Comunicare: Linguistic, Cultural and Community Service Center

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
San Pedro Montes de Oca

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All the year

Description: Comunicare offers several Spanish Immersion Programs. Groups from Universities and High Schools are offered specific programs designed for their age-range. Medical, tourist, and individual applicants are all offered immersion programs especially designed for them.

The Spanish courses are organized into groups of five - six students and include socio/cultural elements. Comunicare also offers Spanish and Central American Studies that include Women and Environmental courses or seminars. These are three-week or four-week courses, which allow the students to immerse themselves in the Spanish language, history, and culture in addition to living with a family and volunteering in the community.

Comunicare offers three Spanish and Cultural Immersion Programs:

1. Study and Share Program. (February, March, April, May)
An interactive program that offers High School students an opportunity to come to Costa Rica, immerse themselves in a Spanish speaking culture, share experiences and get to know the people.

2. The Flexible Study Program. (All the year, a minimum of 8 students required))
This Program provides students with theoretical and methodological tools necessary for the learning process of speaking and writing the Spanish language, using an conversational dynamic method.
The Program includes: Spanish lessons 20 hours per week and 80 hours per month, Living with a Costa Rican family, Two-way transportation to the Airport, Materials, Option of Volunteer Work, Visits to the cities of San Jose and Cartago (Central Market, Museums, Historical Locations, Handicrafts Shop), Option of cultural trip (Biological Reserve, Forest Reserve, National Park, Rural Community).

3. Central American Reality Program. (May, June, October, November)
This Program gives information on Central American social, political, economic and cultural development including topics on women and environmental issues through courses, lectures, seminars and discussions, providing students with a foundation for the understanding and evaluation of the current situation.
As a complement of the lectures field trips are scheduled, to visit the rain forest, indigenous reserves and the countryside areas dedicated to production and export of traditional and non-traditional crops.
The learning of the Spanish language is also included with lessons given throughout the Program. Beginners, intermediate and advanced students can be accommodated.
University students who are interested in the language, history and culture of Central America may apply for this Program.

Highlights: The programs, has been carefully structured to share with the students the necessary instruments in order to understand and learn the Spanish language quickly and easily.

The center is conveniently located in San Pedro Montes de Oca, a ten-minute walk from the University of Costa Rica and seven-minute bus ride to downtown San Jose. The proximity of a University campus to the quiet, residential area where the Center is located is a significant advantage for students; universities, cafes, libraries, restaurants and bookstores are close at hand.

Cost in US$: The $100 enrollment deposit is non-refundable.

Experience Required: yes

The students should send a profile of their educational and working experience.

Typical Volunteer: The volunteer program offers an excellent opportunity for the students to interact with the Costa Rican children and/or teenagers, understand the limitations and benefits of the Costa Rican public schools and provide a service to the Costa Rican community.

Age Range: 17-70

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4-6 students

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Comunicare Linguistic, Cultural and Community Service Center's Mission Statement: Comunicare is a non-profit association dedicated to teaching Spanish as a second language, to fostering a deeper understanding of Central America and to supporting community development and volunteer work.

Year Founded: 1994