Interaction With The Community

A very accessible segment of the Costa Rican community can be found right on the Institute campus, where students interact daily with office and maintenance staff, guards, kinder workers and concessionaires. The presence of approximately 50 Latin employees on campus provides a great opportunity not only to practice Spanish, but also to form lasting friendships. The key to taking advantage of this rich resource is to resist the temptation to speak only with other students when outside of class and/or fall back on English when interacting with staff.

The FARO community language learning program gives students the opportunity to practice Spanish off campus in real life situations. In FARO, students are introduced to vocabulary, dichos (sayings), traditions, customs and points of view of Costa Ricans and other Latins from a variety of walks of life.

Singles and couples without children who choose to live with a Costa Rican family have the unique privilege of experiencing their host culture from the “inside” and not only as an outside observer. Again, the key is to make an effort to enter into family life through conversation and participation in family activities.

Since the evangelical community is a sub grouping within the broader Costa Rican community, it is important for students to become active in a local church to better understand the attitudes, needs and beliefs of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Participation need not be limited to worship on Sundays but can include mid-week fellowship, prayer and even ministry. The amount of Spanish one knows is not nearly as important as the willingness to show interest and offer support by simply being present.

A patriotic assembly in the gymnasium.