PROGRAM OVERVIEW - SPANISH FOR TEENAGERS >> Open to teenagers ages 13 - 17 years of age (for all language levels) >> Live with a Host Family including meals >> Chaperone service >> Combination of Spanish language course, cultural & outdoor activities >> Program length 2,3,4 weeks - June, July, August & September >> Study with international students of the same age >> This program provides an adult chaperone for the students between the host family and the school grounds as well as accompanying the student from the school to the program activities, every day. This program provides the opportunity for parents or guardians to study Spanish in the San Jose adult program at the same time as their child participates in the teen program just outside the city, near Heredia. PROGRAM INCLUDES: Spanish lessons & materials - Host Family accommodation (with curfew and strict rules for under 16 years of age) - airport transfers - bilingual guides and counselors - full program of activities & tours - insurance. NOTE: enrollment numbers are limited so please sign up early to ensure space in this program.

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Spend your summer in Heredia just outside of San Jose in the center of Costa Rica, enjoy a full schedule of sports, leisure, cultural activities and excursions ....

The capital, San José has a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture. The streets are narrow and busy and the liveliest place in the city can be found at the Plaza de la Cultural, the city's hub, where musicians, artists, and street vendors work the crowds.

It also has several excellent museums, some great restaurants, colorful markets and a fine climate. Mercado Central is the best market for bargains; it has a range of goods including lots of local leather work, and some of the cheapest meals in town.

San Jose is the best place to meet the local people ("the ticos", as native Costa Ricans are called), they are famous for their generosity and good humor. San José has a very active nightlife with many nightclubs and venues with traditional folk music and dance.

Our summer campus is actually located just outside of San Jose in quiet area near Heredia within a residential area known for its coffee plantations, between the villages of Santa Barbara and San Juan.

Housed in a beautiful and large high school (called New Hope High School) with spacious campus grounds(15 acres), it offers excellent facilities.

During the year, the school has about 1,200 students from kindergarten to high school and is recognized by the Costa Rican Education Ministry.

School neighbourhood:
The colonial city of Heredia, with a population of 50,000, is located six miles north of San José (approximately 20 minutes by bus). Known as the "City of Flowers", this city and its surrounding areas provide all the conveniences of a medium-sized town in an environment that has escaped, to a large extent, the normal urban problems affecting the capital. The city has a surprisingly youthful and active feel despite its small size.

School facilities include:
Large campus with over 50 acres of private grounds
51 large and bright classrooms
Social areas / snack bar / TV room
Large outdoor swimming pool
Internet access in computer lab
Volleyball & basket ball courts
School cafeteria
Several soccer fields on Campus
Campus 600 yards west from Cafetalera La Meseta.

This program is an excellent option for Spanish school groups of 10 or more students travelling and study together. For more information on our Teenagers Abroad Groups Services and Options, please click on this link: GroupsAbroad.com

Standard summer program: (20 lessons per week)
- max of 10 students per class

Our program caters to all language levels from absolute beginner to the more advanced, includes the use of course materials and provides a variety of options to enhance your program.

Classes normally take place from 2.30 to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday - Fridays are kept free for beach excursions.

Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the student's language level and ensure placement in the correct class.

After classes are over for the day, the program allows plenty of time to discover the new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Students are provided with their chaperone's cell phone number which is available to the students at all times.

Our cultural / social activities & excursions allow the students the opportunity to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations.

In addition the program offers students the opportunity to be involved with volunteer projects & learn about environmental protection in the area.

Examples of activities + weekly schedule

Day excursions

Volunteer & learning project opportunties

Host family: (shared double rooms) with 3 meals daily.
Students share with other students from the program
This option is open to students 13 -17 years of age.

CHAPERONE INCLUDED:
Each day a chaperone will escort our student from the host family to school and back each day. The chaperone will also escort them to activity sessions and all weekend tours. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, students will have activities with the chaperone. Students will be also be given the cell phone number of the chaperones in case of emergencies.

When students are not with the chaperone, they will stay with their host family. The student will spend time with the family and may go out with them in the evenings however, students will NOT be allowed to go out in the evenings without an adult member of their host family.

Costa Ricans are excellent hosts who love to receive visitors and will take pride in making you feel at home. Living with a host family is the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of Costa Rica. The trip to school, is usually not more than 10 to 15 minutes away and many are within walking distance.
Additional host family information

Click to enlarge Costa Rica map

Click to enlarge school location

STUDENT FEEDBACK "I want to write this email about my experience in Costa Rica last summer - and I'm enrolling again in Teenagers Abroad this year, too! I decided to travel to Costa Rica as a innovative way to learn Spanish. The program encouraged beginners up to experts to join in the adventure and so I signed up. Nervous about entering a country where English was NOT the first language created obvious frustrations and hard work, however, with the help from the loving staff and supportive peers from all over theUS I had a great, enriching experience and I am coming back this summer once again. I learned SO much Spanish and it helped me be more than prepared for my high school Spanish classes this year. For those students who have not taken Spanish before, yes it is hard work, but it pays off. The experience is so great and to spend it with new friends is amazing. I am so thankful for the experience and still chat online with my friends living in Ohio and New York!" Kelsey (age 15) ________________________________ "We want to thank you for everything. I would love to recommend the Teenagers Abroad program in Costa Rica to any family who is looking for a quality program, reasonable price, fantastic staff and a great experience overall for their teenagers. It was a WONDERFUL program as far as we were concerned - and for Fiona, too!" Mother of 14 year-old Fiona

How do I enroll my teenager in this program?

The following is required and must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the teenager:

A completed enrollment form

A Teenager under age waiver form

We must be informed of any health conditions requiring special attention or special diets at time of enrollment.

A non-refundable deposit of $300.00 to ensure space on this program

The following information may also be required after your teenager has been confirmed space in our program:

Medical record

Waiver form granting or denying independent weekend travel, permission to leave school, etc

READY TO ENROLL NOW?
Please scroll to the top of this page and click on the red "ENROLL NOW" button and pick your method of payment.

Finally....
We have resource pages dedicated to Parents/Guardians & Teens, which address specific concerns and answers about our programs...we believe these pages are a "MUST READ" before enrolling in a program abroad!

Parent Zone

Teen Zone

If you still have questions, please contact us!