Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Spanish Courses
Spanish Immersion Program
Medical Mission & Spanish Immersion
High School Spanish Immersion Program

Medical Spanish Courses

Do I have to start at the Beginning I level of Medical Spanish courses if I already know some Spanish?

No, and actually we don’t advise that you take a class lower than your grammar and communication ability. Even if your medical Spanish vocabulary is weak, we suggest that you start with a level that is better suited to your grammar and conversational ability.

How do I know which level of Medical Spanish course is the best for me?

Take a look at our course descriptions found on our Medical Spanish page, and that should help. If you’re still uncertain about what course is best for you, feel free to give us a call. We would be happy to help you get placed into the correct level. (303) 684-5557

Are there any tests in these Medical Spanish classes?

Not usually. Sometimes when we’re offering a course for a university program there are some quizzes in the class for grading purposes, but there is no nasty final to worry about.

What if my schedule changes and I can’t finish the course?

Not a problem. We are happy to transfer your registration (or a pro-rated amount of your registration) to another course. In this case, there is just a $25 transfer fee to postpone and transfer your registration. If another night of the week works better for you within the same session as your original registration, we can just switch you into that other class at no additional cost or fees. We don’t offer refunds for your registration in most circumstances. However, if you have an extenuating circumstance, feel free to give us a call and we’ll work out a fair solution with you.

Is there University Credit offered for these Medical Spanish courses?

There is if you’re a university student, and your program has contracted directly with us to offer you an elective medical Spanish course. Most of our public medical Spanish classes are not university accredited. However, they are all CEU accredited for nurses and the Beginning I and Beginning II level courses are typically CME accredited for MD’s, PA’s and NP’s.

Can you host your Medical Spanish courses at my hospital/clinic?

Absolutely, all we need to do is arrange room space through the appropriate channels at your healthcare facility, and we’ll work with you to help spread the word amongst your co-workers to get a Medical Spanish class started.

Do your Medical Spanish courses certify me to be an interpreter?

No, and you’ll actually sign a student agreement that states you understand that these regularly scheduled Medical Spanish courses are not interpreter training courses. Our courses are meant to be communicative in nature, and help you establish a better working relationship with your patients. Medical Spanish interpreting is a completely different field, which still uses Spanish of course, but requires a very different skill set. Most local hospitals have a department in place for its interpreters and have their own standards for what it takes to become an interpreter at that location. Speak with your HR department about your interpreting goals if you’re interested in becoming a Medical Spanish interpreter. We’ll of course be happy to help you improve your Spanish toward that goal, but being an interpreter requires much more professional skill and knowledge than just being bilingual.

I want to take an upcoming Medical Spanish class, but I can’t afford the full payment up front, can I break up my payments to you?

Of course! We ask that at a minimum you make a $100 deposit to reserve your space in an upcoming class. We’re happy to work out a payment plan with you for the remaining balance that fits your work and paycheck schedule. Unfortunately the online registration system doesn’t allow you to make partial payments…so just call the office and we’ll work with you (303) 684-5557.

I can’t take a Medical Spanish class now, but I want to make sure that I keep receiving your information about upcoming courses, how can I get on your mailing list?

You can do one of 2 things: call us and request that we add you to our mailing list or send us an email asking to be added to our list. Contact us!

Would you ever consider customizing a Medical Spanish course for a particular specialty?

Of course, we customize Medical Spanish courses all the time for groups of healthcare workers that all work in the same field. Give us a call, and we’ll work with you to tailor a Medical Spanish course that fits your needs and current Spanish level specifically.

When is your next Medical Spanish session in Colorado?

Typically we offer 8 week courses year-round. The fall session is usually mid September – mid November. The winter session is early January – early March. The spring session is early April – mid May. And the summer session is mid July – early September. Contact us if you’d like to be added to our email list and receive regular class schedule updates!

General Spanish Immersion Program Questions

What is the weather like in Costa Rica?

From about May/June through October/November it is rainy season in Costa Rica. The sun may shine in the morning (and it will be humid), but it will certainly rain in the afternoon (but it’s usually not a cold rain). December through April is dry season. It will be sunny, humid, and may rain here and there.

What time zone is Costa Rica?

October – March Costa Rica is 1 hour ahead of MST. April – September Costa Rica is on the exact same time as MST.

How safe is Costa Rica?

This is actually the #1 reason we chose to have our Spanish Immersion Programs based in Costa Rica. Not only does Costa Rica have a long history of peacefulness and political stability, Costa Rica hosts over 1.5 million tourists a year. Tourism is a very large portion of the country’s economy, which means that in general tourists are treated very well.

Where do we stay in Costa Rica?

The bulk of the time you spend in Costa Rica is in a small town called San Isidro de Heredia. There is another larger town in Costa Rica called San Isidro…so the “de Heredia” part is pretty important to distinguish. This town is about 30 minutes NE of the capital city San Jose. San Isidro de Heredia is a wonderfully typical middle-class Central American town. The church is right in the middle of town, with a soccer field/plaza out front, and all the local businesses and residences within a few blocks walk of the church. The language school where you will walk to every morning is about 800m north of the church on the main road.

