One of the most significant information technology trends in recent years has been the learn-to-code movement, endorsed by the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and even Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat. To this end, programming boot camps have emerged as popular teaching methods to introduce novices to the intricate world of coding. In Costa Rica, an international coding boot camp has chosen Playa Potrero in Guanacaste as an ideal classroom for students who wish to build web applications.

 

GoCode is a programming boot camp with a full 8-week curriculum that guides students through learning how to program in Python, starting with very little knowledge to be able to build their own Web applications by the end of the 8 weeks. GoCode’s learning facilities are based on beach-front locations around the world. This allows students to fully relax and immerse themselves in learning without the distractions of daily life. Learning by doing and having fun is at the core of GoCode’s teaching philosophy.

 

GoCode co-founder Jeremy Schwartz told The Costa Rica Star about the idea of setting up shop in Playa Potrero:

 

When we first got the idea to do a boot camp outside of the U.S. my first thought was Costa Rica. I spent a few weeks there learning how to surf and loved it. Also I worked with Jeudy Blanco at MapMyFitness, and he is from Costa Rica (he is a GoCode instructor). From him I learned of the growing technology scene in Costa Rica. It is a beautiful great country, and also an easy flight from many places.

 

Learning by doing and having fun is at the core of GoCode’s teaching philosophy. This pedagogical model is based on Professor Barbara Oakley’s neuroscience research into how best to learn, where structured downtime is an important component.

 

Mr. Schwartz expands on this style of learning:

 

I learn the best when I’m relaxed and having fun. I never went to school or learned coding in a classroom, it was all learned while I was having fun, building projects, in a relaxed setting. That’s what I hope to bring to my students. No more ugly classrooms and 12-hour days. We can teach you the same amount of material in half the time.

 

Our Python boot camp is cheaper than boot camps based in the USA. We provide free accomodation, weekend activities, as well as a travel subsidy. All for just $12,800. Daily living expenses are also much cheaper in Costa Rica, and there will be no commuting costs or time spent wasted on a congested highway!

 

GoCode is the latest unique tech academy setting up shop in our country. Just a few beaches over from GoCode we find Hacker Paradise, which we recently featured. These two educational outfits have more than computer science in common: They both highly encourage female students and the local community to enroll:

 

GoCode is proud to support women and local communities. We offer full scholarships for outstanding female applicants as well applicants from the local community in Costa Rica.

 

The Python programming language emphasizes code readability, and its syntax allows programmers to express concepts in fewer lines of code than in other languages such as C++ or Java. In addition to learning Python, GoCode students will also tackle technologies such as HTML/CSS, Javascript, SQL, and MongoDB; these are crucial concepts to master when it comes to building Web applications.