemas), helping us develop new ways of thinking, relating, and problem-solving. At The Bridge, immersion isn’t an add-on; it’s integral to the academic and therapeutic journey.

Students who engage with Costa Rican traditions and community life gain:

• A clearer sense of self and future direction
• Confidence to navigate challenges outside their comfort zones
• Expanded perspective-taking and problem-solving skills
• Authentic self-confidence grounded in competence and connection

In short, immersion fosters the maturity, resilience, and identity development that our students - and their families - seek.

The Costa Rican Difference

Costa Rica itself is therapeutic. With its slower pace, emphasis on community, and deep integration with nature, students are invited to pause, connect, and reflect.

Named one of the world’s happiest and friendliest countries, Costa Rica embodies Pura Vida - a way of life that prioritizes thriving over merely surviving. For our students, immersion in this environment nurtures belonging, competence, and the confidence to envision a brighter future.

At The Bridge, we don’t just celebrate culture - we live it. And through that living, our students grow.