Monteverde

Program Outline

The Standard 4-hour Program is mostly given in the morning from 8am to 12pm, but during the high season classes can also be in the afternoon from 1pm to 5pm. The Intensive 5.5 hour Program is the standard 4 hours in the morning with an additional 1½ hours of group instruction in the afternoon from 1pm to 2:30pm. Course texts and materials are included and the maximum class size is 4 students.

Homestay

Included in the homestay option, students receive 2 meals a day; breakfast and dinner are with the host family. Laundry service is provided once a week by the host family. Most host families are located in Santa Elena and are not within walking distance from the school so daily pickup and drop-off service is supplied.

Cultural

Field trips, attending events or concerts, dance lessons, cooking lessons and gymnasium can all be arranged through the school. Conferences & debates on topics of interest are offered, for example; Women's issues in Central America, ecological problems and investments.

Location

Monteverde is situated in the most famous cloud forest in Central America. The region is renowned for its commitment to the conservation of the environment. The school is located in Monteverde near the private preserve of the same name. It is at an altitude of 5600 ft and is cool year-round, even during the summer dry season.

Local Color

Students studying in Monteverde who wish to volunteer can at any of the numerous private nature preserves in the area. Volunteer opportunities can be set up once the student is at the school for a one time fee of $50.

Hot Tip

The butterfly farm and hummingbird garden are a great place to take pictures. You can get right up to the hummingbirds as they feed and many of the hundreds of different types of butterflies are very colorful.

Start Dates

Every Monday of the year except on Costa Rican national holidays. On the following dates there will be no classes; Jan. 1st, April 5th & 6th, May 1st, July 25th, August 15th and the last two weeks of the year. No refund is given for classes missed on account of holidays.

Main points about the Monteverde campus:

• Monteverde offers the student the possibility of studying in a tropical cloud forest.
• 5½ hour course is a very comprehensive and intense course, perfect for those with only a short time to spend.
• Monteverde is a very safe area with little or no crime.
• A nice new school complex with plenty of space and classrooms.
• Medium sized school with up to 70 students possible at one time.
• Monteverde is perfect for students looking for volunteer activities.
• Small classes, four-student maximum.