STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA FOR GROUPS
High-schools, Colleges & Universities, and Special-Interest Groups
Intercultura Costa Rica offers a unique opportunity for groups that are looking for an authentic, Spanish-speaking immersion experience. At Intercultura, your students will dive into Costa Rican culture; improve their Spanish-language ability; and gain invaluable cross-cultural communication skills as they engage with the local community. Our Spanish immersion school has been hosting travel groups of university students, professionals, retirees, and young learners since 1993.
Our programs go beyond the typical language school experience, including off-the-beaten-path excursions, service learning and socio-cultural content:
We aim to cultivate a sense of social responsibility and global citizenship, empowering students to implement positive change as they learn to respectfully navigate and understand Costa Rica’s diverse cultural and linguistic heritage.
Institutions that have chosen to send students to us for their accredited Costa Rica Spanish immersion program include:
HIGHER EDUCATION & ADULT GROUPS: University of Washington, Duke University, Texas Women’s University, Austin College, UNC, ACIS, West Point Military Academy, Organization for Tropical Studies, Collège de Maisonneuve, Flagler University, Lindenwood, Waiuku College, Wartburg College, South Dakota State University, Colombia Bible College, University of West Georgia, University of Cincinnati / Blue Ash, Wingate University, McLennan Community College, Missouri Western, UCONN, Shippensburg University, University School of Milwaukee,
HIGH-SCHOOL & TEEN GROUPS: St. Catherine’s Montessori, Gerald Godin College, Notre Dame San Jose, Cross Cultural Adventures, Pinkerton, St.Croix Lutheran, Jacksonville Episcopal, EB Portugal,
OTHER: 50+, service-learning, Spanish for teachers, LGBTQI, professional interning, mission and more.
We respect and actively encourage diversity in our student body, a diversity that is reflected in our staff, students, and our vision for the school.
Florida School Group Feedback
“This program is absolutely excellent. It surpassed my expectations…The “Tica” moms were wonderful. Communication with the host moms was more than I could have asked for. You really have developed an incredible program for high school students to partake not only in Spanish classes, but also volunteer opportunities as well as a number of cultural experiences. Kudos to you all! Thank you!”
Rebecca Howes, August 2023
Iowa University Group Feedback
“Both the students and the two professors agree that the experience provided by Intercultura was excellent in all areas: academic, cultural, family, etc. The staff and faculty are available at all times to facilitate the experience for all of us. In addition, correspondence and bureaucratic paperwork during pre-arrival program planning is fast, frequent and efficient.
Thank you so much for everything.”
Marta Ramírez Martínez, group leader, July 2023
CUSTOMIZED SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR YOUR GROUP
Our tailored programs include free or discounted Spanish classes for the group leader, depending on group size.
Groups can be made up of any membership you choose, for example: clubs (Rotary, Lion’s etc), church groups, universities and schools, military academies, research or social groups (gender studies, environment & development issues, LGBTQI, anthropology, literature), and other. Itineraries will include classroom time, lodging if desired, and a customized selection of tours and activities depending on your group's interests.
Thinking about sending a group to Costa Rica for Spanish Immersion Program? Contact us!
FEEDBACK FROM FORMER TRAVEL GROUPS
DUKE UNIVESRITY AND KENAN-FLAGLER BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNC CHAPEL HILL (studied at Heredia city campus):
“… I have taken my MBA, EMBA, and BSBA students in different occasions to Intercultura in Heredia and have only positive things to comment about their school, personnel and programs. My students have thought that the instructors at Intercultura have been wonderful and patient, something they have admired. Adelita and her staff are always available and very helpful when it comes to anything needed…Adelita is always the watchful eye to know that everything with my group runs smoothly. The personnel in the reception area are very nice, patient and friendly. The Director of the Spanish courses, Marcelo, who is in charge of the professors is very qualified, efficient, and with great disposition to help. The person in charge of homestays is always checking to know that things are running well with the families…you are in very good hands with the Intercultura personnel and programs. Professor María Elena Rodríguez, Director of Working Languages
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, USA (studied at beach & city campuses):
"In the few weeks of classes between Heredia and Samara, I learned more than I could have imagined about Spanish culture. The background provided and the strong organization was extremely helpful to understand how the class would run. The professors were fantastic and open to questions." Madison Haynosch, Student
ROTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, Norwalk, CT
I must say that the Intercultura Schools are really amazing. When I first approached the possibility of taking 8th graders to Costa Rica for a [Spanish &] homestay program I was quite concerned that the quality of the whole experience would be safe, sound and well run. I must say that the school in Heredia not only met my expectations, but surpassed them by a mile. The staff at Intercultura is professional and qualified beyond belief. I have been a teacher for 33 years and their strategies and approach to language learning taught me things that I was able to bring back to my classes. As for my students, they benefited beyond words. The management of the schools is very efficient and clear. They stick to itinerary schedules on the dot and provide everything and more than they promise. I never took students to Intercultura Samara ...I went there myself however with 3 other teachers during our February vacation 2010 and found the same professionalism, enthusiasm for teaching and efficiency.. along with scenery that forever will linger in my mind...[It is] a wonderful school in a wonderful country."
