Costa Rica - (CRLA) Costa Rican Language Academy

During 10 weeks I was attending Spanish classes at the CRLA in San Jos�. Besides studying grammar, discussions about the world, and practicing the language, I learned a lot about Costa Rican culture, the way people live, their cuisine, their mentality. They are very friendly and helpful and at school we were like a big family. For my trips on the weekends they recommended me places to visit and did the reservations. In the afternoon we could choose between dancing, cooking and conversation class.

With my host family I felt very welcome and more like a member. During meals we spent hours of discussing, laughing and getting to know more about the other culture. I know that with my" tico" host family and the CRLA I will always have a second home.

Too many instructors/students. The advertising is very seductive but I'd choose another school--you'll wish you did. The worst part was that I became friends with one of the female instructors and in a private moment she told me that another instructor was going around telling other instructors that he had a gay student--and the student wasn't even gay--he had simply defended the right for gay couples to marry during a "current events" Spanish lesson. I sent the director a message and she never replied. Be warned--archaic, backwards, Catholic mentality is alive and well in Costa Rica!