Program Reviews

Our time at Intercultura was absolutely, 100% beyond expectations. We loved studying and experiencing the "pura vida" at their wonderful campuses in Heredia and Samara Beach (literally, right on the beach!).

My family and I had one of the most, I don't know how to describe it... - immersive?- experiences learning Spanish, we lived at the school apartments at the beach because we wanted AC, but in Heredia we did a homestay and that was a highlight. Dona Eliana made us delicious meals, and took time every day to sit and practice with us, on the weekend she took us for a hike up in the mountains with her husband, it was like a whole new world opening up.

My kids travelled, had fun, made great friends they are still in contact with, and also learned a lot of Spanish (to my surprise!) at the teen camps. They had surf lessons, went zip-lining, even learned a little salsa dancing, went horseback riding, and they loved visiting the local fruit markets. Our favorite part was being at what we think is the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica (Samara).

One of the most important things for us was the connection with the staff at Intercultura. They always had a smile for us, like Giovanna and Fabiola in reception, and Estefania who is the manager and has been with the school since she was 19!! Actually almost all of the staff there has been there for many years, that says a lot about the school, and the founding directors are still there too, which was really interesting to hear their stories (one lady is from Costa Rica and the other was born in Switzerland but went to school in the US, they met here and have been partners for over 30 years!) They were always there for us and treated us like people, not clients —it felt like a big family. All the teachers were kind and supportive, and the teen camp has two directors, one at each campus, Holly and Amy, which was extremely important for my wife and me, because we were a bit nervous and really needed to trust the people taking care of your kids. Also a shout-out to Jessenia (Yessenia?), the head camp chaperone, she was literally with the kids or right close by 24/7, and one of her assistant chaperones was Leah, a dual Costa Rican/US citizen who was close enough in age to the teens that she became like an older sister, at least for our kids, they are still in touch and planning to go visit her next summer in Heredia where the city campus is.

This was a very unique experience for me and I made a lot of friends while I was there. The people in the program were of all between 13 and 18, and although the age difference was 5 years, we all got along great and it didn't seem matter. Although I traveled with my family, the teen camp was separate so I had lots of time away from them I loved the independence, but also felt very safe and supported. I have since continued learning Spanish in the US. I have very fond memories of my time in Costa Rica!

My trip to Costa Rica for the purpose of studying at the Intercultura center is one of my most cherished experiences. My Spanish improved drastically, and I was seeing things I'd never seen before on the daily. The countryside, the mountains, the wildlife... It was breathtaking, and one would think that I'd be wanting class to end so that I could keep exploring, but I have to say that the school was my favorite part. I loved the Heredia branch of Intercultura. My teacher was absolutely amazing, and my confidence in speaking Spanish grew each day. I took a cooking class and participated in the weekend trips; it was so nice to have those things lined up for us. I think about Costa Rica often, and I KNOW that I'll be returning..Perhaps even to Heredia to continue my studies.

I spent a week in Samara and a week in Heredia. The school and teachers were all great. The classrooms have electronic white-boards, the number of students in each class is kept small. I was tested when I first arrived and the evaluator put me in the correct level right away. As a school this is a well-run operation where you can easily learn. I studied with students from all over the world.

The campus at Samara is well-kept, right on the beach and the town is small so you can easily walk to shops and nice restaurants. The local beaches are pretty awesome and usually the waves are about right for beginners to learn to surf. The campus in Heredia is a nice oasis in kind of a gritty city. As an older guy I felt relatively safe alone but I would recommend that females keep in pairs or groups. I had to decline offers for drugs twice while just walking around. Just use some street-smarts and don't look for trouble, you should be fine.

I utilized the home-stay program arranged by the school for both weeks. Don't expect luxury, it's not the Four Seasons. It was a great way to be immersed in the culture and learn how people live there. I was greeted warmly and well-fed by both Tica families. I only wish my spanish was better so I could have conversed more.

I went in March and I never saw a drop of rain for two weeks. Samara is quite hot, Heredia is at a higher elevation so is much cooler and plenty windy. If you have never been to Costa Rica I recommend spending time at both to get the beach experience and city experience. Travel from the USA is pretty easy, the San Jose and Liberia airports are modern, clean and have multiple airlines running service.

Taken as a whole this is a worthwhile experience and not particularly expensive. I have recommended it to people I know who are looking for a good way to improve their spanish.

