THE ADMINISTRATION:
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Adelita
Jimenez, Founding Director.
Adelita is a native Costa Rican. She co-founded the school after working for several years as Spanish professor and later as administrative director in a San José language school. After her original degree in education, she went on to study business with an emphasis in public relations at the Universidad Interamericana in Heredia. She has attended numerous seminars in the area of business administration and management at Harvard Extension School, and second language acquisition nationally and abroad. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travelling, boogie-boarding and nature exploration.
Laura
Ellington, Founding Director.
Laura was born in Switzerland, grew up in England, then moved to the US, where she completed her BA in English Literature with a minor in teaching Spanish as a Second Language, from Skidmore College. She has RSA/CELTA Teaching Certification from Cambridge University, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in English-Spanish translation and linguistics from the Universidad Internacional de las Américas, Costa Rica. Her MA is in Cultural Anthropology, from the City University of New York- Hunter College. Before settling in Costa Rica, Laura lived and worked in the US, Nepal, Indonesia and France. She has participated in numerous conferences on Second Language Acquisition and Cross-Cultural Identity and Education, in Costa Rica and abroad. She is bilingual Spanish-English, and speaks French and German. In her free time she enjoys reading, Latin dance, biking and swimming at Sámara's beautiful beach.
Marcelo
Arroyo, Executive Director.
Marcelo is a Costa Rica native and has worked with
the school since 1994, first as a Spanish professor
and now as the department head and the school's executive
director. He is in charge of teacher training and
organizing Intercultura's ongoing professional development
series. He has a BA and Licenciatura in Literature, Linguistics, and Education from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, where he then went on to obtain two Master's degrees, one in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language and, other in Adult Education. He has also completed
coursework towards a PhD in linguistics, specializing
in Central American Spanish dialects and Mayan and
Chibcha indigenous languages. He has been a speaker
at numerous conferences, nationally and internationally,
has lectured for the Masters in Teaching Spanish as
a Foreign Language at the Universidad Nacional and
is the co-author of the Intercultura Spanish textbooks.
In addition, Marcelo organizes Intercultura's Cultural
Events Calendar, and is himself a performer of National
Folkloric Dance and Music. He speaks fluent
English.
Edgar
Meza, Systems Management Supervisor.
Edgar graduated in 1984, with a major in Telecommunications
and Information Systems. He also studied Systems Engineering
at the Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica, and
in 1990 he founded his own company for national data
transmission and IS. He joined Intercultura in 1999
as an independent contractor, and is now an indispensible
part of the staff as our patient and helpful Information
Systems manager. Edgar is also the school's evening supervisor, and is an integral part of the administration. In his free time he enjoys spending
time with his family, playing basketball and listening
to music.
Susannah Kenley, Student Affairs and Marketing Coordinator.
A San Francisco native, Susannah came to Costa Rica after receiving a bachelors degree in Sociology, graduating with honors from Loyola University, New Orleans in May of 2005. After teaching English at Intercultura she began assisting in Student Services until she was promoted to Student Services and Marketing Coordinator in 2007. Susannah is the first contact many students have with the school and is on campus to assist students with anything they may need throughout their studies. Along with Edgar Meza, Susannah writes and manages the school’s News and Events page, and Intercultura newsletters. In her free time she enjoys listening to live music, traveling, and writing. Her article, “Gifts From my Sister”, was published in California Deaf-Blind Services Newsletter (Fall 2002); re Sources and various other publications. She is fluent in Spanish and will soon be studying German.
Malachi Muhammad, English Department Academic Coordinator.
Malachi Muhammad is originally from Northern California, and graduated from California State University at Chico with a Bachelors in Criminal Investigation and Public Administration, followed by an Postgraduate Credential in General Education. Following university he went to work in the California educational system for five years, eventually becoming one of the youngest assistant principles in the state and working in one of California’s poorest districts. After his time in public education Malachi came to Costa Rica, where he began teaching at Intercultura and the Interamericana University, and doing teacher training for Costa Rica TEFL. After his first year at Intercultura, Malachi became Head English Teacher, where he worked in teacher training & curriculum development, and in 2008 was promoted to English Department Academic Coordinator. He is fluent in Spanish, is an avid basketball player and a proud father.
Aurora Gomez Jimenez, Administrative Coordinator, English Dept.
Aurora is a Costa Rican native from the province of Cartago. She has worked as an English teacher for about 7 years in public and private elementary schools, high schools and language institutes. She has a Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second language (TESOL) at the University of Costa Rica and is currently completing additional graduate studies in International Relations and English Literature. Aurora studies French at the Alliance Française, and has participated in many exchanges programs: University of Northern Iowa (UNI), California State University (CalPoly), Georgetown University (GW) and University of Toronto (U of T). She works in the English Department in Intercultura and is in charge of student placement exams, scheduling, teacher and student advising and general department management. In addition, she conducts the welcome and orientation meeting for new Spanish students and organizes cultural activities to promote interaction between English and Spanish students.
