Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

I did 4 weeks for the Spanish Immersion Program here at Maximo Nivel. I am extremely happy with my time here, have learned a ton and met amazing people. I can´t thank my teacher Yenny enough for the in depth comprehension and the confidence I have speaking Spanish now. Will be returning for sure. Thanks Maximo Nivel!

I knew no Spanish before coming to Maximo. Doing the Spanish immersion course was incredible. The teachers and the staff are all so kind and extremely patient! I would recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in challenging themselves. (Also Cusco is beautiful!)

My immersion program with Maximo Nivel was incredible. I did six weeks of group class for four hours a day, and over the course of those weeks I had five different amazing teachers who I am so grateful for. Then I began a volunteer program working with the kids of adolescent mothers which was one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done. Throughout the entire time (three months total), I lived with an amazing local family which I know feel like I am truly a member of. Overall, what an incredible experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Being in Cusco was way better than I had imagined (and I had imagined it a lot hahaha)! Maximo just had the best and most welcoming team, with great teachers and an energizing environment. I already had a good level of spanish, but now I know a lot more and I feel confident to practice everywhere I go! I can't wait to be back here :)<3

Dayana was great a great teacher! Also great to be in a class with the students of the same level and desire to progress. I had a great time and I cannot thank Maximo Nivel and thew international team enough for it!

me gusté de todos las actividades, Recelrá muchas atención todos los dias, del profesor y del personal. Aprendi español porque la profesora Martha es una excelente maestra. Es muy atenta y se preocupa por el bienestar de los estudiantes. Los profesores visten de forma adequada y con sus mejores galas. Me gustó mucho la cafeteria; tenía muchos bocadillos, tanto salados como dulces, a precios accesibles. Agradezco que haya café, leche y té disponibles. Regreso ao Brasil encantada y con todos en mi corazón. Agradezco a todos los que contribuyeron a mi felicidade en Máximo Nivel. Agradezco a Patrick, Maia, Reese, Gabby, Nico, Nora, Edson, Ni, Profesora Martha.

I really liked the theoretical classes, the dynamic classes and also the class outside, and especially the theater. I really enjoyed the week's activities, especially conversation. Thank you to Maximo Nivel

I had a great time! I think I was placed in the right level class and the teacher was excellent. As were the facilities and help from Maximo. I really enjoyed classes with Martha! She didn´t just stick to the book but gauged my level and needs and worked with that. She was fun and funny - as well as challenging my Spanish and pushing me to improve.

I spent 4 weeks in Cusco with Maximo Nivel. My level was high-intermediate. The school is outstanding and well organized, and my teachers were excellent. I learned a lot. My home stay went very well, with great food served for breakfast and dinner. I recommend this program for anyone, but I think it is most helpful for those who have at least a basic ability to speak and understand Spanish.

Going to Costa Rica taught me not only how to have an open mind when experiencing other cultures but also how to appreciate and grow within my own. I’m so grateful for the everyone within and outside of worldstrides for helping me.

My experience studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the best experiences I have had in college. I chose Barcelona because I have always loved Spain and wanted the opportunity to experience Spanish culture, travel, try new foods, and explore a new city. From the beginning, CEA CAPA made me feel welcomed and supported. Moving to a new country can definitely feel overwhelming, especially at first, but the CEA CAPA staff were always there to help and made me feel much more comfortable throughout my experience. One of the things I appreciated most about CEA CAPA was how safe and supported I felt while abroad. The staff were welcoming, approachable, and made it easy to ask questions or get help whenever I needed it. Knowing that I had people there who cared about my experience made being so far from home feel much less intimidating. I also loved that CEA CAPA helped create a community where I could meet other students and feel like I was not alone in a new country. I was able to become more independent while still knowing I had a support system if I needed one. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was an experience I will never forget. CEA CAPA gave me the opportunity to experience a new culture, meet amazing people, travel, and grow as a person while also making me feel safe and welcomed. I would definitely recommend CEA CAPA to anyone considering studying abroad, especially students who may be nervous about living in another country for the first time. It made the entire experience feel more comfortable, supported, and exciting.

