Question 1

What happens in case of an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Our trip leaders will seek the attention of a health care worker and make decisions along with parent/guardians/emergency contacts back in the US. We will be in touch with parent/guardians/emergency contacts as soon as possible. We will also help the participant initiate the process for claims on the travel/medical insurance policy that was purchased.

Question 2

What if I have a food allergy or dietary restriction?

Accepted Answer

Usually this is not an issue. We have several host families that can accommodate to food allergies and dietary restrictions. Please let your trip coordinator know ahead of time so we can prepare for this accommodation.

Question 3

What if my host family does not work out and I need to switch?

Accepted Answer

If there is an issue with your host family, trip leaders will be very involved and be able to make a quick switch to find a family that is a better match for you.

Question 4

Will I have access to the internet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Year after year more and more host families have Wi-Fi in their homes. Additionally you are able to connect to Wi-Fi at the language school. There are also Internet cafes in the center of town that you can use for a minimal price.

Question 5

What type of preparation should I expect to do before going on this trip?

Accepted Answer

You will be involved in at least 3 virtual pre-departure meetings beginning 1-2 months before your departure. During these meetings you will have a chance to meet the other participants, learn specific trip details and itineraries, start working in groups on your volunteer projects, and a number of other things.

Question 6

What is the weather like in Costa Rica and Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

From about May/June through October/November it is rainy season. The sun may shine in the morning (and it will be humid), but it will certainly rain in the afternoon (but it’s usually not a cold rain). December through April is dry season. It will be sunny, humid, and may rain here and there.

Question 7

What time zone is Costa Rica and Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

October – March Costa Rica is on Central Time. April – September it is on Mountain Time. October – March Ecuador is on Eastern time, April – September Ecuador is on Central Time.

Question 8

How safe are Costa Rica & Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

This is actually the #1 reason we chose to have our Spanish Immersion Programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Costa Rica has a long history of peacefulness and political stability, and it hosts over 1.5 million tourists a year. Tourism is a very large portion of the country’s economy, which means that in general tourists are treated very well. For many years Ecuador has attracted a great deal of international attention and tourism to its Galapagos islands and the interior of the country is stable and peaceful as well. One of the biggest factors contributing to your safety while on Spanish immersion with Common Ground is that you’re traveling with a group, and you have a Common Ground leader with you. We’re there by your side day to day to help you keep your focus on improving your Spanish.

Question 9

Where do we stay while on Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica & Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

The bulk of the time you spend in Costa Rica is in a small town called Santo Domingo de Heredia. This town is about 20 minutes N of the capital city San Jose. The language school where you will walk to every morning is about 600m south of the downtown area on the main road. In Ecuador we stay in host families as well. Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Question 10

What are the host family homes like?

Accepted Answer

You will be staying in a middle-class home setting. You can expect the home and your bedroom to be small. Your bed probably won’t be as comfortable as your bed is here in the US. Most homes have tile floors, no carpet. Most families do not have dish washers nor clothes driers. You may be given a couple different keys for the home: one for the exterior gate off the street, and another for the actual doors to the house.

Question 11

Will my host family speak English?

Accepted Answer

Your host families may speak a little English, particularly if they have school aged children. However, we encourage them to not let you know. The best way for you to continue learning Spanish is to have to use it!

Question 12

Will I have another student from the trip in the same family with me?

Accepted Answer

This depends. In Ecuador you may have another participant from our program staying with you in your host family. Usually in Costa Rica you are paired 1:1 with a host family. When possible we like to limit the number of students to one per family. This increases your opportunities to speak Spanish. If you’re traveling with a sibling we’ll make an effort to place you in neighboring host families so that you’re at least close to each other. If you’re traveling with your spouse for some or all of the time, then yes we can place you in the same family.

Question 13

How are host families chosen?

