School of the World Year In Review | Surf, Yoga & Spanish Experiences
December 20, 2023
Another Year Filled with Travel, Adventure & Learning New Passions
We Can’t Wait to Share More Spanish, Surf, Yoga and Photography with You in 2024!
As 2023 comes to a close, we find ourselves feeling one way – grateful. We’ve been reflecting on all of the early morning surf outings, the zen yoga sessions, the family style dinners and all of the other wonderful moments we shared. While all of these things make School of the World what it is, it wouldn’t be possible without you – our students. Your presence, your sense of adventure, your willingness to go outside of your comfort zone and try something new, these are the reasons we continue to pour our hearts into making School of the World the best it can possibly be.
When we think of what 2024 might hold, we know one thing is for sure. Our students will continue to be the reason that we provide a space for life changing experiences.
If we had to showcase some of our favorite moments in a blog post (wink wink), here are a few of our favorite highlights.
Being Able to Comfortably Speak Spanish Never Felt So Good
Our unique Spanish learning program is one of the top booked programs at the school. Just as we did when we first opened, our Spanish program continues to focus on teaching our students conversational Spanish. While we do spend some time in our open air classrooms, we spend the majority of the day out in the community learning to comfortably speak Spanish with locals.
Here are a few things our students had to say about the Spanish program:
Fernanda did a great job of keeping our Spanish classes on track and encouraging us to learn to speak Spanish. Maria, Victoria and Pedro, the people that oversee the school during the day were fantastic too – so charming and they let me practice my Spanish as much as I wanted with them! – JodiDH503
I spent a week taking Spanish with my fantastic teacher Fernanda. She was friendly, kind, patient and fun. I learned a lot from not knowing any Spanish at all. I want to learn Spanish for both work and travel and this was the perfect relaxed and focused environment to do it. – B C
The SOTW is located in a gorgeous building filled with lovely people. Fernanda is a phenomenal Spanish teacher, especially for those of us just starting out, and you won’t find more devoted surf instructors than Carlos & his crew. Both of them have personalized their lessons for us each time we’ve attended. – Quinn
Never Skip a Surf Session - You Might Miss a Belly Flopping Manta Ray
Costa Rica is famous for a few things. Surfing is one of them! We love it when our students connect with not just the ocean, but also their instructors.
Check out what they had to say about their most epic surf moments:
This trip was about surfing. If you haven’t been to Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, the water was 82 degrees or warmer, the sunsets are spectacular, the waves are consistent with many left and right breaks, and decent sized. I saw probably ten (on different occasions) manta rays jumping out of the water, flapping their ‘wings’ and then belly flopping with a thud back into water. On my last sunset surf, one was having the time of its life belly flopping for 15 minutes about ten feet away from me! – Ryan P
The thing that stands out to me most about SOTW is that their surf instructors are actually qualified teachers, not just good surfers. Everyone, from the people who had never surfed before, to the folks who were looking for more consistent time in the water, to more advanced folks, improved their surfing! – LaleñaG
Yoga Classes that are Inclusive, Relaxing & Open to All Levels
One of the things that we love about our school is that we accept students at all skill levels. We’ve welcomed yogis with years of practice under their belts, while also connecting with students who have never stepped on a yoga mat before. Our goal is to make our yoga classes inclusive to all levels!
We love it when our students find a new passion while at the school. Read about their experience:
Catalina was totally amazing. I am not one of those “yoga girls,” and have, at best, done maybe 20 minutes of Apple TV+ yoga at home (alone). I was able to do the 1.5 hour session EVERY day and I loved it. The instructor is kind and patient, and I look forward to taking her class next year. – GradGirlAKJ
I had taken the double surf and yoga program at the school and was very excited with how my surfing improved and am now fully hooked on yoga and its benefits. I attribute my progress in surfing and yoga to the amazing instructors. – John
Our yoga instructor was very good! The yoga sessions after surf lessons were perfect to relax and stretch. The instructor knows how to adapt the lesson depending on how we feel/what we need. – Ophelie
Capturing Costa Rica Through Photography
The photography program at the school was designed to satisfy everyone from first-time photographers to professionals looking to learn new techniques. Not only do we teach the fundamentals around digital workflow and basic editing to beginners, but we also shoot in local and natural environments in and around Jacó.
Here’s why our students love our photography program:
My photography skills improved tenfold under Sergio’s mentorship – not only do I take better photos but now I know how to edit them to make them even better. I was thrilled to be able to do this with my iPhone as I tend to have that with me when I happen upon a great picture and now I can maximize that opportunity without carrying a big camera. We also visited so many great places around Jaco during photography classes, I got a great inside view of the area that I wouldn’t never have seen as a regular tourist. – JodiDH503
My instructor spent the first day teaching me the basics of photography and how to use a real camera. Then they spent the next four days taking me to unique places in Costa Rica to shoot pictures. They didn’t just drive me to these places, but they also gave me historical context and background about where we were visiting and how that sloth sits in the tree for a week without moving and how the Costa Rican economy evolved into what it is now and so much more…Besides getting off the beaten path and seeing non touristy places, it was just fun to learn about Costa Rica from a bi-lingual Costa Rican who is passionate and knowledgeable about their native country. – Shane
