Video: High School Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica

What are families saying about our Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica?

My daughter had an incredible experience with Common Ground. She loved all the adventure stuff, including the bungee jumping, and she really enjoyed the time with her "family". Her Spanish definitely improved, and most importantly, she feels very comfortable using it. She also seems more grown up, which I think travel does for you. I can't think of any way for you to improve the program for the parents. We felt very comfortable sending her off with you. And definitely, use us as references. We will be enthusiastic supporters!
D. English, Colorado

Our daughter had a fantastic time. It was a very good experience for her and for us as parents. This is reinforced by the fact that our younger daughter will more than likely go next summer for a 3 week session with Common Ground Intl. She liked her host family, the new friends that she made, the excursions, the community service and the classroom. She really spoke positively about every aspect of the trip. As a parent I am used to my kids going to camp and being away. We have even had her in several other countries. We felt very secure in her being with you in Costa Rica. You have a very nice company that creates a great experience for all involved. Please feel free to use this note as a testimonial to any parent considering Common Ground Intl. Thank you very much,
K. Gordman, Nebraska

We felt the Costa Rica experience for our daughter was all and more than we expected. She absolutely loved everything about it. It was hard as a parent sending her off but I felt you did an excellent job of keeping us posted. She often talks about missing you guys and the people she met and stayed with in Costa Rica. I really feel that she grew from the experience.
J. Larsen, Nebraska

The experience was an extremely positive one for our children and I am an enthusiastic advocate for the program. Both my daughter (Denver School of the Arts grad, 2007) and son (George Washington HS senior this year) made the trip in the summer of 2008. Both still speak often of their experiences with great fondness, and my daughter is convinced she would like to move to CR after college. Both have remained in contact with Rory and Leslie, corresponding in e-mail and Facebook. Although there are lots of great reasons to travel to Costa Rica, increased fluency from Spanish immersion was the outcome my wife and I were most looking for. Our daughter, in particular, gained confidence in her Spanish speaking skills during and following the trip. Both kids loved their host families-the characteristic warmth and affection that one associates with Latin American culture is evident in the many photographs and stories that came back. Likewise, the school visits and interactions with other children were purposeful and well-organized for the benefit of all participants. Maybe I should not have been surprised, but the volunteer service aspects of the trip made as great an impression with our kids as the more tourist-y aspects of the trip. The excursions must have been breathtaking--black sand beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, jungle canopy zip lines. The best part is that the Fosters are Costa Rica veterans and have long-established, reliable and trustworthy contacts there to facilitate travel. Our daughter remarked she always felt safe and comfortable while traveling--the driver inspired trust and drove safely. Overall, it was a great experience for our children, and I am grateful to have been able to fund the opportunity for them.
P. Leece, Colorado

I am writing to recommend to you (for future reference, and other IB students) the Common Ground International Costa Rica "immersion" program for high school students. We heard about this program in an LHS IBPA newsletter a couple years ago and decided to send our oldest, (an IB senior this year), on the program. The program gives the students an opportunity to study Spanish, live with a Costa Rican "host family," perform service work within the local elementary schools, and tour the natural highlights of Costa Rica (the rainforest, national park, volcano area, etc.) Nicholas was within a small group, including three students from Colorado Springs, a student from East High, and a physician’s assistant in training. The group leaders included Leslie Foster, co-owner of Common Ground, and an IB Spanish Teacher from CO Springs. Nicholas really enjoyed the experience and, per the group leaders, really improved his "speaking" Spanish over the course of the 15-day trip. We felt that for all he gained, the cost of the trip was a very good value, and we would recommend this to other IB students interested in improving their Spanish skills and learning more about this colorful country.
A. Walker, Colorado

Our family researched multiple language immersion programs abroad, and we are happy that our daughter participated in the Common Ground International summer program. Leslie and Rory Foster’s enthusiasm and professionalism are evident in every detail. Communication about the program’s structure, goals, schedule, and safety were superb. We had ample opportunity to ask questions and always received timely responses. When it was time for our daughter to leave for the summer, we felt very confident putting her on the plane! Rory kept us updated throughout the four-week program about what the students were doing and how they were coping. When we spoke or emailed with our daughter, she spoke very highly about Rory, Leslie, and Robin and her fellow students. The Common Ground experience exceeded our expectations, we appreciate the opportunity Leslie and Rory have created for students, and we love listening to our daughter’s Spanish!
S. Bender-Kitz, Idaho

Common Ground is the type of summer experience that all high school parents should consider for their teenager. The program provides students with the opportunity to adventure in a beautiful, foreign country while finding a great balance between education and summer fun. The Program offers a wide variety of interesting and exciting experiences from rappelling down a waterfall to visiting a coffee farm to snorkeling with tropical fish to living on a cocoa farm. The Program is extremely well organized; its leaders care deeply that the students have a valuable and memorable experience; and for our daughter, they fully achieved those objectives.
P Gordon, Colorado