Host Families: AZ San Jose

Participants are encouraged to live with Costa Rican Families. The Spanish school takes great care in selecting Costa Rican families who will welcome you warmly, familiarize you with the Costa Rican way of life, and give you every opportunity to practice speaking the language. Most houses are within a 20 minute bus ride from the school, while a few are within walking distance. Hotel, hostel, or apartment accommodations are also available upon request.

A person from your host family, holding a homemade sign with your name on it, will pick you up at the Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica. If your flight comes in after 9:30 p.m., a representative will meet you. Be sure the Institute has been notified of the day and time of your arrival. The return to the airport for your departure is on your own account.

On the first day, a member of your host family will be responsible for bringing you to classes until you feel comfortable and have learned how to find your way to The Institute and back to the host family home.

You will be given breakfast and dinner at your host home. The breakfasts tend to consist of eggs, "gallo pinto", bread and coffee. Cereal peanut butter and such items are very expensive and are not usually found on the table. For a selection of the types of meals you'll receive at dinnertime, look under the "Food" section.

If you are going to be late for your evening meal, or not coming in at all, please remember to phone your family. In addition to being the courteous thing to do, its lets the homemaker whether to prepare your meal and keep it warm, leave it in the refrigerator, or not make anything for you that evening.

Laundry service is also included in the package. It is essential that, upon your arrival, you find out what are the customs for doing laundry in the particular household and let your housemother know what are the specifics about your clothing. For example: which cloth should be ironed and which shouldn't, about bleach, and the items that can't be machine-washed. Undergarments and lingerie are your responsibility.

All homes have hot water in the showers; however, 95% of these use what is known as a "thermo-heat". You adjust the temperature of the water by how much water pressure you let out. The less water that comes out the hotter it gets and vices versa. There might be a switch on the wall that connects this system. Due to the tropical climate, showers are used instead of tubs.

Each family has been asked to supply you with a house key so you may come and go freely. However, it is appreciated if you inform your host family if you are to be away for the weekend or coming late. It is common to have a person come in to help with the cleaning of the house. If you plan to have a visitor, be sure to let your housemother know and see if it is all right with her.

Make a good first impression on your host family

Words of wisdom from past students:

• Bring a suitable inexpensive gift from your country to your host family.
• Learn the family members' names and favorite topics of conversation.
• Inquire about "house rules" for use of bath, kitchen and television.
• Learn and respect mealtime hours and special family observances.
• Read the family's newspapers and magazines to share their interests.
• Keep your bedroom tidy and presentable, particularly before going out.
• Try all of the family's food at least once. If you can't handle any particular item, tactfully inform your host mother and suggest an alternative.
• Inquire about house Key(s) and preferred "curfew" hours.
• Ask your Costa Rican family for suggestions about places to go and things to do. If you are invited to go out with members of your family, go at least once.
• Offer to go "Dutch" if you are invited places with members of your Costa Rican family, especially to bars, restaurants, cinemas, sporting events, or places where discretionary income may be limited. Most Costa Ricans are generous with guests, even if it hurts their budget.
• Avoid asking direct questions of your family members about their political, religious, or philosophical views until you become better acquainted than you will be during the fist weeks.

On speaking Spanish

The following are some suggestions for improving your ability with the Spanish language:

• Speak Spanish as much as possible: at home, at the Institute and with friends.
• Don't be shy about making mistakes. Most people are quite patient and helpful. In fact, most of them feel honored that you should want to learn their language.
• Keep a notebook of new words. Whenever you hear a word you don't know, write it down. It then becomes more familiar. You might want to divide a notebook into categories, i.e. adjectives, nouns, prepositions, and prepositional phrases, etc.
• Review your grammar: verb tenses (especially the subjunctive), gender of nouns and accordance of articles and adjectives with nouns, prepositions and prepositional phrases, etc.
• Use an all Spanish dictionary: you'll learn more in the long run. It will take longer at first, but your vocabulary will increase rapidly. An inexpensive one can be purchased in Costa Rica.
• Expose yourself to Spanish dictionary listen to conversations and the radio, watch Costa Rican television, read newspapers and magazines. The greater the exposure, the faster you will learn.

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