Edu-Culture Immersion

Ten years may have passed since our journey, but the memories remain vivid, highlighting the enduring impact of our 2014 excursion with Educulture to Costa Rica. Embarking on this adventure, we delved deep into the heart of Costa Rican society, immersing ourselves completely. Through the rich tapestry of cultural experiences, we not only honed our Spanish skills but also gained profound insights into the vibrant heritage of this beautiful nation.

Guided by knowledgeable leaders, we ventured into the breathtaking Monteverde Cloud Forest, where we marveled at the awe-inspiring biodiversity that Costa Rica is renowned for. Amongst the lush greenery, we encountered playful monkeys, tranquil sloths, and even caught sight of a rare baby viper, each sighting adding another layer of wonder to our journey.

However, it wasn't just about witnessing the natural wonders; it was about understanding and respecting them. The tour staff provided invaluable guidance, ensuring that we engaged with the wildlife responsibly and safely, instilling in us a deep sense of stewardship for the environment.

Beyond the wilderness, our experiences extended to the vibrant coastal communities where we participated in whale watching excursions, camped under the starlit skies, and immersed ourselves in the warmth and hospitality of the local people. These interactions enriched our understanding of Costa Rican culture, fostering connections that transcended language barriers.

Reflecting on our adventure, it becomes evident that the impact of such immersive experiences extends far beyond the confines of a classroom. They ignite curiosity, foster empathy, and instill a lifelong appreciation for diversity and conservation. Indeed, this program offers an invaluable learning experience—one that every young person should have the opportunity to embrace at least once in their lifetime.

Both of my children have done this program and both had wonderful experiences. My 14-year-old daughter went to San Sebastien last summer and lived with an amazing host family who involved her in all aspects of their lives. My son went through the same program in Granada, Spain the previous summer. He was also 14 at the time. His family was lovely. My son is very into music and got to take Flamenco guitar lessons, which was just incredible! In both cases, the program was flexible with dates, which was very important to us. These have been some of the best experiences of my children’s young lives.

My sixteen-year-old daughter Lauren traveled to San Sebastian, Spain with the Edu-Culture Immersion (ECI) program for two weeks in the summer of 2019. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in a language immersion program for their child. We chose an immersion program instead of a classroom setting as we were concerned that if she were studying with other English-speaking students that her Spanish would not improve significantly.
She had a wonderful experience. We found the whole process – from the initial inquiry to the application to getting her to her host family to be very smooth and well run. Lauren’s availability to travel was limited by other commitments that summer, and Marie Harris from ECI headquarters worked with that schedule to find a time, location and family that fit our plans. And the experience was exactly what we had hoped for and more. ECI placed her with a lovely family that has two girls roughly her age (one was 16 and the other 18), and with a lovely host mom who has an educational background. The family could not have been more welcoming or inclusive. Lauren is a vegan, and she also has some food allergies, so she presented more of a challenge to feed than the average teenager. Her host family embraced her preferences, and they went out of their way to be accommodating. Through her host family sisters, Lauren met many other teenagers her age while she was in Spain, and she was able to fully participate in the regular life of a Spanish teenager, and to learn about Spanish (and Basque!) culture. Her host mother gave her daily Spanish lessons in addition to the immersion. Lauren’s Spanish improved markedly in just the two weeks that she was there, and the experience gave her a new appreciation and confidence for learning the language. The in-country coordinator (Eva Arrospide) met her (along with the host mom) at the Bilbao airport, checked in regularly on Lauren and the host family, and was very helpful and supportive throughout her stay.
San Sebastian is a strikingly beautiful and safe location, with wonderful beaches, architecture and food, and it’s hard to imagine a better place to spend some time learning another language. I can’t say enough positive things about the program; we feel very fortunate to have found it. Lauren is still in touch with her host family, and we expect that this will be a lasting friendship.

My daughter had an extremely successful immersion experience last summer for 2.5 weeks in a small village outside of Gap. Growing up in California, but with a French father, she speaks and understands French, but not fluently. The program overall and her host family, in particular, really provided the opportunity for her to improve her French and get a deeper sense for the culture. They welcomed her warmly into their home and organized outings to local towns and activities. Initially, the adjustment was a bit overwhelming for my daughter (jet lag, new people, constant French, etc), but the local team, Roseline and Geraldine, were amazing in their response and care they provided for her. As a parent, I felt very comfortable that my daughter was in good and caring hands and they connected with her to relieve her stress. Once she got a good night's sleep, she was fully engaged with the family and enjoyed every minute. In fact, when she returned home, after "hello", her comment was "I wish I was back in France".

I am leaving this review as the parent of my 16-year old daughter who participated in this program. This was a great experience: ECI is organized, informative, and thorough. My daughter felt safe, was paired with a wonderful exchange family, and improved her Spanish skills greatly. I would recommend this program highly. My daughter's chaperone met her in the Bilbao airport and transported her directly to her exchange family's doorstep. The family was well-prepared to greet my daughter and make her feel comfortable. All 4 members of the family were kind and helpful. This is a really important part of a student exchange: making sure the student and family are compatible. ECI did a really great job with this!