Study Spanish Abroad

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose
• North Western Region: 
Alajuela,  Heredia,  Samara
• Central Pacific Coast: 
Turrialba,  Manuel Antonio

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 
Dates: Open all year round (except holidays)

Description: We encourage you to study Spanish abroad in some of the most beautiful, exotic, safe and friendly locations in the entire world. Gain a richer, deeper understanding of the people, their culture and their language in our Immersion programs and have fun while doing so. We offer short term and year round classes geared towards your specific needs. These may involve a range of programs beyond our General Spanish and homestay offerings which include Summer Youth programs, academic enrichment programs and specific packages oriented towards the needs of Medical professionals, Educators and Legal professionals. In addition, we have other add-on options which include adventure tours, in-country excursions and family day care for children.

Highlights: How studying abroad differs from traditional techniques:

1) The student finds himself or herself immersed in the language and the culture.

2) Classes are on a smaller scale (max of 4-6 students per class) which lowers the teacher to student ratio allowing the instructor to give greater personalized attention to each student.

3) Classes are 4 hours a day. Since classes are covering a single subject, more hours do not necessarily translate into more effective learning. Students need time to absorb and integrate what they have studied.

4) Each student has the option to stay with host families and thus gain insights into the everyday life, values and assumptions of the culture. These are in some ways just as important to the learning process as understanding the technical details of the language itself.

5) The are plenty of enjoyable activities available through the program such as biking, hiking, swimming, running, aerobics, yoga, dance classes, cooking classes, white water rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, horseback riding, surfing, etc& .

6) Classes taken with language programs can be transferred for credit depending on your schools requirements.

We at Spanish for Success are in agreement with traditional academic institutions that one needs to study the basic rules of grammar, vocabulary and other key fundamentals of Spanish to learn the language.

However, much of the traditional curriculum in high school and college is based on rote memorization. We believe a key component is missing - namely an emphasis on verbal communication and in addition to that a practical understanding of cultural values and assumptions.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Depeding on the location will vary on cost

1) 15-20 hours of Spanish Classes
2) Homestay/lodging
3) Meals
4) Cultural Activities i.e. Dance Classes (Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia) and Cooking classes
5) Partial day tours i.e visits to local museums, visits to volunteer places
6) Transportation to and from school activities
7) Internet (depending on the location)

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Spanish for Success's Mission Statement: Our mission is providing study abroad programs that emphasizes and integrates both components via classroom exercises and the utilization of the Immersion Method. The Immersion Method is applied when a student is surrounded in the context of the culture via constantly speaking Spanish in places such as local shops, markets, gyms, bars, restaurants, school and with their host families. Students find themselves applying their newly acquired skills on an everyday basis with appropriate feedback from their professors as well as the people around them. This method allows the student to hone their abilities in a supportive and relaxed environment. Our Goals and Requirement are to visit school sites and evaluate the facilities to determine whether or not they meet our requirements for our clients. Educational quality is heavily influenced by the background and experience of the administration plus their educators. Furthermore, we investigate the lodging facilities, safety, cleanliness, tour variety and availability, experience, and professionalism. Given that we work with programs abroad. Many laws and requirements are different from the US and Europe. We try to find a happy medium so that each student's transition is as smooth, comfortable, and fun as possible. We at Spanish for Success always work closely with the schools to better improve the quality of their services.

Year Founded: 2004