from 1,251€

Fantastic 4.5rating (97)

Music Teacher at a Music School

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Immerse into the life of a Costarican family!
  • Learn to live with less and share a lot - pura vida!

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles

About the program

If you love music, play an instrument and love to teach - then you are in demand in a music school!

About the Program

This school exists since 2008 in Nicoya and is supported by SINEM (Sistema Nacional de Educación Nacional). Here the children learn first of all classic and traditional music - but, depending on your skills, the school is also open for workshops in Jazz or Rock music. Local ...

About the program

About the Program

This school exists since 2008 in Nicoya and is supported by SINEM (Sistema Nacional de Educación Nacional). Here the children learn first of all classic and traditional music - but, depending on your skills, the school is also open for workshops in Jazz or Rock music. Local cultural organizations are helping the school buying instruments and offering rooms for rehearsal. There are actually around 600 students from 4-19 years but there are only very few teachers that get paid – mostly the students teach each other.

You are welcome to teach the students and also to join the rehearsals of the orchestra - maybe you can also play with the orchestra in events. If you cannot bring your own instrument the school can lend one - please contact us before.

Our Volunteers

Usually our volunteers can play an orchestral instrument like a violin, a cello, a contrabass, a trumpet, a flute or a saxophone...just to name a few! Our volunteers should like it to work with children. They should speak a minimum level of Spanish, (otherwise it's difficult to teach the children music). Volunteers have the opportunity to attend Spanish classes in Costa Rica to improve their Spanish skills. 

Your Location

The school is located in Nicoya, near the northwest pacific coast of Costa Rica in Guanacaste.



Typical day

Daily Schedule

The daily schedule is - as in all school programs - very flexible and due to the actual needs of the school and the period of the year. The school usually has classes in the afternoons. The school is open all-year and during the school holidays there will be holiday programs for the ...

Typical day

Daily Schedule

The daily schedule is - as in all school programs - very flexible and due to the actual needs of the school and the period of the year. The school usually has classes in the afternoons. The school is open all-year and during the school holidays there will be holiday programs for the children!

Your Tasks

You can expect to take part in the following tasks:

  • Teaching and supervision of the children
  • Be part of orchestral concerts
  • Work and help at special events


Free-time activities

Nicoya is about 45 min with the bus from Sámara on the pacific coast where you have all the leisure time possibilities that you can dream of: swimming, diving, kayaking, surfing, horse riding .... 

In Nicoya there are a lot of cultural activities that you can join. 

Depending on if you will join ...

Free-time activities

Nicoya is about 45 min with the bus from Sámara on the pacific coast where you have all the leisure time possibilities that you can dream of: swimming, diving, kayaking, surfing, horse riding .... 

In Nicoya there are a lot of cultural activities that you can join. 

Depending on if you will join the orchestra, you might also be "working" on a Sunday ... but you will always have your days off for activities and visiting other places! ;-)


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level) or Spanish (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You need to play an instrument and you should be able to teach your instrument in Spanish - and therefore have some technical vocabulary.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by first hand Costa Rica

  • Accommodation 
  • Food and drinks
  • Assistance
  • We organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!)

Accommodation

You will be living with a family in Nicoya and you will have your own room (maybe shared with another volunteer).

Food & Beverages

 You'll enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with the family based on the tipical Costarican diet, for example rice, beans, vegetables, meat and fruit.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program is available all year. It starts every Monday. Please arrive at least one day before the programs starts. Your family will welcome you already on Friday before your project starts.  

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,251€
6 weeks 1,659€
8 weeks 2,066€
12 weeks 2,881€
24 weeks (max. stay) 4,850€
Average fees 257€/week

Program fees

257€ per week 4 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 24 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with first hand Costa Rica during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

first hand Costa Rica

Fantastic 4.5 rating (97 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2006

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Sofia

Spoken languages: English, French, German, Spanish

About the project

We offer you to immerse in the daily life of costarican families and work routines of teaching and conservation projects. These new found knowledges teach you a lot.

