High School Spanish Immersion
High School Spanish Immersion Programs in Costa Rica
Host Family
|
Community Service
|
Spanish Classes
|
Adventure Travel
|
Program Description:
Our High School Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica is specifically designed to improve your Spanish skills, help you gain cultural understanding, earn at least 20 community service hours, and experience the beauty of Costa Rica. The four major components of this experience are: Spanish classes, lodging with host families, community service, and adventure travel.
15-Day High School Spanish Immersion Program* (Travel Dates: June 21 – July 5, 2012):
- 14 days in country
- 5 days of language school and community service projects
- 10 nights with host family
- 3 days at Manuel Antonio National Park and beach
- 3 days at active Volcán Arenal
- Salsa, Merengue, & cooking classes
- Zipline Canopy tour
- Optional Waterfall Rappel
30-Day High School Spanish Immersion Program* (Travel Dates: June 21 – July 19, 2012):
- The full 2-week Spanish Immersion program plus the following:
- 10 more nights with your host family
- Attend 30 more hrs of Spanish classes
- Provide approximately 25 – 30 more hrs of Community Service projects with your Costa Rican High School friends
- Live and work at a rural chocolate farm for 4 days
- Interview a Costa Rican professional who works in a career you’re interested in
*2 week program is $3,200, 4 week program is $4,500. Pricing includes flights, most meals, and all expenses related to lodging, language school, in-country transportation, and included activities. A detailed list of optional activities will be provided to you at our pre-departure meeting. We would be happy to supply you with a rough estimate of additional spending money for the 2 and 4 week programs. We are currently in late registration for our summer 2012 high school Spanish immersion programs. Additional charges may apply if flight costs have have increased since reservations were made in mid-February. Any surcharge will only apply if additional costs are incurred.
Program Video:
High School Immersion Program FAQs
High School Spanish Immersion FAQs
We have a maximum number of around 24 students at any one time on the summer immersion program with us.
Common Ground has 2-3 staff members who chaperone the high school groups at all times. When our group size nears 20+ students, we typically add a teacher from a school that has students traveling with us to help with the larger numbers. Usually there are more female than male chaperones.
Absolutely. Just let us know what your situation is, and we’ll make sure we get you the appropriate credits for the flight portion of the trip.
Yes and no. Most High Schools are not offering actual high school credit for the time you spend in Costa Rica. However, some school will allow you to take an exam after you return and potentially test out of a year’s worth of Spanish classes. This is particularly an option for those students on the 4 week summer immersion program. One thing you can certainly apply to your school and club requirements is the amount of time you spend in community service projects. Students are regularly earning between 20 and 60 community service hours for the 2 and 4 week programs respectively. Additionally, if you are an IB student, you may be able to earn up to 75 CAS hours toward your graduation requirements.
Of course your length of stay can be adjusted. We would be happy to work out a custom itinerary with you; just give us a call! (303) 684-5557
Not a problem at all. Usually it’s a good idea to plan a family vacation directly after your student finishes their immersion program so that they’re able to show you around a little. We just need to know your plans as you’re submitting your student’s application, and we’ll make sure that appropriate arrangements are made. We’re happy to help you with travel suggestions as well if you’d like some ideas about nice places to spend some time with you family in Costa Rica.
Yes, every year we help students who are interested raise funds for the summer immersion program. Some students raise as much as $1,400.00 toward the cost of their program. We’ll give you both individual and group fundraising ideas to work on between your application date and travel date.
Of course, we’d be happy to. If you would like to look into scheduling a classroom presentation at your school, just put us in contact with your Spanish teacher or your Foreign/World Languages department head and we’ll see if we can get something on the schedule. Contact us
- Absolutely, give us a call and we’d be happy to supply the names of a few families who have agreed to be in touch with future families considering the program. (303) 684-5557
