Panther Breakaway International: Costa Rica

Our Project:

In May 2015, Panther Breakaway and the Office of Civic Engagement is sponsoring it's first-ever international service learning trip to Costa Rica. This service trip is being coordinated in partnership with the Peacework Development Fund, Inc. During our week in Costa Rica, the eight students selected to go on the trip will be working at a primary school that was damaged by a mudslide in a rural region of the country. While there, the students will be providing classroom assistance to the teachers, building a playground for the students and planting a garden program to assist with the needs of the school cafeteria. This trip will not only aid the members of this Costa Rican community, but enrich and expand the lives of the Georgia State students through this service learning experience that will last a lifetime.

Why Give:

The total cost of the trip is $1,742 per participant, which includes all transportation, lodging and meals. Our main goal is to offset the student costs by $542, which is the amount of their final deposit for the trip. In addition to providing these funds for the students attending, we're hoping to raise $2,000 that will go towards building the playground at the school. Additional funds will help offset the cost of the chaperones for the trip. By making a gift you will help Georgia State students make a meaningful impact on the rural Costa Rican community with less of a financial burden. Please support Panthers who are serving the world by making a gift to our project today!

About Us:

Panther Breakaway in the Office of Civic Engagement has been offering alternative break trips serving communities in the Southeast United States for many years now. This Panther Breakaway trip will be our first international trip and is aimed at combining service learning with cultural competency that will be useful for students as they begin their careers in today’s globalized workforce. Panther Breakaway participants serve the world by helping to build stronger communities, touch the lives of those in need and form new relationships. The impact of these experiences promotes both personal and professional development and serves as the catalyst for a life-long commitment to active citizenship. Most students will continue to engage in thoughtful action and service as they recognize and become more aware of social and cultural issues beyond the trip.

Panther Breakaway alumni have shared stories about how attending a service trip changed their career goals by introducing them to social justice issues and career paths they had not previously considered. Students also have the opportunity to build transferable skills that they can use regardless of their professional goals. To learn more about Panther Breakaway and our other service learning trips, please visit our website.