Spanish Language Immersion

Itinerary
DAY 1 (TUESDAY)
Depart the United States for San Jose, Costa Rica. All scheduled flights from Newark and Houston to Costa Rica are non-stop and escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Staff. From here you will head over to the hostel rented out by Rustic Pathways where you will spend the first night meeting new friends from your program. Good luck and enjoy your stay in beautiful Costa Rica!

DAY 2 (WEDNESDAY)
Wake up early for a simple breakfast before heading to Turrialba, a peaceful mountain town with all the quaintness of home yet all the flair of true Costa Rican culture. Upon arriving in Turri (as it is called by the locals) you will meet the director of the Spanish school and complete placement tests to determine your level of Spanish. Afterwards, have lunch and take a walking tour around Turrialba before meeting your new host family. The evening will be spent getting to know your family and practicing conversational Spanish skills.

DAYS 03- 04 (THURSDAY, FRIDAY)
Students will begin the regular morning schedule of breakfast with their families followed by Spanish school from 8:00am - 12:30 pm. The group will reunite for lunch at a local restaurant before setting off for an afternoon activity which will be selected by the Rustic Pathways guides with the weather and group interests in mind. Activities will be chosen from the list below. Over the course of the 2 week Language Immersion program, students are likely to do most of these activities. Around 6:00 PM, head home for dinner and quality time with your host family.

DAY 05 (SATURDAY)
Students will continue with the regular morning schedule of breakfast with their families followed by four hours of classroom instruction. After lunch at a local restaurant, students will visit the local market and stroll through downtown to get more acquainted with local places and culture. Later in the evening, you will get your first dose of Latin dance moves with a local dance teacher. Afterwards, return home to show your new dance moves to your host family.

DAY 06 (SUNDAY)
Spend a day of quality time with your new host family.  Join them on a trip into town, to the local pool, or to watch the local soccer match.  Enjoy this great opportunity to integrate yourself into Costa Rican culture and family life. 

DAY 07-11 (MONDAY-FRIDAY)
After a day out of the classroom return to the Spanish school and continue your regular morning schedule of breakfast with your host family followed by Spanish school from 8:00am - 12:30 pm. The group will reunite for lunch at a local restaurant before setting off for an afternoon activity which will be selected by the Rustic Pathways guides with the weather and group interests in mind. Activities will be chosen from the list below.

DAY 12 (SATURDAY)
After breakfast with your host family, take a break from class and join the group on an exciting rafting adventure.  Students participating in the two-week program now have the opportunity to spend a day cruising down the white-water rapids of the world famous Pacuare River.  Spend the morning on the river, taking in the green scenery, and wonderful canyons.  Then have a delicious lunch with your rafting guides as you share stories from your adventure.

DAY 13 (SUNDAY)
Spend your last Sunday in Turrialba enjoying quality time with your host family.  They may take you to visit a family member, out to their favorite restaurant, or for a nice stroll in town. 

DAY 14 (MONDAY)
After breakfast with your family return to the Spanish school for two more days of classes.  Return to your normal schedule of class from 8:00am - 12:30 pm, followed by an afternoon excursion.  That evening participate in jewelry making class with your peers, and reminisce about your two weeks in Turrialba. 

DAY 15 (TUESDAY)
Students will participate in one last morning of class.  After lunch, students will say goodbye to their new family, friends, and teachers and head back to the Rustic base in San Jose.  Have dinner at the hotel, and prepare for a day of travel.

DAY 16 (WEDNESDAY)
Students will depart for the USA or continue to another Rustic program.

*** SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING GROUP SIZE: Our maximum capacity for this program is 45 students (this number includes Immersion, Ramp, and Intensive students). During the peak summer weeks, we will divide the group in two, and have half of the students do morning classes and afternoon activities, while the other half will do morning activities and afternoon classes. Dividing the group in no way takes away from the students’ experience, it enables us to give students more individual attention in smaller groups.***

*** SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES: This is a sample itinerary and is not set in stone. Not all weeks of this program are exactly the same and we allow our guides to use their discretion when choosing activities for each group. Some factors our guides use when choosing afternoon and all-day long activities for the group are weather, particular group interests, local special events, holidays, and more. Students spending the full two weeks on the Immersion or Intensive programs will have the opportunity to participate in most, but not all, of the activities offered.***
Shorter/Afternoon Activities

1) EXPLORE CATIE – Visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens of CATIE, the largest seed bank in the world and an important tropical agricultural research center which contains in its gardens an example of each of the world’s existing tropical plant species. Throughout this tour students will be able to see, smell, touch, and even taste examples of tropical fruits, plants with medicinal uses, oil-producing plants, ornamental plants, and roots, tubers, and timber trees from the tropical regions of the planet.