Accepted Answer

Having a student is a significant boost to our host families’ income. Because there are more families requesting students in the town than we have need for, we are selective in who we employ to host you. The host families that our students stay with are screened for various things:

– Criminal and/or questionable social activity
– Suitability of the living quarters that you will occupy
– General “likeability” and friendliness
– Availability of a family member at the home during the hours you are scheduled to be there
– Age and sex of the family’s children. We would not place a teen girl with a family that has teen boys for example.
– Proximity to the language school

Question 14

Will I be able to go to church?

Accepted Answer

Certainly, there aren’t a ton of different faith options in town, but there is a nice Catholic church in the middle of town with several service times throughout the week, an evangelical church close to the town center center and several other faith worship options in nearby towns.

Question 15

Will I be able to shower every day?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will be able to shower every day. There is no guarantee that your shower will have warm water, but you’ll certainly have access to a shower.

Question 16

Is the water safe to drink?

Accepted Answer

You can drink water from the tap almost anywhere in Costa Rica. In Ecuador you need to drink bottled water. If you’re on our program and we’re headed to a place where water is not safe to drink, we’ll certainly let you know and have you get bottled water.

Question 17

Do you have payment plans?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Most of the time the program cost is spread out over 3 payments. If you need other specific arrangements, we can probably be flexible with you. If you’d like to make just one payment, that’s fine too. Acceptable forms of payment are Visa, Master, Discover, Check and Cash.

Question 18

Will I receive a packing list for my Immersion Program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Shortly after your register, you will receive a list of clothes, personal items, donations you need to begin collecting, and other miscellaneous items to pack as soon as we receive your application.

Question 19

How long does it take for a passport?

Accepted Answer

Typically 60 – 90 days.

Question 20

Will my cell phone work while I’m on Spanish Immersion?

Accepted Answer

Some do, not all. This depends on your service provider and your specific phone, so check with your service provider first. If your specific phone isn’t capable, most service providers have world phone rental options. This isn’t usually the most economical way to call home when you’re in Costa Rica or Ecuador. You can purchase local chips you arrive to the country. We recommend using Skype, What’sApp or FaceTime. If you won’t have a computer with you, your Common Ground trip leader always will and you’re welcome to use our computers to call home.

Question 21

Will we have the opportunity to exchange money?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Of course it’s always a good idea to have a little cash on you in Colones (Costa Rican currency) or USD for Ecuador (Ecuador is on the US dollar), but honestly you don’t need much right away when traveling with a Common Ground Spanish Immersion group. After you get settled into your host family, we’ll make sure you have the opportunity to get local currency right away. We do not recommend exchanging you money at the airport as they generally have unfavorable exchange rates. Credit & Debit cards are accepted throughout the country, and ATM machines are more and more common every year. The ATM is convenient, and usually provides a good exchange rate. It is important to notify your bank that you will be traveling abroad, and you’ll probably want to inquire about any foreign transaction and/or currency fees.

Question 22

What is meant when referring to private in-country transportation in the application form?

Accepted Answer

You will most likely have the same guide and driver for your group the whole time you are on the program with Common Ground, and our destination is further than walking distance. In the mornings we will head to our volunteer site together (either walking or on the private bus). In the afternoons we will leave the outreach work site and head to the language school. During the weekend excursions we will certainly be on the private bus with guide and driver chaperoning our travels.

Question 23

What is the proposed tip amount for guide and driver?

Accepted Answer

A good rule of thumb is $2-$3/day that our driver is shuttling you around, and $3-$5/day that a guide is leading you. They work very hard for you, and we take great pleasure in thanking them generously at the end of our programs.

Question 24

What if my family, spouse or partner wants to join me for part of the program?

Accepted Answer

Many spouses, fiancées, friends and other family members join our groups for a portion of the program. We’re happy to arrange this for you with both your host family, and any private hotel accommodations that you require while on vacation portions of the program. If this is something you’re considering, we just ask that you let us know early on so that we can make appropriate arrangements for you. This is not a last minute decision that you can make, it does require special arrangements, so we ask that you notify us at the time you submit your application.

