After classes and on weekends we offer a wide selection of activities, conducted in Spanish (the majority involve no extra charge). Students should check the notice boards in reception daily for times, sign-up sheets and specific information. We encourage all students to participate in as many activities as possible, as you will find they greatly enhance your understanding of, and connection to, the culture.
These include:
LATIN
DANCE CLASSES:
From Monday through Thursday you
have the opportunity to participate in classes where
you will learn salsa, merengue, cumbia and marcado,
the most popular dances in Costa Rica. This enables
you to go out to discos and dances with confidence
and interact on a fun social level with Ticos.
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES
CALENDAR:
Each month we have a new activity plan of special
events, national holiday activities, and a variety
of fun excursions which are accompanied by a school
teacher or staff member and in which we encourage
English students to participate so as to promote social
interaction with the locals. These activities include
football (soccer) games, trips to the bowling alley
or roller-skating rink, special dance or theater shows,
discussion groups, live music discos and more. For
some of the more important national holidays Intercultura's
staff presents eduational performances relevant to
the occasion, in which student interaction is highly
encouraged! (Click here to see our activities calendar)
*** Things to do in Heredia (Click here to see Activities in Heredia City) ***
COSTA
RICAN COOKING CLASS:
Once a week we teach students how to make typical
Costa Rican dishes, a nice skill to take home and
share with friends and family!
LATIN MUSIC
CLASS:
In this weekly class students learn traditional and
modern songs from different Spanish-speaking countries,
analyzing their meaning and cultural significance.
This helps greatly in overall comprehension. Feel
free to join in and bring your own instrument!
LECTURES:
We hold periodic talks and informal gatherings which
cover a diverse range of subjects and inform students
about topics such as the ecology and environment of
Costa Rica, Latin-American literature, politics, women's
studies and other socially and culturally related
themes.
FILM NIGHT:
Once a week we show a film in Spanish, an entertaining
and practical way to practice the language.
INTERCAMBIOS:
During these cultural exchanges Spanish students meet
with Tico English students at the school to practice
conversation skills (in both languages) in a relaxed
atmosphere, and to make new friends from the local
community.
LOCAL
ACTIVITIES:
Every Thursday evening and Sunday morning, weather
permitting, the local band presents free open-air
concerts in Heredia's central park. Also every Thursday
afternoon the National University shows primarily
Spanish language films, open to the general public
for a nominal fee. Intercultura maintains a list of
suggested day trips in the area for other after- school
activities.
"FIESTAS
PATRONALES":
These local celebrations are held in all Costa Rican
cities and villages every year, usually over a weekend.
They are advertised throughout the country and are
an excellent source of cultural entertainment. You
can watch bullfights "Tico" style, where
the bull is not harmed in any way, participate in
traditional games and try out a variety of local fare.
EXCURSIONS:
On weekends we host excursions to many different parts
of the country: Possibilities range from relaxing
on a white sand beach, to studying the complex ecosystems
of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, to watching the eruptions
of a live volcano! During the week we take students
to theaters, museums, nearby parks, the capital city
of San José, discotheques, soccer games, concerts
and more!
"I was very impressed with the
professional manner in which the school was run. Both
the teachers and directors were very accomodating
in tailoring a program to fit my specific skills and
needs....The classes were demanding and interesting,
and after class, having fun with the cultural activities
was the high point of my day!...My experiences with
both the school and the family were exceptional."
-- Tracy Hicks, BA Sociology / Psychology
For International
Travel:
Try eXito, Latin American travel specialist
for discount air to Costa Rica and other countries.
www.wonderlink.com/exito
For International
Travel Insurance:
try STA - Council Travel,
or a private company such as
http://www.worldwidemedical.com
LINKS:
Costa Rica Cel Phone Rental: http://interhand.net/cellphone/