A Learning Experience for Students Like No Other
Looking for a meaningful learning experience for your students?
I curate customized enrichment and leadership programs in Nicaragua. The purpose and intention of these programs are for students to experience cross-cultural learning with local Nicaraguan students and the community through education and exploration.
The programs are orchestrated to offer participants a variety of activities to enhance the mutual learning and growth for all involved, including local Nicaraguans, visiting foreigners, students, teachers, parents, and local farmers.
We leave a positive imprint on each other, expanding minds, widening perspectives, and understanding that even though we come from different backgrounds and live culturally different lives, as human beings seeking learning and happiness, we are not so different from each other.
Some of the activities include:
- Walk to School Fundraiser – students visit family homes in rural communities where Nicaraguan school children walk over an hour along dirt roads to get to school.
- Engaging in Spanish and English learning and games
- Co-creating a mural for a local learning center
- Learning music and playing instruments
- Playing baseball with local school kids
- Learning to surf
- Zip-lining on Mombacho Volcano
- Exploring the jungle-grounds by bicycle
- Enjoying beach volleyball in the late afternoons
- Round-table check-ins every evening where each student speaks up about the highlight of their day, and the biggest thing they learned from that days’ experiences.
“It was very insightful and humbling, and it made me grateful – I loved every part of it!”
“I loved making connections with all the students. It was cool to watch our different cultures blend as we learned.”
“I like being able to be with the kids and learn with them freely, and build connections.”
“Catching the chicken was a lot of fun, surfing and zip lining too, but it was just great to be with the school and it gave me a different perspective on the life I am living in Florida.”
“This experience is life-changing!”
“This is a lot of fun and something that you should definitely do because it will really benefit your life and give you some new experiences that you would almost never get living in America.”
“Fun, educating, humbling, and eye-opening. Definitely, a fun trip that you will gain something from. A good balance of work and play.”
“It’s a great learning experience and really helps your shift your mindset. Definitely do it, no question!”
What’s Included
- Healthy, delicious meals 3 x daily (all dietary requirements catered for)
- Modern, newly furnished private eco-casitas
- Exquisite open-air yoga shala with jungle views
- Queen and King sized beds with soft cotton sheets
- Garden and jungle landscapes of Eucalyptus trees, exotic flowers
- Refreshing swimming pools
- Private Beach Club Access
- Mindfulness and Gratitude focused workshops
- Jungle hikes with coastal views
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Wifi/AC/Hot Water
- Safe and comfortable transportation in-country
- Calendar of optional local cultural immersion activities
- Pristine beaches and spectacular sunsets
*Optional add-on activities include:
- ocean-view jungle hikes to sea turtle nesting beaches
- horse riding on the beach at sunset
- daily afternoon volleyball
- surf lessons available
- surfboards available to rent
- rejuvenating yoga sessions
- bicycles or golf carts for getting around Hacienda Iguana
Venture Within is proud to support CREA, a local non-profit based in Tola, Nicaragua which inspires rural Nicaraguans through literacy, education and leadership in youth development.
Proceeds from your accommodation in Hacienda Iguana are donated directly towards this local initiative. Find out more about CREA’s impact in the local community.
Menu
Meal selection will vary and be finalized closer to your arrival date, however below are regularly offered meals. All dietary requirements catered for including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
Healthy snacks will be available during the workshop and additional smoothies available for purchase in the afternoon at any of the local cafes.
BREAKFAST
Breakfasts served with local Nicaraguan coffee & fresh juices.
Your choice of:
- Scrambled eggs, gallo pinto, red corn tortilla, avocado, and pico de gallo
- Two fried eggs with ranchero sauce, gallo pinto, bacon, avocado, homemade red corn tortilla served with a bowl of seasonal fruit.
- Fluffy pancakes served with a bowl of seasonal fruit.
