
Kesa Ferguson
Academic Programs International
AlumniMy brother was my primary inspiration to go abroad; seeing his transformative experience in China showed me how much a global perspective can change a...
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Intercultura Costa Rica
22
Learn Spanish and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture at one or both of our two unique locations – Samara Tropical Beach Campus and/or Heredia Historic City Campus. Study Spanish in small, dynamic groups with students of all ages and nationalities. Live with a Costa Rican family or in a student
See All 2 ProgramsGlobal Work & Travel
0
Run away to the beach and turn it into a real life change. This Costa Rica teaching experience is designed for travellers from the US, Canada and the UK who want to work abroad, change careers, take a meaningful break or build a new chapter overseas. Start in Playa Sámara with a 4 week international
See All 2 ProgramsHear what past participants have to say about their experiences
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
My daughter and I had the unique opportunity to experience both Intercultura's Teen Camp and Adult Spanish Program at the same time, and it ended up being one of the most memorable trips we've ever taken together. We started at the Heredia campus, and I can't recommend the immersion experience enough. Being surrounded by Spanish every day accelerated my learning far more than I expected, and the mild spring-like weather was absolutely perfect. The teachers were engaging, patient, and skilled at making students feel comfortable speaking, regardless of their level. While I attended adult group classes, my daughter participated in the teen camp. It was wonderful knowing we were both having our own enriching experiences during the day and then sharing stories in the evenings. She made friends from around the world and came home with increased confidence, improved Spanish, and unforgettable memories. We also spent time at the beachfront campus in Sámara, which was equally fantastic but in a completely different way. Studying Spanish just steps from the ocean felt like the perfect balance of learning and vacation. The location is stunning, and the classes kept me engaged and motivated while still allowing plenty of time to enjoy the beach and local community. What impressed me most was how Intercultura successfully serves learners of all ages. Whether you're a parent looking to improve your Spanish, a teenager seeking an international summer experience, or a family hoping to combine both, the programs are exceptionally well run. I would highly recommend both the adult program and the teen camp. Experiencing the city and beach campuses gave us the best of both worlds, and it was a trip we'll be talking about for years.
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
I took 2 weeks Spanish class at the school last winter. Everyone from the office and teachers where very professional and friendly. The location of the school just beside the beach and the ambience of the school it couldn’t be better.
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
I was a student at Intercultura whilst teaching English. The teachers were fantastic and I picked up more Spanish in a short time than I did in four years of studying at high school! It’s such a great place to learn and make connections. The teachers taught at my pace and outside of class there were lots of opportunities to practice. The extra curricular activities are great too
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
Intercultural was my gateway to a bilingual life abroad. I started there with no Spanish speaking skills and after 6 months of studying and living in Heredia, I developed solid Spanish communication skills and a strong understanding of the local culture and way of life. Due to all of the cultural activities and sense of community within the school, I was immersed in the local culture and quickly felt at home. I learned to dance Salsa and make gallo pinto(my favorite breakfast food), enjoyed their planned excursions and made tons of friends along the way - this was one of the best experiences of my life! The staff at Intercultura is very kind and welcoming and truly support you in your immersion journey. Sign up now!
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
I’ve had the opportunity to both work at and participate in several activities with Intercultura, and I can honestly say it’s a truly enriching experience. I really love both locations. The campus in Sámara offers an incredible connection to the natural beauty of Costa Rica, especially its stunning beaches. It has a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere where learning feels fun and alive. There are always engaging activities that make it easy to connect with others, creating a strong sense of community. The Heredia campus, on the other hand, gives you a taste of life in the Central Valley. It’s close to the city, but without the intensity of San José, which makes it feel more relaxed and authentic. There, you also experience a more traditional side of Costa Rican culture—family values, warmth, humor, and a genuine sense of joy in everyday life. What makes Intercultura truly special is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Through these interactions, you not only learn about other cultures, but also about yourself. It’s much more than a language school—it’s a space for personal growth, connection, and meaningful experiences.
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
Learning Spanish Intercultura was amazing! Everything Intercultura has to offer is exceptional- from the academics with extraordinary teachers who were invested my success to speak Spanish well to the community that the school creates to support learning and making you feel at home in Costa Rica through nursing home stays and incredible extracurricular activities.
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
I worked at Intercultura as an English teacher and had a great experience! Their staff is organized and extremely supportive. The curriculum is engaging for the students, and they complement the academics with fun, cultural events. If you are looking for a true immersion program in a safe and supportive environment, Intercultura is for you!
