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René T.
Lively, Ontario
Student: 1997 / 2005 / 2007 / 2009

"I first attended Conversa in April, 1997 for five weeks when I retired. Since then, I’ve returned six more times for three week periods.

What stands out in my mind is the professionalism displayed by the personnel, namely the office staff, the teaching staff, and the support staff which includes: kitchen, housekeeping, grounds, drivers and others. Everyone is competent in his/her own field. Added to this is the friendliness of all involved. I enjoyed my stays in La Casona. Rooms were cleaned everyday, and the nutritious meals were prepared with care by able cooks.

The teachers show a lot of patience and understanding in dealing with students, many of whom may have been away from the books for a long while. They are dedicated to their profession, and are openly willing to offer assistance to those in need.. The Director’s sessions on Wednesday afternoons are popular since they provide a thorough review of verbs and grammar.

The location of Conversa is quite special. It is nestled about half way up a mountain in a sort of funnel. The view of the Central Valley from the school is awe inspiring especially at night. One can see airplanes arriving to and departing from the main airport of San Jose. Across the valley, in the evening, there is a great view of the lights of small towns and one in particular called Grecia. The “Y” shape of its street lights cannot go unnoticed.

The Conversa grounds are well cared for by staff who take a personal interest in ensuring the beauty of the place. There is an abundance of vegetation and flora, not to mention the fruit bearing orange trees. One cannot ignore the number of different bird species that call Conversa home.

Finally, there is a challenging trail over the mountain that takes you to the village of Santa Ana. This hike will do wonders for your health."