Arenal (La Fortuna)

Program Outline

The Standard 4-hour Language Program is four complete hours of language a day. Class hours are from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Classes are no larger than four students. All materials are included. Each week all students will also have the option of participating in three different afternoon activities: Latin Dance Class, Cooking Classes and one half-day excursion. The Intensive 4-hour + 8 hrs Private has the same group schedule in the morning, followed by 2 hours of private lessons every afternoon except Tuesday, for a total of 28 class hours a week.

We offer a comprehensive Medical Spanish Program, as well as the only Nursing Spanish Program in Latin America accredited for Nursing CEU’s from the state of California. In the Medical Spanish program doctors and medical students are instructed two afternoons a week by our in house physician in medical terminology, patient interviews and clinical procedures. Two other afternoons each week, they go to local clinics and shadow local physicians. The Nursing Spanish Program is set up the exact same way, but it taught by a nursing professional. The Children’s Spanish is a four hour program that combines in class lessons with out of class field trips and games. This program follows the same class hours as the adult program, but is designed with children in mind. Private lessons are available with a minimum of 10 hours required each week. We also have a great deal of volunteer options available. A full description of all options is available at your request.

For added value, there is The Deluxe Adventure Program with can be added to any of the above Spanish programs. For an additional $100/week students received the following: Airport pickup in San Jose, transportation to La Fortuna, daily internet access and Saturday daylong adventure tour. Every weekend, students will experience a different full day excursion. A full description of Saturday tours is available upon request.

Lodging

Homestays are with local Costa Rican families in the town of Fortuna. Every student will have a private room with a bathroom that they share, although some houses do have private baths. Weekly laundry service is provided along with two meals a day, breakfast and dinner and all homestays are within a 15-minute walk from the school. The families are of middle income and usually professionals. Many have children and all can accommodate students with special dietary needs, such as vegetarians.

Cultural

Each week all students can participate in the afternoon activities, Dance and Cooking classes, as well as afternoon excursions to the surrounding area. There are also many different volunteer options that help students become better acquainted with the local community and culture. A full list and schedule is available.

Locations

The Arenal region of Costa Rica is famous for the Volcano of the same name. The school is located in the town of Fortuna, which has a stunning view of the volcano. Arenal is one of the most popular destinations in the country and not only because of the volcano. The lake nearby is the largest in Costa Rica with fishing and windsurfing. There are numerous hot springs, national and private preserves and a great deal of adventure activities. The Monteverde Cloud forest is only a 4 hour horseback tour away from Fortuna. The town has a population of approximately 7000 people and is a central location for all travel and commerce in the region.

Local Color

In Arenal/Fortuna the event that draws most tourists to the area is the hope of seeing the volcano’s nightly eruptions. On a clear night the show of hot molten lava and rocks is truly spectacular, with rivers of bright red and orange magma easing its way down from the cone.

Hot Tip

The Tabacon Hot Springs Resort is one of the most beautiful in all Central America. There are streams, pools, waterfalls of all different temperatures, surrounded by lush vegetation with great views of Arenal Volcano. This is a must see if you are in the area and they have a first class buffet.

Start Dates

Every Monday of the year except on Costa Rican National Holidays. In the case of Monday holidays, classes will begin on the following Tuesday. The following Costa Rica Holidays are observed by the school; January 1st, April 11th, May 1st, July 25th, August 15th, September 15th and December 25th. The school is open on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. There are no refunds for missed days because of holidays.

Main points about the Aernal and La Fortuna campus:

• Small intensive group classes of no more than 4 students.
• Arenal Volcano is one of the top three sightseeing destinations in Costa Rica.
• Great afternoon and weekend activities such as Dance and cooking classes, rafting, kayaking and mountain biking.
• Lake Arenal is one of the best windsurfing spots in the entire world and is the largest lake in the country.
• A great Adventure program from mountain biking, zip lining, river rafting, hot springs to overnights in the jungle.
• Undergraduate college units and graduate level credits available
• The Intensive group 4 + Private is a great combination of groups classes and individual tutoring. Students wanting college credit can use this program to get their required hours done more quickly.
• Extra benefits for those on the Deluxe program include airport pick up assistance and daily internet access.
• Very comprehensive Medical Spanish program, combining in class curriculum with clinical visits.
• The only Nursing Program in Latin America accredited by the state of California for continuing ed credits.
• Extremely safe area, perfect for families and those traveling on their own.
• Small school so it is very flexible and willing to set up special programs or group packages.