VN Center, Where Learning Meets Purpose
Our Story
In 2006, a small team of passionate educators and community advocates asked a bold question: What if study abroad could be more than sightseeing and classrooms? What if it could be about real people, real change, and real learning?
From that vision, the VN Center was born—a different kind of global learning experience rooted in ethics, community, and connection.
Far from the tourist trails, nestled in the rural heart of Costa Rica, VN programs take students deep into the lives and landscapes of communities few travelers ever see. This isn’t just study abroad—it’s living abroad, working side-by-side with farmers who are regenerating their land, women’s cooperatives building economic independence, environmental activists protecting sacred ecosystems, and refugees carving out new paths with dignity and strength.
Here, education doesn’t come from textbooks—it comes from stories. From the wisdom of local leaders. From the resilience of communities facing urgent social and environmental challenges head-on.
VN is more than a program. It’s a partnership. 🫂
Each initiative we launch is co-created with the people who call these communities home. Whether it’s a grassroots project or a student-led internship, every experience is built to serve both learning and local impact.
Our team is made up of seasoned faculty and local staff who live in the very neighborhoods where we work. They don’t just teach the issues—they live them. And that makes all the difference. They mentor students through experiences that are academically rigorous, deeply personal, and grounded in justice.
Whether you’re joining us for a faculty-led course, a hands-on internship, or a transformative semester abroad, one thing is certain: you won’t just leave with memories—you’ll leave with a mission.
Because at VN, we believe the world doesn’t need more tourists. It needs more changemakers. And that journey starts here.
Empowering Communities Through Cross-Cultural Learning
Our Team & Journey
Viva Nicaragua (VN) was founded by Sociologist and Global Educator, Carrie McCracken. Carrie’s research in Central America, combined with the vision of supporting community efforts through cross-cultural learning, prompted her to found VN. Initially based in Nicaragua, VN connected interns and groups with sustainable initiatives that focused on empowering women, improving health outcomes, and enhancing educational opportunities for children and youth. Over the years, VN supported numerous community initiatives and became a hub for hundreds of students and professionals eager to engage in meaningful work, fostering a spirit of collaboration and empowerment within local communities.
In 2018, in response to the sociopolitical situation in Nicaragua, the VN team made the difficult decision to relocate our operations to Costa Rica. This transition allowed us to continue our mission in a new context by supporting Nicaraguan communities, also forced into exile by the situation in Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, we support vulnerable rural populations, including Nicaraguan migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, providing crucial support during a challenging time.
VN is dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable community development 🌱
Our unique approach combines collaboration with local NGOs and the implementation of our own community initiatives. We have received funding from the United Nations Refugee Organization (UNHCR) to support inclusive communities. Our efforts aim to promote social integration and inclusivity for migrant and refugee communities.
Why Intern With VN?
At VN, we’re not just a study abroad program — we’re a community-driven organization that designs and implements our own projects, directly supporting local communities. Here’s what makes us truly unique:
We Run Our Own Projects:
Unlike other study abroad programs that simply observe or partner with existing initiatives, VN designs and manages our own projects that tackle real, on-the-ground challenges. From women’s empowerment programs to health education initiatives, our students and faculty work on projects that directly support communities and create lasting change.
Real Impact, Not Just Observation:
You won’t just visit communities — you’ll be actively engaged in the work. As a direct partner to these communities, VN ensures that every project you participate in is part of a larger, sustainable effort to create positive social, economic, and environmental change.
Ethical and Sustainable Engagement:
We prioritize ethical engagement and sustainable development. Our work is rooted in mutual respect, cultural understanding, and long-term community empowerment. You won’t just be a visitor; you’ll be a contributor to a broader mission that’s deeply aligned with the values of the people we serve.
Immersive, Hands-On Learning:
With VN, you’re not just attending classes — you’re living your learning. You’ll engage in real-world projects that address critical issues like migration, women’s empowerment, environmental conservation, and more. Our programs…
Spotlight – VN Community Partners
Our work is deeply intertwined with the incredible individuals and communities who inspire us every day. Get to know some of the remarkable people we partner with:
Meet Doña Rebecca
In an informal refugee settlement, Doña Rebecca is a source of strength, dignity, and joy. Every weekend, she makes sure children have a fresh, healthy meal, often the only one they’ll get that day. But her impact doesn’t stop there.
As a community leader and advocate for Nicaraguan refugee families, she empowers women through economic projects, runs a vibrant community garden, supports education and tutoring programs, and leads health and nutrition initiatives.
Working alongside Doña Rebecca isn’t just service — it’s a chance to learn what resilience looks like, what real leadership means, and how community-led change can grow from the most difficult circumstances.
VN supports Doña Rebecca and the community of Nueva Esperanza through social and economic integration projects, internship and volunteer placements, and material donations. Students leave Nueva Esperanza changed — inspired, and ready to act.
Doña Maria – Mujeres Emprendedoras – Strength at the Border
In a small rural community near the Costa Rica–Nicaragua border, a group of resilient women has built something powerful — together.
Mujeres Emprendedoras is a collective of Nicaraguan and Costa Rican women who have turned challenge into opportunity. Guided by a few remarkable female leaders, they’ve created a strong, organized community where women support one another. VN supports the community through business initiatives, health and wellness programs, and English classes.
They grow food. They make products. They share knowledge. They lift each other up.
To work with Mujeres Emprendedoras is to witness the quiet revolution of women shaping a more just and sustainable future from the ground up. Come ready to learn. Leave deeply inspired.
Doña Lucy Los Chiles – Building Bridges at the Border
Borders divide, but bridges connect.
At the northern edge of Costa Rica, Lucy and her family have become a bridge — offering warmth, food, and dignity to migrant families in transit, moving both north and south through Central America.
In their humble home, Lucy cooks for migrants, welcomes exhausted families, comforts children, and provides a safe resting place in a journey full of uncertainty.
VN supports Lucy and the Los Chiles community. We facilitate workshops, health programs, kids’ activities, and food, clothing, and hygiene kits. VN also organizes workshops to provide long-term income generating programs for migrant women who can no longer continue north due to changing U.S. immigration policies.
Lucy and her family remind us that humanity doesn’t stop at the border — and that building bridges is always possible.
Caño Negro – Community of Dignity and Hope
In the remote wetlands of Caño Negro, entire communities of migrant families have built homes from scrap wood and metal — creating informal settlements where formal systems rarely reach. But even here, hope grows.
VN works hand in hand with Nicaraguan and Costa Rican women who are leading efforts to care for their communities. Together, we support home health visits, nutrition and hygiene education, children’s activities, and women’s empowerment programs.
In a place where official help is scarce, neighbors step up for neighbors — offering care, connection, and collective strength.
Because every child deserves safety. Every woman deserves opportunity. And every community deserves to be seen.
Our Initiatives and Programs
Community Initiatives
We develop and implement our own projects that align with the needs and goals of the communities we serve. These initiatives aim to promote social integration, resilience, and empowerment, helping communities to thrive.
Women’s Small Business Projects
We support entrepreneurial endeavors among women, providing resources, training, and mentorship to help them establish and grow their businesses. This not only fosters economic independence but also strengthens community ties.
Health Outreach and Education
Our health programs focus on providing essential health education and services to underserved populations. We work to raise awareness about health issues and facilitate access to healthcare resources.
Emergency Education Programs
In times of crisis, we implement emergency education initiatives to ensure that children and youth continue to receive an education, regardless of their circumstances.
Community Gardens
We promote food security and sustainable agricultural practices through community gardens, providing training and resources to help families grow their own food.
We provide professional guidance ✨