Conversa News - April, 2009

Santa Ana's Gray Water Project

Santa Ana's maintenance staff has been busy in recent months working on a project to capture wastewater from sinks, showers, and washing machines throughout campus and directing it through a filtration system of stone, sand, and carbon to storage tanks. We then pump that water through a sprinkler system to water plants and lawns throughout the property. The system has been in place for several weeks now and is providing much needed irrigation. Without this system, it would be almost impossible to water the grounds because of the short supply of well water during the dry season.

ConversaConmigo Is Growing

Our online Spanish program is starting to catch on. The number of students is steadily increasing. In fact, several of our onliners are former Santa Ana and San José students who are now taking advantage of this unique one-on-one service, along with some of the new incentives that we are now offering.
Ever since launching ConversaConmigo one year ago, we've offered grammar lessons written by Dave Kaufman and weekly workshops and lectures by our instructors. By the way, these workshops and lectures can be downloaded and played back again and again. Now, as of March, 2009, we are incorporating two NEW features: a Grammar Q & A Corner and the Santa Ana Chat Room. The latter provides ConversaConmigo students with the opportunity to speak live with our Santa Ana language staff (Nuria, Chico, Emilce, Amira). You can jump in and chat with them on Wednesday afternoons and polish your conversation skills.
If you haven't already done so, please take a look at the many advantages that ConversaConmigo now offers (www.conversaconmigo.com).

Galería 1900

Here at Conversa we're happy to announce the opening of our Galería 1900, a wonderful display of photographs taken throughout Costa Rica during the early 1900's. These photos, taken from two books by "Manuel Gómez Miralles," portray both urban and rural scenes from Costa Rica's 7 provinces. Although we'd love to see you down here, you won't have to come to Costa Rica to get a look - we're planning on featuring a photo every month in this newsletter for your enjoyment! That is, if we're able to get the green light from the author first...

Para dónde va?

We're always looking for ways to enhance our students' experience at Conversa. Our latest project: La Estación. Students and teachers will now have a great new way to practice their Spanish in an ever-so-important situation - travel! Whether you're going to San José on a public bus or taking a little prop-plane to Corcovado National Park, you're not getting there for free - and you're probably going to have to communicate with a few folks along the way. La Estación provides a neat stage for students to learn the ropes before that weekend trip!

La Cabaña Open to Students

In early 2007, Conversa's Administrative Director, Andy Kaufman and his wife Irene moved into La Cabaña, a small and cozy lodge on Conversa's campus. Their daughter Sara joined them up there in October of that same year. Now the Kaufman's are moving to their new home in Santa Ana (finally!) and La Cabaña is open for business! This is truly a wonderful little lodge - ideal for a family looking to take a language vacation together. La Cabaña has two rooms, each with its own bath, a small living room and kitchen, and a beautiful deck - perfect for doing homework while keeping a close eye on the birds! (http://www.conversa.com/cabana.html)

An Unusual Visitor

Believe it or not, Edgar (Sibaja) took this photo right inside Pulpería Doña Anita! It's a garrobo! You usually find this species near the coasts. However, somehow this curious fellow made its way over 1,000 meters up into the mountains of the Central Valley... Thanks for getting the photos Edgar! In case you were worried about what happened next, the garrobo wandered off into the mountains behind the campus...

Conversa News
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2009 Calendar
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Conversa.COM is finally here!
It's been a long time in the making, but we've finally done it! Conversa.com is... More...