What inspired you to go abroad?
I had never left the U.S. and wanted to go somewhere to study Spanish abroad. After doing some short browsing, I knew studying Spanish abroad and immersing myself in the language was the best way for me to really learn.
Graduation day!
Why did you choose Tico Lingo?
Tico Lingo immediately resonated with me. The look and feel of the website, the review on GoAbroad.com, and their passion for Spanish learning was just so impressive. I chose it because it just really felt like a good fit for me.
What was your favorite part about Costa Rica?
My favorite part about Costa Rica was the people. Well... the food too! I loved the way people interacted with me on the street and how people were always so willing to help me with my Spanish. They had so much patience. I lived with a family while I studied Spanish and my family couldn't have been nicer. They fed me SOOO much food and it was all so delicious.
What made your experience abroad unique?
My experience was really made unique by my amazing profesora, Zayda. She went over and beyond what I was expecting from a Spanish teacher and was able to really dive into the areas me and my classmates were struggling with. We had so much FUN in class! I would've never thought that four hours of Spanish class could actually be a fun time. Thanks Zayda!! Te extraño mucho!
Tour of the central market in Heredia
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The staff at the school was so kind and supportive. The Program Director, Chris, would often organize after-class activities like soccer games. He definitely was an inspiration as he is now fluent in Spanish and failed it TWICE in high school! I have to mention Karen as well for her amazing tour of the city and incredibly calming yoga classes. She assisted with a lot of our questions and had a real local insight on the city since she was born and raised in Heredia.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I would have stayed longer! I only had three weeks to dedicate to learning Spanish, but I really loved it and wish I had had another three weeks to add to my program. But when it came the time to leave, I was just getting settled in and began to feel like I lived in Heredia. I was becoming a local!
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
The day to day life during the program was fantastic. In the mornings I would wake up to freshly brewed coffee, amazing local food cooked by my homestay mom, and lots of Spanish conversation. I would say goodbye to my homestay mom, walk to class, and greet Karen at the entrance of the school.
Class would begin at 8:00 a.m. We'd have a coffee break at 10:00 a.m. and then leave class around 12:00 p.m. Afternoons were really fun because it allowed me to explore the city and really get to know my classmates. We'd walk around popping into different shops and attempting to practice our Spanish.
Heredia really is incredibly walkable and I loved how much freedom the program gave us. After I'd explored the city, eaten lunch, and hung out with classmates, I would walk back to my homestay where I'd have dinner around 6:00 p.m. Evenings had me studying Spanish and practicing my conversational skills with extended family that would come to visit the house.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I loved visiting the local coffee shops! The coffee is so inexpensive in Costa Rica and is ridiculously tasty. Likewise, they are great places to talk to the locals and practice Spanish.
Awesome waterfall tour we did one Saturday!
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I stayed with a local Costa Rican family in Heredia. I was given a very nice private bedroom that had a desk, closet, lamp, and other basic essentials. It felt super homey and I loved it. I shared a bathroom with the family, but everyone was very tidy and would normally insist I use the bathroom first in the morning. They had two adorable dogs that would wag their tails and greet me in the morning. I loved how I immediately felt as if I were apart of the family. I really felt no awkwardness and was also greeted with hugs and "Holaaaaa"'s. Such an incredible experience.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
There is very, VERY little English in Heredia and participants will really need to rely on their speaking skills to carry out basic tasks like ordering meals, buying flowers, or finding where the soccer stadium is. Be prepared to really be immersed and use your Spanish!
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
I'm so much more willing to speak Spanish with people back home. I hear the language and it no longer sounds like white noise. I can pick up on what people are saying and naturally want to begin speaking with them in Spanish. It’s soooo cool! I think I definitely grew as a person in general as well. I met a lot of different people from all over the world who gave me a new perspective on culture, language, and overall way of life.
Would you recommend Tico Lingo to others? Why?
Absolutely! It was an overwhelmingly positive experience and I recommend it to anyone trying to learn Spanish and experience a new culture. It's an incredible program and I can't speak more highly of everyone involved at Tico Lingo! Gracias chicos!