My experience studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the best experiences I have had in college. I chose Barcelona because I have always loved Spain and wanted the opportunity to experience Spanish culture, travel, try new foods, and explore a new city. From the beginning, CEA CAPA made me feel welcomed and supported. Moving to a new country can definitely feel overwhelming, especially at first, but the CEA CAPA staff were always there to help and made me feel much more comfortable throughout my experience. One of the things I appreciated most about CEA CAPA was how safe and supported I felt while abroad. The staff were welcoming, approachable, and made it easy to ask questions or get help whenever I needed it. Knowing that I had people there who cared about my experience made being so far from home feel much less intimidating. I also loved that CEA CAPA helped create a community where I could meet other students and feel like I was not alone in a new country. I was able to become more independent while still knowing I had a support system if I needed one. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was an experience I will never forget. CEA CAPA gave me the opportunity to experience a new culture, meet amazing people, travel, and grow as a person while also making me feel safe and welcomed. I would definitely recommend CEA CAPA to anyone considering studying abroad, especially students who may be nervous about living in another country for the first time. It made the entire experience feel more comfortable, supported, and exciting.

Overall I loved my time in Costa Rica but the unfortunate part about it was I was there for 2 months and the 2nd month we did not have any excursions or cultural events even though we paid so much money to be there and I feel like we were lied to on what everything would cost to travel individually. I think I loved my time in Costa Rica because me and my roommates made the most out of it even though we felt separated from the rest of the program because we were the only ones who lived away from everyone and we could not walk to our other friends home stays because our homestay mother would make us Uber once it was already dark we did not have the money to continuously do that if we just wanted to hangout with our friends. Also we were mislead about the internship transportation luckily I was in a group of 4 for my internship and we could split Ubers but even then I was struggling financially towards the end of the trip and had no idea that we would have to figure out our own transportation to our internships if I had known that before I would have never done the internship it was totally misleading. Lastly, I enjoyed my homestay but I hated having the same meals from lunch and dinner and when I told my homestay mother that we all did not like that she did not change it she continued to do it.

Hola a todos, estuve una estancia muy bonita aquí en Arequipa y en las clases de Máximo Nivel. Sobre todo la clases de Dyana. Antes, tenía muchos profesores de español, pero, como ella da sus clases . . . ¡Era la mejorar de todas! Siempre alegre y sonriendo. El clima En la clase siempre era más familiar o como con amigos buenos. Así, nunca me senti como en una clase de escuela. Hacer las conversaciones y la gramatica no era trabajo . Pero tambien muy detallado Y muy bien explicado. Eran tres semanas que ya me hacen falta. Y tambien las clases de cocina con Nora. No solo la comida me gustó mucho. Ella lo hace de una manera. muy buena. Quizá, se podría dar a las estudiante estudiantes de cocina tambien dar un pequeño certificado que dice, que ahora tienen experiencias en la cocina peruana :-)

Dayana made learning Spanish fun. We laughed a lot and learned a lot. She was always encouraging and supportive. Dayana did a good job focusing on our errors with supplementary materials. Our group was very cohesive, in large part because Dayana brought us together. Best Spanish teacher ever!

I was pleasantly surprised with this whole experience! You all have been incredible. Maximo's culture is very welcoming + easy to connect with other people. I so so appreciate all of the support you've provided. Also, Pamela is fantastic!! I wish I could learn from her for longer. She is warm and a great, relatable teacher who has made me feel proud + confident in my Spanish level. My only regret is not staying longer!

Nely was a great teacher. We discussed many debatable topics and I learned a lot of new vocabulary. Everyone at Maximo was great from Patrick, Maia, Gabby and many others. Maximo really takes great care of all their students. I can´t say enough good things about Maximo.

My experience on the program was life changing, heart widening, and eye opening. I loved learning about how different communities have created long lasting change for social justice and better collective futures. The Indigenous, particularly Maya, focus, teachings, and stories was a highlight. This program challenged what I thought I was possible in terms of life paths and ways Maya activism manifests. My experience on this program will stay with me and I wish to be able to relive the experiences I had. The Indigenous teachings, stories, and lessons softened me and has shaped my new wide worldview.

I am, and forever will be, grateful for the opportunity to live in San Jose; my host family, my friends (local and fellow foreign students), and every place I visited made the trip so worth it. My classes were an amazing balance between rigor and freedom, giving me space to fully immerse myself where I was every day while also providing an enriching experience!

One of the most engaging and welcoming trips I’ve ever done!! I was able to do thing out of my comfort zone and get the whole experience of living in Costa Rica! I loved my house family (casa Marisol) she made sure that we were safe, welcomed and well fed 😁!! Not only was my stay homey but the staff was incredible! They were very supportive and friendly always making sure I felt comfortable in what I was doing. Quepos is beautiful and filled with many wonderful places to see and explore. I’m so grateful and happy I was able to do the tours and volunteer project! I had a blast and got to truly appreciate the pura vida life style 🤙