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WEEKLY SCHEDULE |
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WEEK ONE
Spanish Classes at CPI Heredia
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
During Week One, to allow participants
to establish a base in the language, Spanish classes are the only activity
schedules. Students are placed according to level based upon a written
exam and oral interview. The maximum class size is four students
per class. Small class size makes for optimum learning as students
receive specialized attention from their professor. Morning classes
concentrate upoon grammar and conversation, the necessary elements for
communication. Professional vocabulary is also introduced during
the first week. After classes there are optinal cultural activities,
such as: Latin dance class and cooking class, a visit to a local coffee
plantation and "noches tipicas".
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WEEKS TWO AND THREE
Spanish Classes at C.P.I.
Heredia
Monday through Friday
8:00 am. - 12:00 p.m.
Classes remain concentrated
upon grammar and conversation; however, special focus is placed on relevant
professional vocabulary, client dialogues as well as the important elements
of multicultural awareness. |
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Volunteer at "El Patronato"
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
El Patronato, Costa Rica's state
run institution responsible for the welfare of women and children who are
abused (sexually and physically) and abandoned provides the opportunity
for trained professionals to observe/shadow Costa Rican counterparts.
Opportunities are available in the fields of: psychology, law, and social
work. Participants must be either graduating from university or currently
working in one of the fields mentioned. |
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Wednesday Excursions/Free
time |
| On the second and third Wednesdays
there is a break from observation. CPI offers optional trips so that
course participants may explore the local area. Activities include
hiking in a local forest and banana plantation as well as a trip to Poás
volcano. |
Friday Conferences
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
| The first speaker plans to
discuss the Costa Rican social service system to provide a more ample understanding
of its structure and workings. During week two our invited guest,
a social worker, concentrates upon domestic violence in Costa Rica, as
well as the many resulting social problems (abandonment of the home, teen
age pregnancy, street children). During the last week a speaker focuses
upon techniques and interventions utilized in Costa Rica. |
| WEEK-ENDS |
| First Week-end: Trip to Arenal
Volcano |
| Depart on Saturday morning. On
the road to the volcano visit the artisan town of Sarchi and the gardens
of Zarcero. Once in La Fortuna, hike to the Catarata La Fortuna and
swim in the natural pools at the base of the waterfall. After, stop
by Lake Arenal and spend the early evening bathing and relaxing at the
Tabacon Hot Springs with its spectacular view of the volcano. If
the volcano is active on this day, you will see impressive lava explosions.
On Saturday morning hike along trails in the "La Jungla"; here the group
can see wildlife native to the region. |
| Second Week-end: The Beaches
of Guanacaste |
| Leave on Friday afternoon
for the northwestern province of Guanacaste. Near Liberia,
the capital of Guanacaste, stop along the Rio Corobici and board a boat
for a jungle safari to observe animals native to the country´s driest
province. On Saturday spend the day at Playa Tamarindo enjoying the
sun, sand and surf and in the late afternoon head to Playa Flamingo for
a sunset “cruise”. On Sunday morning relax on the white sand
beaches of Playa Penca. |