I had the best tima at Intercultura. I made soo many friens, learnt so much spanish and thanks about the country. Even when I wasn't in class anymore I still went there because it really felt like a home to me. I spent time there every day. If I wouldn't have went to Intercultura my trip to Costa Rica wouldn't have been is wonderful as it was. They supported me, they guided me, it really felt like a new home. I want to thank everybody in the Intercultura team once again for everything you do. I hope I'll be able to come back one day and spend more time with you all. I would recommend Intercultura to everybody, I went to Costa Rica all by my self but I never felt alone because of this program.

I am an Emergency Room Registered Nurse from Dallas, TX and I have always had an interest in Spanish. My mom's side of the family is Mexican but I was never taught Spanish growing up, however it was always a strength of mine in high school. Since I love to travel, I decided my freshman year of college that when I graduate nursing school and have no other things holding me down (job, family, etc.), I would go somewhere and participate in a Spanish Immersion Program and become fluent in Spanish all by myself. So I did it. I found Intercultura through a friend and I went.
Not going to lie, I was scared to travel alone being a 22 year old woman, but after this experience I 100% recommend it. Something about traveling alone is liberating and exciting. It also forces you to make friends, which is very important at a place like Intercultura. I now have friends from literally world. I went to dance class almost every day (which I never would have done at home) and LOVED it!! I jumped off of waterfalls, ate fruits I had never heard of, watched a volcano erupt walking to school one morning, visited coffee and chocolate plantations, snorkeled, went to a land of stray dogs and so many other fun things. But the best part is, the entire time I got to practice my Spanish.
When I arrived at Intercultura, I had an intermediate level of comprehension, and a beginner level of speaking. When I left two months later, I had an advanced level of comprehension and an intermediate-advanced level of speaking.
My best advice to future participants is don't take this experience for granted. Even if you're just there for one week. Listen in class, do your homework, talk to your familia tica, practice with the locals, try ALL the food, go to dance class, jump off of waterfalls! And most importantly, don't be too hard on yourself. Learning a new language is not easy. Just the fact that you're trying says enough. Keep practicing and with time, you will get it!
Since coming back, I lost some of my Spanish while I was trying to find a job, but since then I have gotten a lot of practice. About half my patient population is Spanish-speaking only, and I am so thankful for all that I learned in Costa Rica. For future participants, if you don't use it, you lose it. Even if it's just going to a local hispanic supermarket, do it! Any kind of immersion helps. I have also kept in touch with most of my friends that I made at Intercultura and have plans to visit some in the near future.
I dream about going back to Heredia all day every day. My experience in Costa Rica would not have been the same without Intercutura. From my amazing teachers, to my amazing host family, I loved every bit of it. 10/10.

p.s. another useful tip for future participants: bring an umbrella. It rains A LOT. :)

We really enjoyed our weeks at both schools. We ended up staying a bit longer in Heredia so we could take advantage of a long weekend and a trip to Nicaragua, which the school planned. We had a great guide who appreciated doing the fun stuff for a reasonable price. Both schools were great. We were able to move into other classes depending upon our ability and progression. Everyone was very kind and our tica family provided everything we needed- except English!- which was exactly what we needed!! We would definitely do this again.

I attended Intercultura Spanish Language School's Samara Beachfront campus for three weeks in 2016. I was very impressed by the organization of the school and classes, the placement process for new students (a 10-minute chat, in Spanish, with a teacher who assesses at what level and in which class the student should be placed), the teachers' professionalism and the ambiance, which was casual but goal-oriented. I had a working knowledge of Spanish and was placed exactly where I needed to be to further my learning. That said, it is the total immersion that allowed me to gain and develop confidence in my speaking skills. I lodged with a local family where no one spoke any English, which meant that I would either sink or learn to swim - which is just what I did. I now speak Spanish fluently. Going to Intercultura was the best thing I could have done to achieve my goal.

I met soo many amazing people in Sámara, locals and people from abroad! I’m still in contact with them and have already planned next adventures with them. I’m also planning to come back and visit my host family, which was amazing too, and enjoy Costa Rica’s beautiful nature.
What I loved most in Costa Rica (besides the nature) was the people! Everyone was so nice and they just love life!
I learned how to surf in Costa Rica, which was one of the best things of my whole trip! I just loved it!

I have led two student trips to Intercultura's Immersion program in Heredia. Each time the school, coordinators and teachers paid attention to all details in the planning of the trip and then while we were there. I felt comfortable and safe and like a part of the Intercultura family. Teachers tailored classes to what our students needed. Our excursions were fun and cultural. I look forward to going back in the future. My favorite memory has been the people I met both at the school and my host mom. Plus as a teacher, it's been wonderful to see the impact this trip has had on my students. Some said it was their favorite high school experience.