Author: Sarah Hackman
Yesterday, uVolunteer hosted an end of the year party for the San Ramon’s Adult Community English Classes. The students have 
been enrolled in classes, from pre-beginner to advanced, since March. During these past nine months, the students and volunteer teachers have spent four hours a week in the classroom. Classes were held two days a wek, either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Most uVolunteers to not come to San Ramon to only teach the night classes, but many find that the time spent teaching is a worthwhile addition to their daily projects. Volunteers end up learning just as much from the students as the students learn from the volunteers. Besides practicing their Spanish, volunteers are interacting with the community and getting a real feel for Costa Rican culture. Students also enjoy learning about the volunteers and their lives abroad. The students have had the chance to meet many volunteers as they have come and gone from San Ramon over the last nine months.
The party began at the school where the night classes are held. Volunteers, staff, and students gathered in the school’s gym for a game of indoor futbol. After over an hour of intense yet friendly play, the game was decided by penalty kicks. The volunteers ended up winning on the last shot! Everyone then walked over to the uVolunteer dorm for a BBQ dinner. Certificates were awarded to each of the students for their completion of the course. Gifts were also presented to Dayton and Danilo, two local University students who have been teaching classes with volunteers since March. The party ended at a local bar with great conservation, in English and Spanish, and some karaoke!
I have been involved in several project in San Ramon through uVolunteer since I arrived in August, but teaching the night classes has been one of the more rewarding experiences. The students are serious and excited about learning English and are eager to help me with my Spanish. Interacting with people of all ages from in and around San Ramon has really made me feel like a part of the community!
uVolunteer would like to congratulate the students who completed this year’s course and thank all of the volunteers who helped teach the classes over the past nine months!
