2009 Junior Summer Program Abroad - Costa Rica
Introduction
Cultural Embrace's teen summer program in Costa Rica is designed to prepare participants to develop the necessary skills to operate comfortably in Spanish and in an international setting. This summer camp offers a unique combination of educational experiences and fun activities that helps a student develop as a person. The student must be completing grades 9-12 and have at least 1 year of a high school Spanish or equivalent.
The Costa Rica Program allows students to study and travel in the different eco-systems of the country. Students arrive into San José Airport and travel to Heredia (a suburb of San Jose) for first day orientation before heading off to the cloud forest of Monteverde.
Monteverde is located in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest and is the home of canopy zip-line tours, incredible nature walks, and relaxing hot-spring baths. Flamingo Beach, located in the town of Guanacaste along the Pacific Coast, is the final week-long study site. The province of Guanacaste is renowned for its breathtakingly beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear water. Flamingo Beach is a perfect locale for practicing your Spanish in the mornings and swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, and just relaxing on the beach in the afternoon.
Our local partners have developed a program that incorporates the study of Spanish language, environment, ecology, history, politics, economics, cultural, and social aspects of beautiful Costa Rica. Students will study Spanish for 20 hours per week with a group. Participants will be grouped within the same age and language skill level. Safety and good health are our main priority, and adult supervision by an American teacher/chaperone and included throughout the whole program. The week's activities include academic and recreational sessions, as well as a service learning component to the program, in which participants will volunteer for at-need community projects.
Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!
Programs Benefits & Highlights
A Summer in Costa Rica Offers:
- A practical experience learning Spanish through native and professional Costa Rican teachers
- A fun way to experience the Costa Rican culture and traditions with friendly and qualified adult supervision and staff
- An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
- An opportunity to participate in and learn Costa Rican cultural activities (e.g.: language, cooking, crafts)
- Discover Costa Rica with memorable travel experiences and ways to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
- The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
- A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills
Cultural Embrace Offers:
- 20 Hours of Spanish language lessons per week
Daily class schedule typically includes: 4 hours of Spanish classes. - Room & Board
Participants will stay with carefully selected host families. Rooms will be shared with another student that match with your same age, gender, and interests. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will be provided by the family. On weekend excursions, students will be sharing hotel rooms with same-gender/age participants. Special dietary/allergy needs will be met upon request. - Classroom Materials
Study materials for class are provided (textbook/workbook and photocopies of exercises). - Social Activities and Excursions
Social activities and excursions are available. - Travel Insurance: Comprehensive Medical Coverage
Our program includes a comprehensive international traveler's medical coverage. - Arrival Assistance
An airport pick-up and drop-off are included with your program. - Cultural Embrace Kit
Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of traveling abroad. - 24-Hours Full-time Representation & Supervision
Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and Costa Rica prior to, during, and after your placement. - Certificate & Academic Report
Upon completion of the course, you will receive an accredited certificate and academic report if requested.
Program Description
COSTA RICA SAMPLE ITINERARY
| Day 1 | Students will arrive on Saturday at San Jose Int’l Airport. They will then be escorted to a neighboring bed and breakfast hotel for orientation in Costa Rica. |
| Day 2 | On Sunday students visit Cafe Britt for a coffee plantation tour followed by lunch. In the afternoon students will travel to CPI Monteverde for testing and orientation before meeting their host families. |
| Days 3 - 7 | Regular Classes 1-5pm M-F and morning activities. This week's activities include: Trapichi Tour, Hike in Santa Elena Reserve, Latin Cooking Class and a Canopy Tour. |
| Days 8-9 | Saturday river excursion for White Water Rafting. Sunday, say goodbye to your host family and depart for an over-night excursion to Arenal Volcano. Stop by the artisan town of Sarchi, hike around Arenal and spend the evening enjoying the natural hot springs. Stay the night at a magnificent hotel overlooking the national park and enjoy a relaxing mud bath. Travel on Sunday to Flamingo Beach to check into your Bed & Breakfast and have dinner with the group. |
| Days 10-14 | Regular Classes 1-5pm M-F and morning activities. This week's activities include: Free time on Flamingo Beach, Snorkel Cruise, visit to typical Costa Rican town of Santa Cruz and Guaitil Pottery Center, Volunteer Service Project and Surf Lessons at Tamarindo Beach. |
| Day 14 | Enjoy a Fiesta Final with your group and don’t forget to pack your bags and finish buying souvenirs. |
| Day 15 | Students will be transported to the San Jose Airport to catch their flight home. Fly back with wonderful memories of Costa Rica! |
Lessons & Activities
Spanish Class: ( 4hrs.)
Classes emphasize oral communication to enhance Spanish skills. Teachers are rotated to expose the students to various Spanish accents.
Academic Information:
-School: Centro PanAmericano de Idiomas
This language school is used by several U.S. universities such as Texas A&M and University of New Mexico. They have 3 locations in the most pristine yet distinct natural areas of Costa Rica; Monteverde (rainforest), Flamingo (beach), and Heredia (San Jose). Students will attend classes in the afternoon 1-5pm M-F in small intimate classes with no more than 5 students per class broken down by level. The methodology is conversation/grammar based, meaning that instruction includes Spanish grammar but emphasis rests upon student participation.
Homestay Family:
The host families are carefully selected by the housing coordinator at CPI as well as screened by SPI. The families are well experienced in housing foreign students and are committed to help in learning the language, serving you great food, and adopting you into their way of life. Costa Rican families "ticos" as they call themselves are very warm and open people who will treat you like one of their own on your stay. Please keep in mind though that Costa Rica is often characterized as being a little more rustic compared to European or U.S. standards so it is important to keep an open mind and try new things.
2009 Program Fees
Summer 1: June 13 - June 27, 2009
| Duration | Amount |
| 2 Weeks | $2,600 |
*Prices subject to change based on currency exchange rates
**Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion
***Fee includes: 15 hours Spanish lessons, home stay, all meals, airport pick up and drop off, activities and tours, traveler's insurance
How to Apply
1. Obtain the Cultural Classes Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:
(a) Download the forms: Cultural Classes Forms (PDF).
(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be mailed to you within 7-10 days.
(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free) to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.
2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.
3. Submit your completed application packet to:
CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA
Completed packet should include:
- Cultural Classes Program Application
- Signed Cultural Classes Agreement
- Copy of your passport (information page only)
- Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
- US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)
Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free).