2) AQUIARES WATERFALL – Bring your swimsuit because there is a great swimming hole at the base of this beautiful waterfall. You should also bring some comfortable shoes because you will be hiking through picturesque coffee plantations en route to the waterfall.

3) GUAYABO NATIONAL MONUMENT – Grab your camera before you head out to visit the largest and most valuable archeological site in Costa Rica - the Guayabo National Monument. See the stone structures, petroglyphs, functioning aqueducts, and excavated tombs of the inhabitants of more than 3000 years ago!

4) COOKING LESSONS – Throw on your apron and enjoy some cooking lessons from local cooking experts. All of the students will have an opportunity to try their hand at making some local cuisine and receive lessons in Spanish from our cooking instructor. Today’s dinner will be the product of your labor. ¡Buen Provecho!

5) DANCE LESSONS – Local instructors will spend a few hours teaching you how to shake your hips to popular Latin music – the dances you might learn include merengue, salsa, cha-cha-cha and more!

6) TICO HIGH SCHOOL – Visit one of the local high schools where students of various ages go to learn English on the weekend. Students will be guests in these classes and will have a chance to interact and even teach the locals some English!

7) VISIT A “LECHERIA” – Visit a family run milk and cheese farm. Learn traditional Tico methods for making these staples, try your hand at making some cheese or milking a cow, and then sample the product from the farm itself.

8) “EL SERPENTARIO” – Check out the Serpentario, a local snake farm.  Here we will learn about Costa Rica’s reptile populations through Andres, an avid collector and lover of venomous snakes. Learn about and see firsthand the Bushmaster, Fe-De-Lance, Eyelash Viper, and many more of the world’s poisonous snakes. Don’t forget to take a moment to say hello to Andre’s tree frog pets, he’ll even let you hold them!  After learning about these creatures, take a dip in Andre’s pool, enjoy a game of ping pong, or billiards as we spend the afternoon hanging out on this nice property.
9) COFFEE TOUR – Take a tour of a local coffee plantation and see firsthand how the world-famous Costa Rican coffee is grown and processed.  Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or some amazing chocolate covered coffee beans as you learn about the history of coffee in Turrialba.

Longer/All Day Activities

10) FAMILY DAY – Spend an entire day with your Costa Rican homestay family. See what their life is like from morning until evening – cook meals together, listen to latin radio, walk in the park, visit relatives, go to church, and do whatever else your family is doing this day. A great insight into Costa Rican culture and a great time to practice your Spanish!

11) CARTAGO PROVINCE – Travel to Cartago, the ancient capital of Costa Rica. Visit church ruins, the Basilica - shrine of the Virgin of the Angeles, patron saint of Costa Rica and learn about the history of the city. You can also check out the Orosi Valley known for its beautiful coffee farms, hot springs, museums, and colonial churches that have survived countless earthquakes. Enjoy a fresh lunch at a valley restaurant and later visit a private finca where you will enjoy some snacks, do some hiking, or just relax and soak up the stunning scenery. If time and weather permit, you might also be able to hike up the Irazú Volcano – a fun hike with a spectacular view at the summit! Everyone will spend the evening with their families.

Optional Activities (additional cost of $30 - $50)

12) HORSEBACK RIDING - Grab your riding gear and head out to a local finca for a horseback riding tour through fields of coffee and sugar cane, along with great views of the valley below.

13) CANYONING - Those seeking an awesome adventure for a couple of hours will head out to enjoy zip-lining through a rainforest canopy and rappelling down waterfalls in a beautiful canyon near the language school.

14) MOUNTAIN BIKING – Strap on your helmet and get ready for an exhilarating bike ride through the picturesque valleys that surround Turrialba. 

Special Activities for Students Staying 3-4 weeks

15) INTERNSHIP – Become an intern at a local store, restaurant, marketplace, or other location. Use this opportunity to strengthen your understanding of the local culture and economy while building your vocabulary and making new friends.

16) ORPHANAGE – Spend some time volunteering at a local orphanage, tutoring English and playing with the kids.

17) ELDER HOME – Volunteer to spend some time with some of the elder members of the Turrialba Community. This is a great way to practice your Spanish while hearing stories of Costa Rica’s history.