Lynn Belardo, teacher and group leader.
HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL, Chesapeake, VA (studied at Sámara Beach campus)
"Our trip to Costa Rica was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and in the lives of the students I led. The town of Samara opened their homes and their hearts to us. We really got to experience the best that Costa Rica has to offer. The excursions were top notch and the food exquisite. Our coordinator, Lucie, was amazing. She went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. She was flexible with our schedule and was willing to move things around to accommodate us. The classes and teachers were phenomenal. Not only were we able to learn a lot about the language, but we also learned a lot about the culture and history. The teachers made the hours in the classroom fly by with endless conversation and fun learning tactics. I would truly recommend this wonderful language program. I certainly praise the people involved with the school and its purpose."
Lesley Sarver, Group Leader
WARTBURG COLLEGE, Iowa, USA (studied at Heredia city campus):
"Sydney, Laura and Johannah: Thank you all for being gracious and dedicated professionals who made the MWSU trip to Costa Rica a success…We were very impressed with you and Intercultura. I hope that MWSU students in the future will have the opportunity to study in Costa Rick though Intercultura. Thanks again!" Gordon, Dean & Executive Director
SOUTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY, School of American & Global Studies
“I’ve worked with Intercultura in the past and was very happy with everything from classes to homestays to accommodations to support to tours…My favorite part of the program was just helping the students to experience the culture of Costa Rica, as this was my first time leading a study abroad program. Some favorite activities, that students also seemed to enjoy were dance class & Típico Latino in Heredia, and also surfing in Sámara…We had a great experience! All of the staff were very organized and helpful. Annia in Heredia went above and beyond to help us with anything. Virginia in Sámara was also super organized, compassionate toward the students when they were having a bad day, and very patient with me and our group. “ José (Pepe) Álvarez, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
Ashlee Ausherman, Group School Leader, Chambersburg, PA
"Our group had an awesome time!! The students did not want to go home and swore they would come back to Samara. They loved the cultural experience and the classes. They learned so much new vocabulary and had such a great time on the kayaking trip, the zip line excursion, and surfing. They made great "Tico" friends and memories that will last a lifetime. The crew at Intercultura were wonderful and welcoming. As a teacher I would go back there just for the ease of the trip because of how they made it so accommodating. Back at school students were buzzing about the trip. It was so popular that we are planning on going again every year."
PINKERTON ACADEMY, New Hampshire, USA (studied at Heredia city campus):
"The school in Heredia was absolutely wonderful. My teacher Samuel was fantastic, probably the best teacher I have ever had. I wish all my classes at Pinkerton, especially the Spanish ones, were taught the way his classroom was structured. My Spanish improved, my speaking ability and confidence increased drastically and I could not be more appreciative. Being in Samuel's class was a highlight of the trip, a highlight of my life." Maria S., student
"Made me realize I want to continue to see the world for the rest of my life." Emma G., student
" more than anything this program gave me a love of the Spanish language that I had not had before. I became much more confidant in my current abilities as well as my confidence in what I will be able to learn in the future. Along with that it made me independent and responsible for taking care of my own things because my parents were not there to make sure that I had everything together or sunblock on so I had to do that myself. Probably best of all, I met the most amazing people on this trip and I cannot imagine having a better group of people to have traveled and stayed with. I feel connected to all of them and even if we don't see each other every day anymore and we don't have the same opportunities to be together and have fun I will always miss my friends from Costa Rica." Caelin Mc., student
"This was my first out of country experience, I have learned a lot not just of Spanish and of a different culture, but of myself and what I can accomplish just by putting my mind to it. A close friend had said I was happier after the trip, I feel much more comfortable conversing with others in Spanish (and English) and this has only made me want to pursue environmental science (for college) more than ever before especially after seeing the different types of environments one place can have and the beauty that is found in Costa Rica." Michelle D., student
FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE:
“I was very impressed with the school, the facilities and everyone’s professionalism. Lindsay was beyond wonderful to work with, she was able to handle and organize anything we threw at her without blinking an eye…I look forward to working with Intercultura again in the future.”
Leah Cáceres Lutzow, Department Chair Global Studies, Spanish, & Bilingual Medical Interpretation, Fox Valley Technical College