Intercultura: Spanish Small Group Classes

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 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.

Great school. Classes were interesting and challenging. Lots of variety in methods of teaching. Lots of social things to do during the day- tours/picnic/dance lessons/yoga on the beach/cooking classes. would be nice if this school and others schools would have evening activities. Sometimes homestay can feel somewhat isolating. A welcome dinner would be nice the first night. Also, for students coming on the weekend, there is no one at the school and if you get there too late to go on weekend tour, you are basically in the town not knowing any other students or what there is to do. Would have been nice to be able to contact other students prior to arrival. Should have day trips on weekends. They do have weekend trips, but they are expensive and you have to be there by Friday morning to go on them. If you get there Friday night or Saturday, you are on your own for activities.
I feel much more confident in all aspects of my life, having travelled alone and been in a foreign country speaking a foreign language. You have to be alert and pay attention and that is so stimulating!
My favorite memory is all the new friends from all walks of life. Still keep in touch!

I was 38 yrs old when I had the good fortune of joining InterCultura in Costa Rica in January of 2016 as a complete beginner student. The school is clean and organized and the staff and hosts were warm and patient with my lack of Spanish. Classes were challenging and effective - I learned quickly - and professors were direct, kind, fun, and encouraging. My first housing match was adequate with a beautiful location. Though after three weeks, was clear it was not ultimately a good fit (noise, bugs, more well suited to younger students, etc.). School managers were understanding and open to relocating me to a calmer host-home environment. Most importantly, this change of location proved to me critical for me as during my fourth week I received very sad and tragic news of the unexpected death of a family member. The home-host, school staff, and my student peers supported me with equal amounts of love, respect and professionalism as experienced the initial shock of deep loss in a forgein country. The InterCultura community helped me communicate with family, airlines and arranged my ride to the airport so I could be back in the US as soon as possible (with in 24-hrs) to be with my family. I will forever remember the kindness, joy, and openness of the Tico/school families I met, the beauty of the location, the excitement and challenge of learning Spanish, and I hope to return one day to continue to develop my Spanish language skills and cultural appreciation. I highly recommend this school.

Best experience of my life. Great people, great staff. Best locaton samara is the most beautiful place i’ve ever been. I just fell in love with Samara and Costa Rica. The best place to learn spanish. I ve started with almost no spanish skills and after 6 weeks i was able to have some conversations. after a few weeks of travelling and home coming to samara for 4 more weeks I realt felt like at home. And almost like a Tica! The surf school is an important extra.

I had so much fun on this trip and it’s probably one of the best experience of my life! I would totaly do it again. I learned spanish quickly, the building is nice and has good installations. The location is perfect. I was in Samara and it’s nice for people who like small towns. The classes are interactive and fun. You also learn in small group, witch is nice to meet new people and to make friends! You learn a lot in class and at the end of the course, you will really feel like your spanish is better than before and you will feel way more confident.