What inspired you to go abroad?
I wanted to improve my language skills, meet new people, and immerse myself in another culture.
Exploring Costa Rica's volcanoes!
Why did you choose Instituto Estelar Bilingue?
I had been to Costa Rica before and wanted to go back for a longer stay. Instituto Estelar Bilingue interested me because there would be English classes for local students alongside Spanish classes for me. To me, that meant more opportunities to practice my Spanish and get to know the people of Costa Rica.
What was your favorite part about Liberia, Costa Rica?
Liberia is the perfect size town. It's small enough that you can walk all over, and big enough that there are always plenty of bars and restaurants. It's also a close drive or bus ride to lots of beaches!
What made your experience abroad unique?
The opportunities outside the classroom were exciting - cooking classes, dance classes, book clubs for kids to volunteer - there was never a shortage of ways to use my Spanish in action and to talk with and get to know individuals from Liberia.
Enjoying a coconut in the shade on the beach!
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
They were very supportive, providing lots of suggestions for things to do but also giving me my space for free time. They were always knowledgeable about things like buses to the beach or what foods I should try while visiting.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I did a homestay! I saw that other students built lasting relationships with their host families and I think I really missed out.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
Spanish class - always a small group - was from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with a short break. The afternoons would vary - sometimes an extracurricular class and sometimes I would go to the beach with a friend. In the evening, there were social activities with Estelar students at local spots.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Going to the beach and exploring neighboring parks and volcanoes.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I provided my own accommodation, but Instituto Estelar Bilingue would have supported me in finding one if I hadn't.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Be ready to step out of your comfort zone, and be welcomed in to Estelar and to Costa Rica!
What was the hardest part about studying Spanish abroad?
I thought that I would be able to spend all of my time with Costa Ricans speaking Spanish. I was initially disappointed that so many of my friends and people I spent free time with were fellow Americans, so we spoke English a lot.
What surprised you most about Costa Rica?
The beauty beyond the beaches. I knew that beaches were a feature of Costa Rica, but by living there, I understood how special the forests, towns, and volcanoes are! What a beautiful country!
How difficult was it to communicate with locals?
No difficult at all! Costa Rican Spanish is easier to understand than Spanish from other parts of the world.
What is one thing you wish you would have known before studying Spanish abroad in Costa Rica?
That I should have stayed longer!
If you could learn another language abroad, where would you go and what language would you study?
I would love to learn Portuguese in Brazil because many of my students in Boston speak Brazilian Portuguese.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of language learning abroad is?
You learn the real thing! Learning languages in a classroom or online in your home country is nothing compared to immersing yourself in the language, culture, and lifestyle.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
I look at everything differently - living abroad taught me so much about who I am and how I fit in to this world. My life has also been impacted by finally calling myself bilingual, which has opened up so many opportunities for me. Lastly, I made lifelong friends with people I never would have met otherwise. I am so grateful for my time at Estelar and in Costa Rica!
Would you recommend Instituto Estelar Bilingue to others? Why?
Yes! Estelar provides a wonderful balance of programs tailored to me and activities offered to everyone. Estelar definitely fosters a warm sense of community and encourages people to get to know each other. I would love to go back!