Meet your organization

In 1994 we at first hand moved to Costa Rica and everything started when my son went to a little elementary school near Sámara: 11 children, 6 degrees, one classroom and one teacher. We started bringing volunteers to this little school and 'poco a poco' other schools addressed us with interest of having volunteers and families offered themselves for having volunteers in their house.

Since then a lot has changed and developed at first hand – we started many new teaching programs and conservation projects all over the country – but one thing is still the same: we have a very personal and very close contact to all of our schools, guestfamilies and projects. We live in Costa Rica and we will be there when you need us!

First hand offers volunteer opportunities in schools, kindergarten, music schools, turtle camps, animal reserves, macaw stations, farms and in the rainforest.

We, the agency for volunteer work first hand, are in direct contact with schools and environmental conservation projects planning, organizing and joining our volunteers during this unforgettable and worthy experience!

We have 20 years experience of living in Costa Rica and feel commited to the people, comunitary help and sustainable ecological development. Through the 'Asociación Intercambio Cultural ALEGRIA - AICA', a non-profit organization, we have been promoting intercultural exchange in all areas of artistic expression and organizing festivals and benefit events. 

First hand offers projects almost everywhere in Costa Rica. San Jose, Islita, Buena Vista, Manzanillo, Drake Bay, Mata Palo...just to name a few!

Our Vision

first hand wants to contribute to a sustainable development and mutual respect by intercultural exchange and learning from each other.

Why volunteering with first hand?

Your contribution makes the difference in educating children, preserving marine turtles or other animals and protecting the rainforests of Costa Rica. You live and work with locals and you get to learn the real life of Costaricans. Every day you deal directly with opinions, lifestyles and routines of a different culture. These new found knowledges teach you more about yourself! You learn or improve your spanish skills. Language is the key to understanding the values of a different culture. Work experiences in foreign countries are indispensable in times of globalization. A volunteer based commitment will open many doors for you.

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a little tropical paradise between two oceans. Hardly any other country has such an abundance of plants and animals on such a small terrain. 25% of it's area is protected by national parks. Active volcanos, hot springs, rain and cloud forests, mountain rivers, spectacular waterfalls, subterranean caves, coral reefs, mangroves, amazing caribbean and pacific beaches and a fascinating animal world invite you to discover and enjoy.

Costa Rica has the oldest democracy in Latin America, a working social system, responsable environmental laws and is the only country in the world that has no army. The relaxed 'pura vida' lifestyle of the 'ticos' and their hospitality towards visitors make it one of the safest top destinations in Latin America.

97 reviews · rating4.5

Vivien rating4.4

2016 at Music Teacher at a Music School

I felt in good hands in Costa Rica due to the great mentoring of first hand and my loving guest family. At the music school everyone welcomed me warmly as well. It was a great feeling to recognize that the children and even the teacher at school were happy about having a skilled clarinet teacher at ...
Sebastian rating4.4

2012 at Music Teacher at a Music School

Teaching was a new experience for me. I was impressed from the children’s motivation who were grateful for every offer. I was a pity that there weren’t teacher for every instrument. Besides there was a lot to experience in town. I joined many cultural events, festivals and much more. The ...
Sandra rating4.4

2012 at Music Teacher at a Music School

I felt really comfortable at the music school from the very beginning. My guest family treated me like a family member and the people in the village were really approachable. The pupils at school were excited about having me as a clarinet teacher at school. There were absolutely motivated and ...
Laurence Bouchayer rating4.4

2024 at Save Turtles in Montezuma

I had a great time in ASVO. Such an experience. You should communicate more about the conditions there, night shifts and very basics conditions of staying in the house. ..
Mélina Valloir Cherki rating4.4

2023 at Support Children in Schools in Beach Villages

This has been the best trip of my life. This experience was incredible on all levels. First of all the family that hosted me were very kind, very welcoming and very present when I needed help. Secondly, in regards to the school that I helped out in, everyone there was extremely nice to me and made ...
Julia Roth rating4.8

2022 at Save Turtles and Sloths

It really was an unforgettable time, lots fun and I met many nice people there. What we experienced while working was incredibly interesting and exiting. In our free time, too, we visited many different, great places or went to the sea. A wonderful ...

Location


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Contact Sofia
  Excellent response rate
English, French, German, Spanish

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