Staying with a Costa Rican family

We look for opened-minded, friendly and outgoing families. Talkative, warm and protective "mothers", friendly but respectful "fathers" and friendly, well behaved children.

It is also important that the whole family be willing and open to having a student in their home so that the student feels totally welcome and at home.

First we have the families fill out an application form with all their information: names, ages, pets, other family members who live in the home, schedules, who spends more time at home, etc. We choose the families that seem the most suitable, considering the family composition, neighborhood, and access to public transportation. Then we visit each one personally. We spend some time with the family, try to meet each member, talk about their interests, their family activities and their concerns about hosting a foreign student, and explain about cultural differences and special situations that have occurred in the past.

We also try to have as much information available as possible about the student (age, interests, diet, personality, expectations about living with a family, etc.) so we can tell the family in advance and prepare them as much as possible for the student's arrival.

When the family is really looking forward to hosting a student, and the student is also friendly and considerate, things always work out and cultural differences are not a problem.

DURATION OF HOMESTAY
The Homestay extends until the end of the week (7 days).

You can stay with a family for a minimum of one week or as long as you would like. Many students begin their homestay on the Sunday before they start classes and leave on a Saturday. But you may arrive in Costa Rica and start or end the homestay on any day of the week.

Spanish classes can be taken 4 or 5 days a week but the homestay is always for 7 days, 6 nights per week.

Also, like most students, if you wish to extend your homestay and stay with your family for a few days before or after your classes, you may book those extra days and we'll arrange it. The cost for extra homestay is $16 per day.

HOMESTAY CHANGES
Living with a Costa Rican family is a wonderful experience. Sometimes it may take a little getting used to Costa Rican culture and customs but, if for any reason you feel uncomfortable with your homestay family please do not hesitate to let us know and we will be glad to help.

We personally meet with each family and we also ask each student about his homestay experience so that the families are evaluated on a regular basis. However, because each student is different in personality, tastes, habits, etc., each might have a different experience with the same family. Also, at times, families can face different situations (sickness, work issues, etc.) which might affect them. Keeping all this in mind, if for any reason you do not feel completely welcome or content with your family, please inform the Academy so we can make the necessary changes or arrangements.

CLASSES WITHOUT HOMESTAY
If you are not interested in a Homestay program, we offer you the flexibility of paying for your classes by the hour. You may take any number of private classes or participate in our group sessions. Students enrolled in our Spanish classes (without homestay) also have our Latin Dance classes, Costa Rican Cooking Classes and Conversation "hour" included in their program.

OTHER ACCOMODATIONS
If you prefer accommodations other than our Homestay, we can help you make arrangements to stay at a hotel or an apartment. Prices and more information about alternative accommodations are available upon request.