Alumni Interview with Caleb Jordan

What inspired you to go abroad?

I've been wanting to learn Spanish for years, and with an open summer vacation, an immersive learning program seemed like the best choice for me.     

Why did you choose Instituto Estelar Bilingue?

Instituto Estelar offered everything I was looking for in an immersive program: intensive classes, a homestay, extracurricular activities, and a reasonable price. I assumed it was exactly what I needed, and I was right.

What was your favorite part of Liberia, Costa Rica?

Liberia is a very relaxed and restful place that is perfect if you want to focus on learning a language and engaging with friendly locals. There's plenty to eat and see, and it's close to beaches, volcanoes, and springs.

What made your experience abroad unique?

My host family was utterly spectacular--warm, welcoming, and patient. Every single night for the month I was there, my host mother cooked a different traditional dish, and then she would sit with me for an hour sometimes talking in Spanish, telling my stories with grand gestures, or talking about Costa Rican culture, politics, history, gender dynamics, and many other things. I felt at home from the moment I got there, and I learned as much as I did, thanks to them.

How did local staff support you through the program?

The Institute staff was amazing. In classes, they were very attentive to my learning pace, changing my level or curriculum as needed. Outside of the classroom, they coordinated group trips or even just connected me with trusted drivers if I wanted to go on trips into the countryside by myself. Even on days when I didn't have class, I would sometimes wander in to ask for advice.

What is one thing you wish you had done differently?

I wish I'd gone on more trips in the first couple of weeks that I was there. Later on, I learned how easy it was to hop on a bus and go to the beach, but it took me a bit to get my legs under me.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

Typically I'd wake up at around 7:00 a.m., have a breakfast with my host family, then be at school by 8:00 a.m.. I had class for a few hours, which included a lot of conversation. In the afternoon, and I'd do homework and walk around town. My family would have dinner, and after which I might go out to see friends.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

During the week, I had every afternoon free and I spent the time exploring the city or just napping. On weekends, I went on trips alone or with school groups to beaches, volcanoes, hot springs, and cocoa farms. The trips were stunning - the countryside and people we met were all amazing.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I stayed with a host family and had my own room. The best thing was that my host mother cooked delicious meals every night. The house was comfortable, and having my own space was great. Besides, they did my laundry once a week, which was terribly luxurious.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Accommodations are comfortable but certainly were different than I was used to. There was no AC or hot water, and there were a fair number of bugs. The school did a great job of preparing me for these cultural differences, though.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

The trip was huge for me. First and foremost, I can now kind of speak Spanish, where I knew none before. I can read signs and speak (slowly!) to native language speakers back home. Second, I'm now dreaming of taking more trips to Central and South America, and I might even go back to Costa Rica for my wedding!

Would you recommend Instituto Estelar Bilingue to others? Why?

I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone interested in a challenging but structured and encouraging environment. The program is a perfect balance: I was exposed to a new culture and had to learn to do many things by myself in a new language (who knew finding gym shorts would be so difficult!). But at the same time I had a great support structure in my host family and the school staff whenever I was overwhelmed. It was a perfect program to learn a ton quickly and well, and I made new friends along the way.