Nicolás Correa, Student Services & Homestay Coordinator.
Nicolás was born in Medellín, Colombia, and has lived in Costa Rica since 2001. He works for the English department as an academic assistant, and also helps in Student Services for the Spanish department. He is currently majoring in Teaching English at the Universidad Nacional (UNA), and plans to study Graphic Design and Digital Animation when he finishes. Outside of school, he enjoys drawing, playing basketball, and going to the
cinema. Nicolás is bilingual Spanish-English, and is
now learning German.
SPANISH
PROFESSORS
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Alexa
Santana, Promotora de Desarrollo
Académica.
Alexa is Costa Rican and has been a Spanish professor
since 1989, first at the high-school level and later
as Academic Director in another capital area Spanish
institute, before joining Intercultura in 1996. She
has a BA in Literature, Linguistics and Education
from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Costa
Rica, where she also obtained a Post-Graduate Certificate
in Literature. After completing an intensive English
program in Canada, she returned to Costa Rica to obtain
an MS in Education from the Universidad Latina, with
emphasis in Spanish. She has lectured at the Universidad
Nacional Autónoma for the Masters program in
Spanish as a Second Language, and has spoken about
this and related topics at various seminars, conferences
and national workshops. She completed the ACTFL training
in Oral Proficiency Interviewing, and in addition
to teaching, she does student testing, teacher training
and professional development at Intercultura.
Vanesa
Carvajal.
Vanesa is Costa Rican and has been a Spanish professor
at Intercultura since 1994. She has a BS in Education
from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Costa
Rica, with emphasis in Spanish. She is also certified
as a teacher of Spanish as a Second Language. She
has participated in numerous workshops and conferences,
specializing in the Teaching of Spanish as a Second
Language. In addition to teaching Spanish, she has
also taught Latin Dance, and has presented both Latin
and Indigenous Dance nationally.
Erika
Romero.
Erica is Costa Rican and has a BA in Spanish Philology
from the Universidad de Costa Rica. She has presented
and participated in several National Language Congresses.
She has been teaching at Intercultura since for since
early 2000. She is also a member of a national folkloric
dance group, where she performs on a regular basis.
She studies English as a second language at Intercultura.
Nuria
Rodriguez.
Nuria is Costa Rican and received her BA in Spanish
Literature and Linguistics from the Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de Costa Rica, where she went on to
obtain a Post-Graduate Certificate in the same field.
She taught Spanish as a Second Language and also Spanish
Grammar and Literature at the high-school level, before
joining Intercultura in 2000.
Silvia
Ruiz.
Sylvia, a Costa Rican, studied at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Costa Rica, where she obtained her BA with a double major in Spanish Education and Linguistics & Literature. She obtained her Post-Graduate Certificate in Spanish as a Second Language from the same University, and also studied English at the Costa Rican Technical Institute and the UNED. Silvia has a MA in Education from the National University and is currently completing a second MA in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language. She has taught at Intercultura since 2001, and also assists in development of materials and teacher training.
Andrés
Viales.
Andres, from Costa Rica, has a BA from Universidad de Costa Rica in Spanish and Classical Philology. In addition to teaching at Intercultura, he works at the Philology Department of the University as a teaching assistant. Previously he worked as a research assistant in the areas of classic literature and mythology and as a latin tutor. He has presented and participated in multiple language conferences nationally. He is currently studying German. Andrés's MA is in Classical Literature, from the University of Costa Rica.
Mónica
Molina.
Monica is Costa Rican, and studied Spanish Literature
and Linguistics at the National University, where
she obtained her BA and certification in Teaching
Spanish as a Second Language. She also studied community
education and taught both adults and high school students
public and private institutes before joining Intercultura
in 2003 as a Spanish professor. She has participated
and presented in numerous academic conferences, such
as the VI Congreso de Filología, Lingüística
y Literatura: Víctor Manuel Arroyo, at the
Universidad Nacional.
Hernán
González.
Hernán is from Costa Rica and has his BA from the Universidad de Costa Rica, where he studied Sociology and Philosophy. He also did a Licenciatura in Education at the UNED, and is currently completing his Master's in Communication at the University of Costa Rica. Before teaching, he worked on social investigation projects at the university. He has taught Spanish as a Second Language since 2001, and enjoys sports and running in his free time.
Monserrat
Santana.
Monserrat, a Costa Rican native, received her BA in Dance at the National University, and her BS in Education and Language Therapy at the University of Santa Paula, where she went on to do a Licenciatura in the same field. She has presented at various conferences on Language Acquisition and Speech Therapy, and is proficient in sign language. She has performed nationally with folkloric and modern dance groups, as well as giving workshops in dance and corporal expression to children from low-income areas. She has also worked with local art and theater groups from marginalized communities. In addition to teaching, she has her own Language and Voice Therapy practice, where she treats children and adults with speech, communication and language difficulties. Montserrat is currently enrolled in the National University Master's program in Education with emphasis on Teaching Spanish as a Second Language.
