Pivoting with Purpose

A Journey of Self-Exploration

La Fortuna, Costa Rica
December 11-18, 2024

Program Details

"Pivoting with Purpose" is more than just a getaway – it's a deliberate step towards embracing change and charting a course towards a more fulfilling life.  Join us to redefine your relationship with the world and step into a life of purpose and harmony.

Scheduled from December 11th to 18th, this unique retreat takes place in a beautiful sustainable rainforest eco-lodge on the border of the world-famous Children’s Eternal Rainforest, a preserve of 250,000 acres of protected rainforest on the outskirts of La Fortuna, Costa Rica. In addition to enjoying wonderful farm-to-table dining, exciting outdoor activities, and engaging social time, you will explore strategies, drawn from the latest research and insights in the field, for aligning life with purpose and meaning.

Leading the journey of self-exploration is Emory University Professor, Dr. Ira Bedzow, a prominent authority in purpose and meaning. Dr. Ira Bedzow is a distinguished scholar and ethicist, renowned for his interdisciplinary approach that spans the fields of ethics and philosophy, theology, business and organizational leadership, and medicine. When it comes to thinking about purposeful change, he shows that making a values-driven decision and implementing it effectively consist of different skills. Understanding the difference between asking “what to do” and “how can I act on my values successfully” is key to success.

Each day, Ira will facilitate discussions where you will be able to examine your beliefs about yourself and the world around you, as well as the values that have guided your life’s choices. Through group discussion, you will consider new ways to perceive familiar situations with the purpose of broadening your horizons and your sense of possibility for what comes next.  

Intentionally curated to get the most out of your week, this retreat promises a rich tapestry of daily sessions, reflection spaces and practical exercises that you can carry forward to anchor meaningful change as you move forward with intention. From yoga and meditation, to the ancient art of qigong,  workshops to foster connection to self and others,  as well as opportunities to experience the Costa Rican landscape and traditions, each day will offer new chances for personal growth, introspection and community.

Why We Are Creating This Program:
At Carpe Diem Education, we have been deeply moved by the profound stories of impact that our alumni and their families share about their experiences. The sense of clarity and reward we hear is heartening: students returning from their education abroad programs with a newfound sense of self, clarity of purpose, and a toolkit of skills to navigate their journey ahead.  

Over the years we’ve also heard an increasing call for similar experiences for adults and alumni who desire to go inward, travel purposefully, and find their hidden potential.

To answer that call, we are thrilled to announce our inaugural program designed specifically for adults - "Pivoting with Purpose."

Highlights

Farm to Table

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Rainforest Dining

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Healthy & Healing

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Retreat, Reflect & Restore

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Farm Fresh Organic Foods

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Sample Retreat Schedule: 

  • 7 AM: Awaken Your Mindset (Options include Yoga, Meditation, Breathwork, Qigong)
  • 8 AM: Farm-to-Table Breakfast
  • 9 AM - 11 AM: Morning Exploration Sessions (Themes include Connection Workshops, Ancestors and Legacy, Listening to Nature and Biomimicry, The Art of Relating)
  • 11 AM - 12 PM: Leisure Time (Options to rest, enjoy the pool, or indulge in a spa healing session)
  • 12 PM: Farm-to-Table Lunch
  • 2 PM - 3:30 PM: Pivoting with Purpose Core Course
  • 3:30 PM - 5 PM: Community Engagement Activities (Including regenerative agriculture practices, chocolate making, herbal medicine workshops, and waterfall excursions)
  • 5 PM - 6 PM: Personal Time
  • 7 PM: Farm-to-Table Dinner
  • 8 PM: Evening Community Connections (Enjoy a Bonfire, Biodanza, Yin Yoga, Social Time, or an Optional Jungle Night Hike)

Pricing and Details:
Starting from $3,900 USD, the retreat is inclusive of meals, standard accommodations, transportation once in Costa Rica, all course sessions, and the use of retreat facilities.   

A timed pickup will be arranged to transport participants from San Jose International Airport (SJO) on December 11th to the retreat center in La Fortuna and back to SJO on December 18th.   The distance between the airport and the retreat center is under 3 hours by road. 

All accommodation is shared, with the option for independent travelers to share with another of the same gender, for those traveling together to stay together, as well as an option to pay a supplement for single use.   The base room is a 5-person family bungalow, however, there are upgrades available for single, double, and triple rooms.  Please fill out the form below with any questions, or call the office, and we can price specific inquiries.

*Scholarships are available. Please contact us to learn more

Travel and Logistics Details

Eligibility and Expectations

Facilitators:

In addition to the Lead Facilitators in detail below, other local experts will run sessions on permaculture and regenerative agriculture, Costa Rican Flora and fauna, BioDanza, Yoga, Qigong, Breathwork, Chocolate making, herbal medicine and much more.

Core Course Facilitator: Ira Bedzow

Facilitator: Alain Laggar

Facilitator: Alnoor Ladha

Accommodation and Retreat Amenities: 

Our home for the week is a beautiful sustainable rainforest eco-lodge on the border of the world-famous Children’s Eternal Rainforest, a preserve of 250,000 acres of protected rainforest on the outskirts of La Fortuna, Costa Rica.  The eco-lodge is a sanctuary for sustainable living and a laboratory for regenerative agriculture, with thoughtfully designed accommodations blending traditional craftsmanship with modern comforts.  Every aspect of the lodge embodies a commitment to sustainability and connection with the surrounding environment. Delight in organic farm-to-table dining showcasing the region's culinary delights.  Wind down each night in well-appointed rooms and relax in your free time in the pool, take in the birds and unique nature of one of the world's bio-diverse hotspots, or book a spa treatment for a real treat.

 

Retreat Amenities

Family Bungalows

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Casa Barrow

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Casa Luna

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Casitas Deluxe

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Dome Suite

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Family Bungalows

Casa Barrow (1 ROOM REMAINING)

Casa Luna

Casitas Deluxe

Dome Suite (SOLD OUT)

“Grounding, meditative, exploratory, and world-opening is how I’d describe my experience.  Their approach to fostering engagement creates a beautiful nexus of how you can learn more intentionally, how to better live, and ultimately, how to love to live.”  - Noah Jaffe

 

Interest Form