What are the host family homes like?

You will be staying in a middle-class home setting in Costa Rica. You can expect the home and your bedroom to be small. Your bed probably won’t be as comfortable as your bed is here in the US. Most homes have tile floors, no carpet. Most families do not have dish washers nor clothes driers. You will be given a couple different keys for the home: one for the exterior gate off the street, and another for the actual doors to the house.

Will my host family speak English?

Your host families may speak a little English, particularly if they have school aged children. However, we encourage them to not let you know. The best way for you to continue learning Spanish is to have to use it!

Will I have another student from the trip in the same family with me?

No. We specifically limit the number of students to one per family. This increases your opportunities to speak Spanish. If you’re traveling with a sibling we’ll make an effort to place you in neighboring host families so that you’re at least close to each other. If you’re traveling with your spouse for some or all of the time, then yes we can place you in the same family.

How are host families chosen?

Having a student is a significant boost to our host families’ income. Because there are more families requesting students in the town than we have need for, we are selective in who we employ to host you. The host families that our students stay with are screened for various things:

• Criminal and/or questionable social activity
• Suitability of the living quarters that you will occupy
• General “likeability” and Friendliness
• Availability of a family member at the home during the hours you are scheduled to be there
• Age and sex of the family’s children. We would not place a teen girl with a family that has teen boys for example.
• Proximity to the language school

Will I be able to go to church?

Certainly, there aren’t a ton of different faith options in town, but there is a nice Catholic church in the middle of town with several service times throughout the week.

Will I be able to shower every day?

Sure. You will be able to shower every day. There is no guarantee that your shower will be warm water, but you’ll certainly have access to a shower.

Is the water safe to drink?

Yes. You can drink water from the tap almost anywhere in Costa Rica. If you’re on our program and we’re headed to a place where water is not safe to drink, we’ll certainly have bottled water for the group.

Do you have payment plans?

Absolutely. Most of the time the program cost is spread out over 3 payments. If you need other specific arrangements, we can probably be flexible with you. If you’d like to make just one payment, that’s fine too. Acceptable forms of payment are Visa, Master, Discover, Check and Cash.

Will I receive a packing list for my Immersion Program?

Yes. Shortly after your register, you will receive a list of clothes, personal items, donations you need to begin collecting, and other miscellaneous items to pack as soon as we receive your application.

How long does it take for a passport?

Typically 60 – 90 days. If you have any questions about how to get a passport, you can find information online:

Do cell phones work in Costa Rica?

Some do, not all. This depends on your service provider and your specific phone, so check with your service provider first. If your specific phone isn’t capable, most service providers have world phone rental options. This isn’t usually the most economical way to call home when you’re in Costa Rica. You can purchase calling cards when you arrive to Costa Rica. We recommend the VOIP program called Skype. If you won’t have a computer with you in Costa Rica, your Common Ground trip leader always will and you’re welcome to use our computers to call home.

Will we have the opportunity to exchange money?

Absolutely. Of course it’s always a good idea to have a little cash on you in Colones, but honestly you don’t need much right away when traveling with a Common Ground group. After you get settled into your host family, we’ll make sure you have the opportunity to exchange $US for Colones right away. Credit & Debit cards are accepted throughout the country, and ATM machines are more and more common every year. The ATM is convenient, and usually provides a good exchange rate. It is important to notify your bank that you will be traveling abroad, and you’ll probably want to inquire about any foreign transaction and/or currency fees.

Who are Common Ground’s guide and driver in Costa Rica?

You’ll be surprised how close you become to our guide and driver during the time you’re traveling with Common Ground! Our lead guide is Percy Piedra. He has worked with Common Ground Groups in Costa Rica for over 8 years now, taking care of hundreds of our students. We don’t always have the same driver, but he is always someone hand-picked by Percy our guide.

What is meant when referring to private in-country transportation in the application form?

You will have the same guide and driver for your group the whole time you are on the program with Common Ground, and our destination is further than walking distance. In the mornings you will walk to language school for an 8am start time. In the afternoons we will leave the language school and head to our volunteer site together (either walking or on the private bus). During the weekend excursions we will certainly be on the private bus with guide and driver chaperoning our travels.

What is the proposed tip amount for guide and driver?

A good rule of thumb is $30/week you’re there for the driver, and $30/week you’re there for the guide. They work very hard for you, and we take great pleasure in thanking them generously at the end of our programs.

What if my spouse or partner wants to join me for part of the program?

Many spouses, fiancées, & friends join our groups for a portion of the program. We’re happy to arrange this for you with both your host family, and any private hotel accommodations that you require while on vacation portions of the program. If this is something you’re considering, we just ask that you let us know early on so that we can make appropriate arrangements for you. This is not a last minute decision that you can make, it does require special arrangements that need to be made at the time you submit your application.