Ana
Isabel Alfaro.
Ana Isabel, a native of Heredia, has been with Intercultura since 2005, and has been a professor of Spanish as a Second Language since 2000. She received her teaching certification in Spanish and her BA in Literature and Linguistics from the National University in Heredia, where completed her MA in Education. Ana Isabel's areas of study include Education and Globalization, and she is now enrolled in a second Master´s program in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language at the National University.
Jesus
Cárdenas.
Jesús grew up in San Ramón and
then went on to study at the University of Costa Rica
in San José, where he obtained a BA in Teaching
Spanish Language and Literature and enrolled in his
MA in Hispanoamerican Literature. He worked as a primary
and secondary school teacher for six years, and also
taught oral expression and literature in the corporate
environment before joining Intercultura in 2005. His
current professional development is focused on teacher-training
for Spanish literature, and curriculum design and
evaluation. He was the organizer of the Bandeco Anual
Student Cultural Festival for several years, and also
worked in the theatre as a director. In his free time
he enjoys modern dance, yoga, swimming, reading and
attending concerts, art exhibits and other cultural
events.
Samuel
Barrera.
Samuel is originally from Lima, Perú, but has lived in Costa Rica since 2000. He has a BA in Educational Science from the Costa Rican National University, and is now completing his MA in Education at the National University, with emphasis in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language. He studied Teaching English and Spanish as a Second language in Lima, Perú and has worked as a Spanish teacher in both Perú and Costa Rica. Samuel has worked in the Peace Corps and at the university level teaching Spanish since 2001, and at Intercultura since 2006.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
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Enrique
Valerio, Latin Dance Teacher.
Enrique is our Latin dance teacher, and has helped
countless students overcome their 'two left feet'
and become impressive dancers of Salsa and Merengue!
He is a performer himself and gives workshops nationally
to foreign and local students.
Carmen
Jiménez, Cooking Teacher.
Carmen, a wonderful cook and a patient teacher, has
taught students from all over the world her famous
Costa Rican recipes. Her Wednesday classes and the
food for all that follows are looked forward to by
staff and students alike. Carmen studied Home Education
in the Culinary Institute María Pacheco in
Alajuela, and is certified in Food Management through
the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA), which
accredits her as a formal cookery teacher in Costa
Rica.
Gabriela
Gutierrez, Arts & Crafts Teacher.
Gabriela is from Heredia, Costa Rica. Since she was
little has always loved art, which later led her to
choose to study in the Fine Arts School at the Universidad
de Costa Rica, where she obtained her degree with
a specialty in engraving, with complementary studies
in metallurgy, textiles, ceramics and painting. She
currently teaches art with the Ministry of Education
at the high school level, and teaches art and handicrafts
to Intercultura students.
José Martín Páez Carrera, Cultural Activities Program Coordinator.
José Martín was born in Panama to a Panamanian mother and Costa Rican father, and lived there until age five, when the family relocated to Costa Rica. José has always enjoyed travel and getting to know new places and people, and for this reason he did a student interchange program in Florida for a year and then lived in Switzerland. José speaks fluent English, is an avid student with a degree in Publicity and Interior Design, and, due to his passion for cooking and creating, is now studying to become a professional chef. José is by nature a happy, helpful person, and in his role as Cultural Activities Program Coordinator he ensures that the students leave with an excellent impression of Costa Rica's cultural life.
SUPPORT
SERVICES & ADMINISTRATION
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Annia
Delgado, Customer Service & Office Manager.
Annia Delgado is a native of Costa Rica and started
with Intercultura in 2006. She works as receptionist
and in student support services. She lived in the
US for several years, which helped give her an increased
understanding of, and desire to share with, people
from different cultures. She has a lot of experience
in the customer services field, and is the first person
students meet when they begin classes. She is known
for her sweet and patient disposition, which helps
students feel comfortable throughout their stay here.
She is currently completing her BA in education and
continues to perfect her excellent English at Intercultura.
Evelyn Dobri, (Maternity Leave)
.
Evelyn is Costa Rican but was brought up in Canada, where she completed her studies in tourism and nursing before moving back to Costa Rica. She is in charge of the homestay program and student affairs, and meets most students via email before they even arrive in Costa Rica, placing them with their homestay families and helping them plan their program in her usual cheerful and thorough way. She enjoys interacting with people from different countries and learning about new cultures. She is bilingual Spanish-English and speaks French.
Paulina Rodríguez, English Dept. Administrative Assistant.
