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Stephen M.
Santa Fe, NM
Group Leader - Multiple occasions

I have been teaching high school Spanish for over thirty years, and I believe strongly in authentic learning experiences for my students. A decade ago, I began to take them to Conversa, and I have never regretted the decision. Not only do students have the time of their life immersing themselves in the manifold natural wonders of Costa Rica; they also have the advantage of attending an excellent language school with trained teachers, living with families and practicing their Spanish "at home" as well as in class. The administrative staff at Conversa is the best I have seen in my travels to Costa Rica and other Central American countries. At some schools, you pay your money and are left to your devices if things don't work out with a family. At Conversa, this is never the case. The "TLC" is so responsible and reliable, that I have, on a couple of occasions, sent more mature students down on their own to study.

The Conversa campus, on a steep hillside in Santa Ana (20 minutes outside of San José), is spectacular; the atmosphere is serious but informal, with lots of opportunities for fun, from birthday parties for students, to trips to the market with teachers. If you are looking for an authentic experience for your students in a Spanish-speaking country, I urge you to take a serious look at Conversa. As a language-learning, cultural immersion package, it is hard to beat!

Stephen M. Machen, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Languages
Santa Fe Preparatory School
Santa Fe, NM