The School of the World was founded in 1997. Our goal was to take a creative approach to learning by combining aspects of a language school, surf school, photography workshop and adventure travel, to create an unforgettable travel experience. To date we have hosted students from all across the United States, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, England, Holland, Iceland, Finland, French West Indies, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Sweden, Scotland, Denmark, Tunisia, Austria, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Bahamas, Russia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Argentina and Australia. The school's innovative programs have been featured in guidebooks, magazines, and newspapers from the U.S.A. to Hong Kong.
"Traveling is one of the best learning experiences a person can have, and it is more enjoyable when you have someone that can answer your questions and show you things that you would have otherwise missed. I have had some of the most incredible times of my life here in Costa Rica…from swimming with a whale shark to watching a simultaneous moonset and sunrise from the top of Mt. Chirripo. We (the staff) love teaching students about Costa Rica and one of the best parts of the job is watching students make their own life-long memories."
-Zach McDuffie Co-founder of the School of the World
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Zach McDuffie
Owner, Designer, Artist
Zach first visited Costa Rica shortly after receiving his bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Georgia in 1996. He fell in love with the healthy lifestyle, endless summers, and consistent surf conditions he found and moved back to Costa Rica permanently in 1997.
Zach came up with the concept for the School of the World based on a traveler's desire to learn about the world around him. With just enough money to buy a laptop and pay the first month's rent on the cabinas (that would be the original location for the school) the school was born. The school grew rapidly in popularity, having created a new type of "learning vacation" option for travelers in Costa Rica.
In 2002 Zach began designing and building the new facility, a building that contributes to the great vibe of the school through unique artistic and architectural design. Zach has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. His interests include art, photography, design, surfing, sailing, fishing, diving, motorcycles, and guitar. |
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Brian Phelps
Director
Brian and Zach have been good friends since their days at the University of Georgia. He came to Costa Rica with Zach in 1996, but returned to UGA and continued on to earn a masters degree in forest management, before moving to Costa Rica permanently in 2001. He speaks English and Spanish and enjoys spending time with his son Ben, surfing, woodworking, and fishing. |
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Hannah Glenn
Program Coordinator
Hannah first joined the School of the World family as a student in February of 2005. Originally from Boston, Mass., she wanted a change of pace from the States and decided to move to Costa Rica in October 2005. She returned to the school to continue learning Spanish, which helped with the transition of living in Costa Rica. Hannah is now fluent in Spanish, and in her free time enjoys photography, art, surfing, and going to the beach. Hannah started working at the school in December '07. She and Ricardo (head surf instructor) brought a baby boy named Kalani into the family in July 2008.
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Laura Aguilar
Spanish Instructor
Laura is from Cartago, Costa Rica and has been teaching others new languages for the past twelve years. She studied both tourism and languages in college. She speaks English, French, Italian and of course Spanish. She enjoys the freedom of being outdoors and animals. She likes to cook, travel, meet new people, spend time with her family and friends, and read in her free time. She has been working at the school since January of 2008.
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Ana Maria Chavarria Aguilera
Spanish Instructor
Ana is from Cartago, Costa Rica. She studied languages at the University of McGill in Montreal, Canada. She enjoys going to church, the beach, cooking, running, yoga, music, reading, and traveling in her free time. She has been working at the school since November of 2008 and speaks English and Spanish fluently. |
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Ricardo Centeno
Head Surf Instructor
Ricardo is from Venezuela and has been working at the School since July 2005. He is an I.S.A. certified surf instructor and also certified in ocean safety and rescue, as well as CPR. He has surfed and taught surfing in Bali, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. Ricardo lives and breathes surf, and is a well informed and patient teacher. When he is not surfing (which seems to be most of the day!) he enjoys skateboarding, mountain biking, fishing, and graphic design.
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Carlos Sanchez
Photography and Surf Instructor
Carlos is an accomplished Costa Rican artist and surfer. He started working at the School of the World in January of 2006. He is certified in ocean safety and rescue, as well as CPR. He has exhibited his art in San Jose, Miami, and New York. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, skating, photography, painting, and fishing.
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Rodrigo
Surf Instructor
Rodrigo is from Buenos Aires, Argentina and has lived in Costa Rica since 2003. He is certified in ocean safety and rescue, as well as CPR. He started working at the school in November 2007. When he is not teaching people to surf he likes to ride his stylish moped, cook, and look for monster waves to surf.
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York
Surf Instructor
York is from San Jose, Costa Rica. He started working at the school in January 2008. He is certified in ocean safety and rescue, as well as CPR. He has surfed since he was fourteen and spends all his free time looking for places to surf and fishing.
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Geudy Quesada
Surf Instructor
Geudy has lived his entire life in Jaco, Costa Rica, and is the son of Maria, one of the school's housekeepers. Geudy started working at the School in January of 2009. Geudy likes to play soccer, work out at the gym, and surf in his free time.
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Osh Abitbul
Yoga Intructor
Osh has been practicing and teaching yoga for the last 15 years in Israel, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. She is certified in both Bikram yoga and Vinyasa flow, as well as Thai massage. She incorporates an awareness of anatomy, breathing, and yogic principles to help discover and connect one's body and soul. She places an emphasis on breathing "pranayama", postures, meditation and deep relaxation.
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Maria Quesada
Housekeeping
Maria is Costa Rican and has been with the School of the World since the beginning, back in 1997. Her daughter Josebeth has practically grown up with the School, and we proudly sponsor her to study in the local private school where she is an honor student. Maria has seen the business grow from humble beginnings and takes a lot of pride in her work environment.
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Victoria Garita
Housekeeping
Victoria is from Costa Rica and is a longtime friend of Maria's. Victoria likes to listen to music and spend time with her family. She is a part of the crew that keeps the school clean.
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Jose Lopez
Project Manager, Maintenance
Jose is from Nicaragua and was one of the original construction workers contracted to build the new facility back in 2004. It was his great attitude and contagious happy spirit that earned him a permanent place at the School of the World. He seems to work around the clock making sure everything is running smoothly around the hotel, and always with an ear to ear smile. Light bulb burnt out? Lost key? Look for this guy, and he'll be there to help you with a smile... but look out, he is a prankster and loves a good practical joke.
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Angel Lopez
Night watchman
Yes, the guard's real name is Angel! He and Jose are brothers, and this is the guy that watches over everything while everyone is sleeping. He has been working at the School since 2006.
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