Paulina was born in Quito, Ecuador, and has lived in Costa Rica since early 2004. She works for Intercultura's English department in customer service and accounting, where she enjoys interacting with the many local students. She also provides support to the Administration and the Spanish Department. Paulina has a Licenciatura en Business Administration, with a concentration in finance. In her free time she enjoys swimming, volleyball and watching foreign
films.
Marilyn Zamora.
Marilyn was born in San José, Costa Rica's Capital, where she lived before moving to Heredia. She is currently finishing her degree in Spanish, and has taught in various schools in the San José area. She greatly enjoys the interaction with foreign and local students in teaching and education, and also in her current position in Intercultura's customer services department. Marilyn is an extroverted, sincere and very helpful person who likes reading, listening to music, and dancing in her free time.
Dayanna Herrera, Assistant Accountant.
Dayanna joined Intercultura's accounting office in 2007. She is a graduate of the Heredia Technical College, where she obtained her degree in Accounting and Financing. Dayanna is now studying Administration at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma, and in her free time she enjoys reading and listening to music.
Jeri
Arend, Tour Guide.
Jeri helps Intercultura offer students excursions
all over the country. He is from Costa Rica and has
been involved in tourism his whole life. He likes
working as part of the school team, and values the
human contact and professionalism of his coworkers
and students alike. The enthusiasm of the students
and the interpersonal contact with them, as well as
the chance to learn about different cultures and his
own country, are what attracted him to working in
tourism.
Joaquín
Lizano, Volunteer Agency Director.
Joaquín Lizano is Costa Rican, and has collaborated
with Intercultura since 1996. He began as a Spanish
Professor and Intercultural Communications trainer,
and since 2000 has been the Volunteer Program Director
through an independent agency. He is a professor at
Veritas University in San José and a consultant
for the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. He
is fluent in Spanish, French and English, and has
lived and worked abroad. His undergraduate studies
were in International Business, and his Master's is
in Communications, with an emphasis on Intercultural
Education. He is currently studying German at Intercultura.
Carlos
Araya, Security & Maintenaince.
Carlos comes from Heredia and
has worked in various educational centers in the area
of security, and also in construction and carpentry.
He enjoys spending time with his family, is invariably
kind and cordial, and takes pleasure in assisting
our visitors from other countries with any needs they
have during their stay in Costa Rica.
ADVISORY
BOARD
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Iván Núñez Bolaños, Accounting Auditor.
Iván Núñez Bolaños was born and lives in Alajuela. He studied International
Commerce at the University of Costa Rica, and has two post-graduate
qualifications, one in Public Accounting, the other in Business Administration,
both from the Autonomous University of Monterrey. In his free time Iván enjoys
going to the movies, the theatre and football games. His favourite team is "La
Liga" in Alajuela!.
Barbara Miller,
Academic Consultant.
Barbara is originally from California, but has lived in Costa Rica since 1999, when she joined Intercultura as English Department Director. She has a double Bachelors degree in Psychology and Multicultural/Gender Studies, and two Master's, one in Educational Administration and the another in Teaching English as a Second Language. After working with Intercultura for nine years in Heredia, Barbara moved to Sámara, where she now serves as Intercultura's Academic Consultant and runs her CR TEFL Teacher Training program.
Tyrone Jackson, Systems Management Consultant.
Tyrone joined Intercultura in 2002 at the Sámara Campus, first as an ESL professor and was as Administrative Coordinator, where he worked until 2008 managing the beach campus. His undergraduate studies were in Political Science, with an emphasis on Business Communications, at the University of Central Iowa. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and is studying German. In 2008, Tyrone retired from his full time position at Intercultura, and now works as our Systems Management Consultant.
Melvin
Montero, Advisor.
Melvin worked with Intercultura from 1999 until 2003 as managing director, before going on to form his own counseling practice, while continuing to collaborate with Intercultura as an advisor in human resources and organizational psychology. A Costa Rican native, Melvin lived in the US for many years, where he directed programs in the field of social services that concentrated on education for young people and families. He has two Master's degrees, one in Educational Administration and another in Theological Studies and Counseling, and is completing his PhD in Educational Administration. His area of specialty is the design of educational programs for different population profiles. Melvin also gives lectures on International Education, Intercultural Adaptation Issues, Culture Shock, Psycho-Social Profile of the Costa Rican Family and others. He is bilingual English-Spanish and enjoys reading, education, dancing and learning about new sociocultural theories.
Note:
- Philology is equivalent to the study of Literature,
Language and Linguistics
- A Post-Graduate Certificate is called a 'Licenciatura'
in Spanish, and involves a full year of study plus
a thesis after the Bachelor's degree.
- The Costa Rican degree is recognized by the US university
system as equivalent to a US university degree.
- Though Spanish is the language used in the classroom,
most of our teachers are speak or are studying another
language. English, French and German are the most
common second languages.
