Dougherty County Schools provide students scholarship opportunity for Costa Rica trip
DCSS gives students the chance to travel abroad.
ALBANY, GA– This summer, the Dougherty County School System (DCSS) will be providing 40 students with the opportunity of a life time.
Jasamine Dixon, DCSS 6-12 grade social studies content coordinator, says the school system is looking to have 40 students attend a trip to Costa Rica in the summer of 2023. A scholarship application has been open for a little over a month and any student within DCSS, grades six through twelve, are eligible to apply.
By partnering with Education First Tours, students will be given the extraordinary opportunity to spend nine days traveling various cities around Costa Rica.
It’s a nice getaway for the students that is both informative and filled with enjoyable outings every day. They’ll get the chance to parasail, kayak, and even take alligator and crocodile tours, as well as explore some of the world’s most stunning waterfalls, pristine beaches, and geological landmarks like volcanoes. Additionally, students will be granted opportunities to try new foods, learn about the environment, Costa Rican history.
Dixon explains, “As educators we understand that real-world experience is the best teacher. Our overall goal is to help bring value to the importance of becoming globally minded citizens and realizing as the world becomes more interconnected, having relationships and being able to adapt to cultures you aren’t necessarily familiar with or comfortable with is going to open up so many doors in the future and so getting this chance at the high school level will, I think open their eyes to a world beyond what they see in their communities.”
She also stated applications have been rolling in since they opened. There was so much excitement that some students submitted full payments directly after the interest meeting.
The total cost of the trip including flight, travel and room/board is approximately $3,400. However, if finances are a concern, Dixon wants parents and families to know that there is an opportunity for students to apply for a scholarship.
“Our superintendent was adamant about having a process in place to allow students who have financial need to participate so we drafted a scholarship criteria and we have opened that up to all of your students who have a financial need but see value in taking advantage of these opportunities, ” says Dixon.
Applications for the Costa Rica scholarship are open until February 28, 2023.
If you are a student interested in going to Costa Rica, applying for the scholarship or if you’re just a parent with questions, you’re urged to contact the school your child attends.
It’s important to understand students are responsible for obtaining their own passport and bringing extra currency to pay for additional and personal items not covered by the trips total or scholarship fund.
Lastly, if your child is unable to make this year’s trip, the school will once again be going global in 2024, taking students to Rome and Greece.
Written by Tiaura Campbell
Edited by Mary Alex Anders