Question 25

How much extra spending money should I plan on bringing?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not budget enough money for additional expenses. The challenge is that this is a question that depends heavily on your tastes and the specifics of the program you’re applying for. To give you an idea of the typical expenses you may be responsible for: a normal lunch will usually run $7.00-$12.00; dinner runs $10.00 – $15.00. Optional excursions are something you should also plan for, but each program is very different. These excursions really add some amazing experiences to your Spanish Immersion Program. Tips excluded (see tips FAQ question), if you were to not include any additional excursions, and live as frugally as possible for the time you’re there, you should plan on $150 for a 2 week program and $300 for the 4 week program.
The best approach however, is to take a look at the specific itinerary for your program that highlights the expenses you’re responsible for, and begin planning your additional expenses accordingly.

Question 26

Do I need any special immunizations or take any other preventative measures?

Accepted Answer

Of course you need to be current on your standard immunizations before you travel on Spanish immersion. When traveling in Central and South America there is variation risks of Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Hepatitis A and B. We suggest you consult both the CDC website for Costa Rica and CDC website for Ecuador and check with your primary care physician to prepare for your Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica or Ecuador.

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Spanish Immersion Programs in Costa Rica & Ecuador: Learn Spanish & Volunteer

Our mission…

Adult Spanish Immersion Programs

For adults of all ages & stages of life

Adults wanting a Spanish immersion experience guided by expert Spanish instructors and with embedded community service.

Highlights

Dates & length

Family Spanish Immersion Programs

For families with young children & teens

Families wanting a Spanish immersion vacation including host family lodging, language classes, and local volunteer opportunities.

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Dates & length

High School Spanish Immersion Trips

For individual students

High School students who want to improve their Spanish. Similar to a mini study-abroad experience during their spring and summer breaks.

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Dates & length

High School Spanish Class Trips

For schools, classes & teacher-led programs

High School Spanish classes, clubs and groups interested in a Spanish language travel program in addition to adventures and cultural immersion is welcome.

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Dates & length

Medical Spanish Immersion Trips

For healthcare students & professionals in all stages of training & careers

Healthcare professionals wanting a Spanish immersion experience guided by expert Medical Spanish instructors with embedded community health projects.

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Dates & length

Medical Spanish Rotations

For healthcare students that have elective time in the clinical phase of their training

Healthcare students wanting a Spanish immersion rotation with expert Medical Spanish instructors and with embedded community health education projects.

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Dates & length

Study AbroadPrograms

For universities and individual students

Students wanting a short term study abroad program that teaches Spanish for their degree track and future career.

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Dates & length

Teachers Spanish Immersion Programs

For classroom teachers, subject area teachers, administrators & Spanish teachers

Classroom, Secondary teachers & Spanish teachers wanting to improve their Spanish to communicate with their students and families or reach that near native proficiency.

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Dates & length

Online Pre-departure Courses

For all immersion travelers with Common Ground International

How do I prepare for my Spanish Immersion trip with Common Ground International?

HOST FAMILY LODGINGSpanish only

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTSCompleted in Spanish

SPANISH CLASSESTaught by native Spanish speakers

ADVENTURE TRAVEL TO HOTSPOTSin Spanish

Why travel with Common Ground International (CGI)?

You learn more Spanish with Common Ground

Your trip planning and coordination is easier

You arrive to the country more prepared and more ready to learn

You don’t just live in a community, you get integrated

You have confidence that the community work you participate in is ethical, sustainable, and actually needed.

Testimonials

More reasons to travel with Common Ground International

We’re more than Guides

We offer the best language and cultural outcomes

You know where we live

We prepare you before you travel

What about volunteer work on Immersion?

What can you expect from the host family lodging aspect of the trip?

Family Meals

Private Bedroom

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Spanish Immersion Program FAQs

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Medical Spanish
Rotations

Study Abroad
Programs

HOST FAMILY LODGING
Spanish only

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Completed in Spanish

SPANISH CLASSES
Taught by native Spanish speakers

ADVENTURE TRAVEL TO HOTSPOTS
in Spanish