Eco Spanish Camp

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Turrialba

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Spanish for Success has a new Teen Spanish Camp program offered in Costa Rica for 2008. Eco Spanish camp is geared for teens or high school student's ages 14-17 yrs old.
The program offers a different experience for teens. The location of the program is in the countryside of Costa Rica, about 1 ½ hours from the capital of San Jose.

Teens are exposed to plenty of Eco-environmental sites and the town is an ideal location to visit the local coffee (organic) plantations, rivers, lakes, nearby volcanoes, archaeological sites, and forests.

The rich green mountains offer a captivating view which is different from the city and beach towns. The town is also a great place to learn Spanish, because of the low key tourism effect.

Homestays play a key role in the experience individual students. Families are accustomed to hosting students and have been doing so for many years. Many of the families in town, and in the program, are middle class. Overall, the lodging situation is very comfortable, clean, and friendly (Note: housing standards are different from US, Europe, Canada to Latin America). Our Spanish teachers are experienced educators in the field.

Students are exposed to many aspects of Costa Rican culture ranging from: Spanish courses, Latin dance classes, local cuisine cooking, volunteer/workshops with local indigenous groups, visits to local municipal sites and guest speakers from the local preservationist and tourism board. There are also optional activities from movie nights, karaoke, intercambio (cross cultural) sports, visits to University swimming pools, and adventure tours i.e. zipline, horse back ridding, and Hiking. The full weekend tour, the students will be taken to Tortuguero known for one of Costa Rica's eco-tourism.

The Eco Spanish Camp includes: transportation, housing, laundry, three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), tours, activities, chaperone, airport taxes, and 15 hours of Spanish classes and materials.

We offer a safe program for teens, with 24 hour chaperone monitoring from staff, homestay parents and approved guides. The teen is never left alone without adult supervision. Experienced staff, educators, and guides provide a fun, adventurous, and educational Eco Spanish Camp.

Communication is available at all times when participating in the program. Parents can reach the staff via cell phone available 24 hours a day, or at some homes, there are landline phones students can use with a pre-purchased phone cards (which can be purchased upon arrival). From there they can call home for updates. There is also an available internet, fax, and traditional mailing system.

Requirements for potential clients:

   1. Ages 14-17 yrs. old
   2. Medical Clearance from a Board Certified Physician (Form will be provided)
   3. Insurance Health/Travel Insurance (Copy required upon travel time)
   4. Full program payment prior to departure to Costa Rica (Invoice will be provided)
   5. Signed release forms from parents (Forms provided upon registration)
   6. Purchase a flight ticket (Arrival recommendation to arrive in Costa Rica on day time on Sunday) Departure day back student's home country is on Sunday.
   7. Last but not least, a willingness to study in a tropical country, with plenty of adventure and education. Keep in mind it's a humid, tropical country. However, temperatures can vary depending on season, altitude and specific location. Bring clothing that can be layered.

Contact our coordinators for a complete description of the program.

Cost in US$: $1500 (2 weeks)

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• 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