First Week

Background:

Leading up to our trip to Heredia, Costa Rica, we had 6 pre-departure classes in Spanish to prepare for our travels and visits to companies here in Costa Rica. This program involves Spanish classes during the week for roughly 3 to 4 hours, business visits in the afternoons, and cultural immersion activities. It is a global immersion elective; therefore, each person stays with a host family. On the weekends we travel to special landmarks in Costa Rica to understand the culture, history and beautiful scenery.

We spent the day after we arrived getting our feet wet by practicing our spanish while unwinding on Isla Tortuga

Coffee has been a historically important crop in Costa Rica and we visited a coffee farm to understand the business

Our group experienced a Costa Rican Jazz Concert in the National Theatre of Costa Rica

We relaxed on the weekend at Volcano Arenal

Jonathan: I felt really comfortable about traveling to Costa Rica because I've had extensive abroad experience in Germany, Israel, Mexico, Italy, and Tanzania. However, this was the first time that I would be immersed in a culture and stay with a family that doesn't speak English very well.

Alex: Leading up to my trip to Costa Rica, I was excited for the opportunity to develop my communication skills by speaking and working with people from a completely different culture and with a foreign language.

We learned how to cook a traditional Costa Rican empanada - a culinary treat!
 

Take Away Point: Even though we've taken Spanish courses in school, the courses don't compare to immersing in a foreign country and having to speak another language to order food, give directions to a taxi driver, and speak with your host family. We've enjoyed getting to know the Costa Ricans as friendly and hospitable people, and we are tremendously thankful for the opportunity to spend three weeks in such a beautiful country.