In addition to the general Costa Rica packing list available at http://www.rusticpathways.com/packing_lists/Costa_Rica.html  all students should review the following information specific to the Language programs:

• Sandals such as Tevas or Chacos for whitewater rafting (if you are on the 2 week Immersion or Intensive program)
• Spanish/English dictionary
• Gift for your host family (Optional) -- It is polite to bring a small, inexpensive gift to present to your host family.  Below are a few suggested gifts for host families
• A picture frame for a picture with your new Costa Rican Family
• Picture of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet fish, etc
• Something small and inexpensive which resembles your home state/town such as a college t-shirt, a Boston Red Sox hat, or a picture book.
• Famous foods or treats from your area, like a jar of grandma’s homemade jam.
•  

• IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT YOUR LUGGAGE
• 1. Please try your best to pack light and fit everything into one MEDIUM size duffle bag or a backpack. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT use wheeled bags.
• 2. Do not forget to bring a small backpack that you can use to fit your daily gear would make a great carry on.

3. Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flight from Newark to San Jose takes approximately 5.5 hours.
Direct flight from Houston to San Jose takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – Yes. All flights between Costa Rica and the USA will have a flight leader starting in both Newark and Houston. Return flights to the USA will also have a flight leader as far as Newark and Houston. Flights between Costa Rica, Panama and Peru are NOT escorted by a Rustic Pathways guide. 

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be automatically issued a 90 day tourist visa upon entry into Costa Rica.

4 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through?
4A- During the Language Program students will spend the majority of their time in the Cartago province in the town of Turrialba. Students will stay briefly at a base hotel in the Alajuela province upon arrival in country and departure from Costa Rica. 

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
5A – Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above). You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information.  Yellow fever vaccinations may be required to enter Costa Rica if you have traveled to some international destinations including Peru prior to your trip to Costa Rica. Please check the Center for Disease control website for more information.   

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – On Tuesday afternoon students will depart from the town of Turrialba. They will stay that night in Alajuela at a base hotel. Wednesday morning students will meet with their new group and guides at the same hotel where they stayed and go off to their new program.

7 – How long is the drive from San Jose to this program?
7A—The drive from San Jose to Turrialba is approximately 2 hours depending on weather and other driving conditions.  

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A—Turrialba is a small town located in the valley of the Cartago province. Students should be prepared for a mild climate with warm days in the 70-80s and cooler evenings. Students should also expect daily rain showers. 

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A— Yes!  Students will receive four hours of formal instruction per day from professional Spanish teachers. They will also be staying with Costa Rican host families which will help them practice their conversational Spanish skills as well as give them an insight on Costa Rican culture. 

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A- There are no formal service projects on this program. Students staying for more than 2 weeks on the Language programs may arrange to have an internship at a local school or senior citizens center which may then qualify them to receive service hours on a case by case basis. 
 
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Language programs are appropriate for students of all levels of physical ability.

12- What costs are not included on this trip?
12A—The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy additional souvenirs or snacks and sodas from local convenience stores. They will need spending money to pay for optional activities described below. 

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A- The following activities are optional and come at an additional cost:

• Canyoning (an activity that involves rappelling and zip lining through a canyon)- $68
• Horseback riding - $35 (approximately)
• Mountain biking - $35 (approximately)

Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience and will offer students the opportunity to participate at an additional cost.   Optional or included activities may also be canceled at the staff’s discretion. 

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A—Breakfast and dinner will be prepared and enjoyed with their host families and will generally consist of typical Costa Rican foods including rice, beans, salads, meat dishes and fresh fruit. The group of students and guides will typically eat lunch together at local restaurants in Turrialba.   

15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. There will be ample access to fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and grains for those who are vegetarian. Vegan diets can be accommodated, but with a little more foresight and planning as this is not a diet commonly encountered in Costa Rica. Please know that while we are happy to accommodate alternative diets, many of the special diets common in the United States are not common in other parts of the world and travelers must be patient and understanding in having these needs be met.  Please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—Tap water in Costa Rica is potable and students should feel comfortable drinking water in Turrialba unless otherwise advised. Bottled water is also available for purchase at local supermarkets and grocery stores.

17 - What will the accommodations on this trip be like?
17A— Students will be staying with host families in typical Costa Rican homes. Two or more students of the same gender will stay with each family. From years of experience these home stay families have long been a favorite of our students.

18.  What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- All host families have appropriate bathroom facilities available to the students. The number of bathrooms per household varies by family. All have running water, American style toilets and showers, although hot water may not always be available. 

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – There are typically more girls than boys however the exact numbers vary from week to week.

20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
20A- Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 5 students. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check.

21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
21A-   Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have guides that are certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.

22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
22A—Students should pack enough clothes and personal items to last through for one week at the language program. Host families will do laundry of students staying for more than one week in Turrialba cost of $3 - $8 depending on load.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have access to internet during the program due to the various internet cafes in the town of Turrialba. Students can purchase international calling cards in Costa Rica which can be used to call the United States from public phones in Turrialba.