ISV is pleased to provide participants with a wonderful opportunity to extend and enhance their experience in Costa Rica with Spanish language and Latin dance lessons while living with a local host family.

Who is this for?
This opportunity is optional and is open to all ISV participants traveling to Costa Rica in 2008 regardless of their Spanish language skills. Beginner, intermediate and advanced Spanish language lessons are available.

Why should I participate?
This is an invaluable opportunity for participants to develop and/or improve their Spanish language skills prior to beginning their ISV Volunteer Project, and includes an exciting introduction to Costa Rican culture.

What is included?
Participants who choose to take advantage of this option will fly into San Jose, Costa Rica on Sunday, five days before their ISV Program begins and experience:

• 5 days and 5 nights living with a Costa Rican host family, including two meals a day in their home
• 20 hours of Spanish language lessons for all levels
• 7.5 hours of local Latin dance lessons
• An authentic Costa Rican cooking lesson

Spanish Lesson Participants will be met at the San Jose airport by their host family and taken to their home in the area of Heredia (a suburb of the capital city of San Jose). Participants will be responsible for arranging transportation to the Hotel America in central Heredia on Friday afternoon for the ISV Orientation meeting (note: the Language School is only four blocks from Hotel America). All ISV participants will stay at Hotel America on Friday night and depart for their volunteer projects on Saturday morning.

What is the cost?
The cost for this option is $370.00CAD.

How do I sign up?
Complete the ISV “Flight/Options Form" and indicate the Spanish Lessons Option preference. Submit this form with all applicable non-refundable deposits ($100.00CAD Flight Deposit plus $100.00CAD Spanish Lesson Deposit). The balance will be due with all other program costs on or before 65 days prior to departure.

What if I am arranging my own flight?
Participants arranging their own flight must arrive on or before the ISV Group Flight (see “ISV Group Flight Details” page for specific arrival and departure times.)

TESTIMONIALS OF PAST PARTICIPANTS:

"It was definitely a valuable week for me to get accustomed to Costa Rica and practice my Spanish. I recommend it!"
Christina Keaton

“I loved my family and I learned more in one week than in two years of Spanish at home.” Katrina Hamilton

"Learning another language and culture is always fascinating to me; the classes were small and fun. The best part about the experience was my host family and how much they helped me with the language."
Monique Rydel

"The Spanish lesson (option) was a great way to start the ISV program. It introduced us to the culture and I’ve made great friends that I couldn’t have if not doing the lessons"
Kari Lynn Brock