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
Intercultura is an amazing school that offers a very good opportunity for their students to learn a language from a different perspective. They offer an amazing classroom experience as well as very friendly staff who are willing to help in any way that they can. They also offer two very amazing locations, one being near San Jose while the other is a beach town.The program focuses more on speaking as well as listening, comprehension, and reading. The other amazing aspect of this entire process was the experience of living with a host family. It truly helped make the experience more memorable and helped with learning the language. Overall this was an incredible experience and I would happily go back and visit some time in the future.
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
I have never studied abroad before in my life, so getting the opportunity to go to Intercultura as my first experience was the greatest treat. The program was set up very wonderfully ! The teachers made the classes as much fun as possible with activities in the park, group improvisation, and games to improve our vocabulary and speaking skills. The weekend excursions were also amazing! I did so many new things that I will always remember. Getting to go zip-lining, rafting, and seeing monkeys all in one month? Can't beat that! Overall, I would do to this program every year if I had the time!
Program: Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus
An awesome experience, great location on the beach, very well thought out/organized in all aspects, excellent teacher and overall truly memorable. Not only did this one week immersion yield great results, it more importantly inspired the motivation to come back next year fully fluent ( or close ) and ready to take things to another level. I've eagerly studied every day (3 months) since returning home and look forward to coming back for two weeks next year. ¡Pura Vida!
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Kesa Ferguson
Academic Programs International
AlumniMy brother was my primary inspiration to go abroad; seeing his transformative experience in China showed me how much a global perspective can change a...
Read Full Interview
Megan Styborski
CEA
AlumniI knew I wanted to study abroad before I even reached college. My older cousin spent a semester in Italy when I was in high school, and I knew from th...
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Mackenzie Casten
University Studies Abroad Consortium
AlumniI have always been intrigued by other cultures, and knew before I even graduated high school that I wanted to study abroad. I love learning new things...
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Sarah Merrifield
University Studies Abroad Consortium
AlumniMy love for the Spanish language, desire to connect with other cultures, and passion for travel.
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Leah Miller
Greenheart Travel
AlumniI wanted to learn about a different culture. I am deeply interested in history, so the idea of cultures completely different from my own fascinated me...
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Christy Morgan
Intercultura Costa Rica
AlumniI love to travel and I knew that immersion would be the best way for me to learn Spanish. I was able to practice with my homestay family and with all ...
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Brittany Beene
CIS Abroad
AlumniOne thing that inspired me to travel abroad is the importance of being a woman of color and being abroad. I truly feel that my experience could inspir...
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Aliyah Blackmore
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniStudying or traveling abroad for an extended period of time has always been a desire, as I am a young female who has had and continues to develop a wo...
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Michael Martinez
(DEAD URL) SPI Study Abroad
AlumniIn school I felt like I wasn’t utilizing Spanish to the fullest of my ability. I felt like the Spanish I learned every year would only slip away durin...
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Carly Kovatch
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI applied to study internationally for a couple of reasons. First of all, traveling is my absolute passion. I am so intrigued by different cultures an...
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McKinley Cole
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI chose to apply for an international program because I wanted to enrich my college experience beyond my campus. I wanted to be fully immersed in anot...
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Logan Price
(DEAD URL) SPI Study Abroad
AlumniI chose to study abroad to widen my cultural understanding of the world and its people. Most of my life, I grew up and was never allowed the opportuni...
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Brad Miner
Academic Programs International
AlumniI chose API because they had everything that I was looking for: pre-departure assistance, in-country resident directors, host families, excursions, an...
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Leanne Shinkle
(DEAD URL) SPI Study Abroad
AlumniI chose to study abroad because before traveling with SPI I had never been outside of the country. I wanted to do it because I love Spanish and learni...
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Kendra Maxfield
WorldStrides
AlumniI decided to apply to go abroad because I needed a change of pace. I was exhausted with the college routine in Minnesota and I needed to experience so...
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Sheri Bechard
CEA
AlumniI wanted to travel and see the world, just like many other students my age, but it was not about just putting stamps in my passport or knocking must-s...
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Matt Lawson
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI have lived in Kentucky my entire life. As much as I love where I have grown, I've always had this desire to experience the world in all its natural ...
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Margo Bailey
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI chose to study abroad because I was a travel-lover searching for a sense of independence. I had traveled plenty of times with my family, but by atte...
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Danielle Lockard
WorldStrides
AlumniChoosing which study abroad program was the best fit for me didn’t happen overnight. It took a lot of research and comparing to finally reach a decis...
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Carter Harris
WorldStrides
AlumniISA offered the most educational and experiential options. My thought was that if I was going to study abroad, I was going to make the most of my expe...
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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