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?

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.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday & Sunday
Return from Optional Excursion	Tropical Ecology	Tropical Ecology	Tropical Ecology	Tropical Ecology	Included and optional weekend excursions such as:
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	– La Iguana Chocolate – Tortuguero – Volcan Arenal

Tropical Ecology Spanish Immersion Program | Biology and Conservation in Costa Rica

Become more fluent in Spanish and gain a deeper understanding of Latin American Culture

A life changing experience – earn college credit, as you live and travel throughout Costa Rica

Analyze theories for the origin and maintenance of biodiversity in the tropics.

Identify major threats to biodiversity; design and propose strategies for mitigating biodiversity loss.

Evaluate the processes of micro and macroevolution and assess their roles in generating biodiversity in the tropics.

Apply succession theory to understand how tropical communities change over time

Small Group Conversational Spanish classes

Lodging with a local host family

La Iguana Chocolate

Tropical Ecology

Why travel with Common Ground International?

You’re not alone

We prepare you before you travel

You know where we live

We offer the best language and cultural outcomes

You can’t take a course like this in the US

Tropical Ecology Immersion Program Details

BIOLOGY and CONSERVATION SPANISH IMMERSION in Costa rica

2025 DATES

3-Week Programs

General Program Itinerary:

Next steps

Earn Spanish and Science College Credits while you travel!

Diversity and Inclusivity on Spanish Immersion

Spanish Immersion Program FAQs

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