Costa Rica is a tiny country about the size of West Virginia in the United States. Because of that, it may not really even be on your radar when you think of places to study Spanish. You might be gravitating toward more conventional choices like Spain or Mexico, but Costa Rica is an amazing place to study as well. Here’s why you might want to consider studying abroad, and especially in Costa Rica.
The Power of Immersion
There are a lot of drawbacks to learning in a tiny little classroom in the comfort of your own hometown. Mainly, you lack the opportunity to use the language you’ve practiced in real situations.
School classroom situations are carefully manufactured and while useful, they are no substitute for the real thing. Also, in a lot of cases, you simply can’t go outside and use the language that you’ve learned, meaning you’re likely to forget it. We call that being in “the bubble.” You learn the language in your little bubble and then go outside and speak English the rest of the day (or week in some cases), popping that little Spanish bubble.
In a place like Costa Rica, where the language is spoken naturally, you can reinforce what you learn in class by going out among the people and using the language, further cementing it in your mind. You also get the chance to experience real language, which is often vastly different from the language being used in the textbook. Face it, how many times have you used “This is a pen” or “Hello, how do you do?” in your daily life speaking English? Well, that’s a downfall of the language learning industry. That’s why you need to get out there and experience “real language” how the locals use it. And that’s why taking Spanish classes in Costa Rica that combine immersion in the community with teachable moments in class is an ideal learning method.
Natural Beauty
Costa Rica is a country rich in natural beauty and a great place to go to experience something truly different and amazing.
The country is known for its beautiful natural hot springs, supplied by the country’s volcanic landscape, and its astonishing wildlife and scenery. Among the things to see include waterfalls, volcanoes, and the expansive rainforest.
Arenal Volcano, for instance, is a gorgeous hike that can be supplemented with an amazing zip lining or rafting experience. There are also an abundance of national parks, both inland and seaside, that allow you to take in the beautiful sights, see amazing animals like the famous sea turtles, and just relax. The natural beauty of Costa Rica is unmatched, and is definitely a very attractive point to studying abroad there.
The Experience of a Lifetime
Studying abroad is an experience you will carry with you for a lifetime. It will shape you in more ways than you can possibly even imagine as you sit reading this blog post.
Take it from a seasoned language learner and study abroad aficionado, a chance to immerse yourself in a vastly different culture will change for perspective and alter your life and your way of looking at the world for the better. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start your new adventure in Costa Rica. It’ll be an experience to treasure for a lifetime.
Contributed by Nick Bartholomew