How much extra spending money should I plan on bringing?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not budget enough money for additional expenses. The challenge is that this is a question that depends heavily on your tastes and the specifics of the program you’re applying for. To give you an idea of the typical expenses you may be responsible for: a normal lunch will usually run $5.00-$7.00; dinner runs $7.00 - $15.00. Optional excursions are something you should also plan for, but each program is very different. These excursions really add some amazing experiences to your Spanish Immersion Program in Costa Rica. Tips excluded (explained above), if you were to not include any additional excursions, and live as frugally as possible for the time you’re there, you should plan on $150 for the 2 week program and $300 for the 4 week program. The best approach however, is to take a look at the specific itinerary for your program that highlights the expenses you’re responsible for, and begin planning your additional expenses accordingly.

Do I need any special immunizations or take any other preventative measures?

Of course you need to be current on your standard immunizations. We always suggest that you take some sort of malaria prophylaxis. Additionally, when traveling anywhere in Central America there is also a risk of Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Hepatitis A and B. We suggest you consult both the CDC website and your primary care physician to prepare for your Spanish Immersion Program in Costa Rica.

Medical Mission & Spanish Immersion Questions

How are the facilities chosen where we will be working?

We work with a few different non-profit groups in Costa Rica that focus on bringing healthcare & health education to the poor and underserved in several different communities around the Central Valley. We spend significant time in schools in these communities conducting health fairs. We also set up our own mobile clinics in community meeting places to provide free primary care to the community.

What medical issues can we expect to see and treat in Costa Rica?

This depends highly on the nature and size of the group you’re traveling with. In general you can expect to provide primary care and preventative health education to women and children. Often times we have the opportunity to provide other specialized care, but this depends on the specialties of the professionals you’re traveling with. You will receive much more detailed information about the specifics of the volunteer work and the communities in which you’ll be working after you submit application for a program.

How do we get the medicine we use to treat patients?

Part of your pre-departure responsibilities is to be collecting both physical and financial donations for your work in Costa Rica. You will receive more details and specific donation lists after submitting your application.

What sort of liability insurance do I need to help patients in Costa Rica?

Medical liability insurance is not required for the work we do in Costa Rica. We see patients for free, and under the direction of the local organizations that we partner with in these communities.

What sort of medical equipment should I bring with me?

Whatever is portable and you’re able to bring with you is the short answerJ. You certainly need your stethoscope, otoscope, opthalmoscope, blood pressure cuffs for adults, children and infants, thermometers & covers, gloves and masks that fit you, etc. We’ll of course be able to give you more specific information relating to the specific program you’re applying for after application.

High School Spanish Immersion Program Questions

How many students do you travel with at a given time?

We have a maximum number of around 24 students at any one time on the summer immersion program with us.

Who are the chaperones for the High School program?

Common Ground has 2-3 staff members who chaperone the high school groups at all times. When our group size nears 20+ students, we typically add a teacher from a school that has students traveling with us to help with the larger numbers. Usually there are more female than male chaperones.

We have miles that we’d like to use for the flight portion of our student’s program, is that possible?

Absolutely. Just let us know what your situation is, and we’ll make sure we get you the appropriate credits for the flight portion of the trip.

Do I get credit for the language school classes I attend?

Yes and no. Most High Schools are not offering actual high school credit for the time you spend in Costa Rica. However, some school will allow you to take an exam after you return and potentially test out of a year’s worth of Spanish classes. This is particularly an option for those students on the 4 week summer immersion program. One thing you can certainly apply to your school and club requirements is the amount of time you spend in community service projects. Students are regularly earning between 20 and 60 community service hours for the 2 and 4 week programs respectively. Additionally, if you are an IB student, you may be able to earn up to 75 CAS hours toward your graduation requirements.

Can my length of stay in Costa Rica be flexible? What if I want to stay and study in Costa Rica for 3 weeks, or more than 4 weeks?

Of course your length of stay can be adjusted. We would be happy to work out a custom itinerary with you; just give us a call! (303) 684-5557

What if we’d like to make plans to have a family vacation before or after our student does the Spanish Immersion Program with Common Ground?

Not a problem at all. Usually it’s a good idea to plan a family vacation directly after your student finishes their immersion program so that they’re able to show you around a little. We just need to know your plans as you’re submitting your student’s application, and we’ll make sure that appropriate arrangements are made. We’re happy to help you with travel suggestions as well if you’d like some ideas about nice places to spend some time with you family in Costa Rica.

Do you have any fundraising programs in place to help with the cost of the immersion program?

Yes, every year we help students who are interested raise funds for the summer immersion program. Some students raise as much as $1,400.00 toward the cost of their program. We’ll give you both individual and group fundraising ideas to work on between your application date and travel date.

Can you come to my school and make a presentation about this program?

Of course, we’d be happy to. If you would like to look into scheduling a classroom presentation at your school, just put us in contact with your Spanish teacher or your Foreign/World Languages department head and we’ll see if we can get something on the schedule. Contact us

Do you have any families or students we can contact for references?

Absolutely, give us a call and we’d be happy to supply the names of a few families who have agreed to be in touch with future families considering the program. (303) 684-5557