LUNCH & DINNER
Lunch and dinner menu items include lasagna, burritos, tacos, healthy salads, chicken or eggplant cacciatore, grilled chicken or fish dishes, and more.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS & DINNER OPTIONS
Included Dinners
Your Retreat includes a Welcome Dinner served at Pili’s, a Mediterranean-style open-air restaurant on the beach serving hearty, healthy dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. A variety of gourmet dishes of fish, meat, chicken, salads, and vegetarian/vegan options are available.
Your farewell dinner is also included and will be at La Boquita, an ambient open-air terrace overlooking the rugged coastline. La Boquita serves an ever-changing lineup of wood fire oven pizzas, raspas, and small plates accompanied by a selection of locally brewed craft beers, wines, and signature cocktails.
Open Dinners
Each eco-casita is equipped with a full kitchen for you to feel free to cook any additional meals in the evening if you like.
Alternatively, we’d like to offer the local options for you to try:
- Pili’s – A Mediterranean-style restaurant on the beach serving hearty, healthy dishes made with local ingredients. A variety of gourmet dishes of fish, meat, chicken, salads, and vegetarian/vegan options are available. A tiki bar offers happy hour specials and a variety of tropical drinks, liquors, wine, and beers.
- Casa Ananas – A quaint Italian restaurant offering homemade pasta, wood oven pizzas, as well as specialty nights serving burgers, Asian food, and Mexican food.
- Don Eloy’s – A sports bar serving pizza, burgers, salads, tacos, and steaks.
Book. Click the “Book Now” button below to submit your details.
Make a Payment. After submitting your details, you will be taken to the “Make A Payment” page so that you can secure your placement with a deposit and a signed participant agreement.
- Deposit of 50% of the total cost is due to secure placement.
- Remaining balance of 50% of the total cost is due 30 days before your departure date.
All payments are non-refundable.
Payment plans are available. Just reach out to me and I can structure a payment plan that works for you and gets you on a Retreat.
Flights. Airport options are Augusto C Sandino international airport in Managua (MGA), Nicaragua, or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia (LIR), Costa Rica. We will pick you up at the airport upon arrival. Please get in touch with me and I’ll help you arrange for the best possible travel logistics
Prepare. We will connect with you soon to provide more information regarding in-country travel logistics, your itinerary, and any answer questions you may have that helps you prepare.
Meet Your Program Facilitator
Christy Nichols
Author | Life Purpose Coach | Curator of Transformational Retreats | CEO at Venture Within | Purposeful Travel Advocate
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Christy’s professional education expertise has afforded her the opportunity to work all over the world. Since achieving a Masters Degree and Teaching Credentials in Sussex, England, she has delivered educational and leadership initiatives internationally to individuals in the UK, Europe, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Africa, Canada, the USA, and Australia. Her passion is creating transformational experiences for personal and professional growth through overseas immersion, executive life coaching, and adventurous experiences abroad. She enables and inspires others to live a full and meaningful life.
Customize Your Program
I partner with teachers, life coaches, wellness or yoga instructors seeking to take their students or clients to the next level by providing a life-changing retreat overseas. I personally work with educators, facilitators, and instructors to co-create an experience that will enhance and amplify cross-cultural learning experiences.
Beginning with understanding the take-aways you want to create for your clients through detailed planning, travel and accommodation logistics, communications, and on-the-ground support, I can enhance your offerings in ways that take your business to the next level.
You can expect:
- Personal collaboration from Venture Within’s founder, who has 10 years of experience running experiential retreats overseas.
- Flexibility in fusing a co-created experience combining our expertise to co-create the best possible experience.
- Assistance in planning, managing, and marketing your retreat.
- Access to our overseas community and network of accommodations, and local experiences in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
- Back-end platform support for logistics, payments, partnership site hosting, and more.
- On-location support staff, location management, and extra facilitation if desired.
- Transparency, professional treatment, and genuine care for your business from the initial chats to the final moment of celebration at the end of your successfully completed retreat.