High School Abroad in Nicaragua

Though small, Nicaragua has several options for high school abroad programs. For those looking for a more educational program, there are high school exchanges, where students attend a local high school alongside other students, and summer study abroad programs. For either type of program, students will most likely live with a local Nicaraguan host family and focus on cultural immersion.

A lot of smaller language schools will also offer Spanish courses for high schoolers (or let high schoolers over a certain age attend class alongside adult students). High schoolers can take these courses for anywhere from 1 week to several months.

Teen travel tours are another option for high schoolers who want both exploration and education in their time abroad. These adventurous programs allow students to go zip-lining and white water rafting through the lush rainforest of Nicaragua, participate in volunteer projects, or focus on learning about ecology in Nicaragua.

Visas

Most programs will assist with paperwork, however, there is no visa required for stays under 90 days for Americans, Canadians, and EU citizens. If your stay lasts longer than that, you'll have to look into applying to a visa ahead of time.

Housing

Most programs have a homestay option, where students live with a host family for the duration of the program. Not only can you learn from your hosts, but being with a family can help you feel less homesick. Other programs will have on site housing similar to college dorms. Students will share rooms with fellow students from all around the world.

Keep in mind that housing in Nicaragua -- though usually with electricity and running water -- will be more basic than what you're used to back home.

Costs

Most high school abroad programs in Nicaragua include three meals a day and housing in their program fees. If they don't, you should plan to budget about $20 - $30 per day in order to cover any personal costs. Even if the program is all inclusive, it's still a good idea to budget at least $20 a day for your stay.

Other than food, program costs range from $5,000 - $10,000. Flights will vary from where you are departing from (though they tend to be pretty affordable from North America).

Packing Tips

As for most destinations in Central America, be sure to pack the following for your high school abroad trip to Nicaragua:

• Bathing suit
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Light clothing
• Rain jacket (especially from May to October, which is Nicaragua's rainy season)
• A light jacket (it can get down to 60 degrees at night)
• A day backpack
• Good hiking sneakers or Tevas (I'm a big fan of trail runners since they aren't as hot and heavy as boots)

Your program provider will also likely have a packing list of their own you can follow.

Safety

Despite its reputation, Nicaragua is a fairly safe place to visit -- especially outside the capital of Managua.

However, one of the main safety concerns for travelers in Nicaragua is petty theft and dangerous transportation. From petty crime on busses and poor back roads, it's safer to always stay on the beaten path here. This being said, parents can rest assured knowing transportation is provided in almost all programs.

Health

Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations are all recommended to visit Nicaragua. While in Nicaragua, it's a good idea to take care against mosquitos.

Contributed by Brittany Gibson