Students sharing their experiences

You may be wondering, "What is it like? What will the real experience be? What kind of students join ILISA?" Read about the experiences of people who have been here on our 'students talk' page.

Scott Christofferson, a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, studied at ILISA for 4 weeks. Thorwald Westmaas, ILISA director, spoke with him over lunch during his last day of classes regarding his experience with us.

Scott's primary motivation for studying Spanish was his love of the language and travel, although the encouragement of his Spanish-speaking friends and the hope that it might open up greater opportunities on the job were also factors. He had taken an intensive Spanish program at Yale while studying law but recognizes that "you have to maintain your skills." After taking the bar exam he had some time off before returning to consulting work at McKinsey so he started looking on-line for an immersion program abroad. "Since I've worked and lived overseas before, I know that in-country study is really very effective. Several of my friends have been to Costa Rica and they all raved about it, so that's where I focused my search."

Scott reviewed language school websites, then narrowed the decision to several schools. "Your website is in a league of its own, but even better, it was backed up by a very responsive registrar. I asked a lot of questions and would often get an answer the same day. Once I asked about the student composition at ILISA and I got an Excel spreadsheet back with graphs and everything. Pretty cool." Since Scott was an advanced student, he was concerned that the program might not offer classes for higher levels. "I checked out your reference list and the feedback of former students helped me make my final decision for ILISA. The funny thing is that after I registered, I found out that two more of my Yale classmates were going to ILISA."

Scott continues, "I really enjoyed the study program. I had previously seen almost all the grammar stuff, so my main goal was to improve my fluency and build my vocabulary, especially in the area of business, management and finance. I took the Group-4 plus program and my afternoon teachers would bring articles and stories about topics of my area interest and skillfully, almost playfully, create a very effective learning process. For homework, I would read the newspaper business section and bring my own articles to class. Time flew by!"

"Of course, I also learned new grammar structures like the imperfect subjunctive but the real improvement is my enhanced fluency and vocabulary: Before, I could watch a TV program in Spanish and understand only snippets. Now I can really follow them. I think that's a very good result for 4 weeks of study."

"Costa Rica didn't disappoint me either. The people are genuinely friendly. I stayed with a big host family and we would chat for hours. Talking with the 22-year old son also gave me a vocabulary I didn't learn at ILISA. Needless to say that in a country like Costa Rica, you have more places to visit than weekends to travel. Luckily, the office staff was always there to help us set up weekend travel arrangements, get us a rental car, hotel reservations, etc., so that part went a smoothly as possible."

Scott was looking for a program that was both serious and enjoyable. He says he found both at ILISA

Ray Wilson, T-bird '91, studied at ILISA in the spring of 1999 and had this to say:

Looking around ILISA's new facilities and the open-air café and listening to the students from around the world improve their Spanish language skills; it's easy to think you're on the T-bird campus.

Before choosing Costa Rica and ILISA I talked to my T-bird friends, did an extensive web search and exchanged a lot of e-mails with different schools. It boiled down to just a couple of programs, but without a doubt ILISA offered the most impressive program with the right "Can Do!" attitude in response to all my questions and requests.

From my first e-mail until the time I finished the program, the administrative staff was terrific at making my stay a total success. Whether it's about your homestay, your class schedule or your weekend travel plans, there is someone available to give you an experienced hand. The new facilities in San Pedro underscore ILISA's commitment. The classrooms, meeting rooms, on-campus restaurant and computer labs are all conducive to learning Spanish. And, being in San Pedro, you can get to just about anywhere in the country for the weekend.

The professors, a different one each week, are all top-notch professionals with years of experience. They work hard and have a lot of fun in helping you learn and improve your Spanish from whatever level you begin. I had absolutely no prior training and in 5 weeks I was amazed at my progress.

As I traveled around Costa Rica I met many students attending other Spanish immersion programs. No one seemed as totally satisfied with his or her program as I am with ILISA. I highly recommend ILISA.

Hank M. Goldberg, Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles, California wrote this letter to us about his experience at ILISA:

I just wanted to thank you and let the staff at ILISA know what a great experience I had attending your program in Costa Rica. The quality of the instructors, the lesson plans, and the learning environment were all superlative. Unfortunately, I was not able to stay as long as I would have liked. However, in only two weeks, I was able to significantly advance my Spanish language skills. As a Deputy District Attorny with Los Angeles County, speaking Spanish is now almost an essential.

Also, the homestay experience was excellent. The family was exceptionally nice, and they greatly enhanced the learning process. thanks again.

Kindest personal regards,

Hank M. Goldberg

Edward Alexander, Ph.D. (Captain, USN, Ret) shares his experience at ILISA:
I spent thirty years as a Naval Officer, in Nuclear Submarines, and after retirement went back and got a Ph.D. in mathematics. I now teach at the University of Arizona. I guess that gives me a little more life experience, and a somewhat more demanding attitude towards things. I am learning Spanish because it is useful in Tucson, and I teach content courses to pre-service elementary teachers. I am interested in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

The teaching at ILISA, albeit of a different subject, is impressive. The first step is placement; what you learn builds on what you know. My class is challenging but not overwhelming -- they were right on target. By design there's a new teacher every week. People express themselves just a little differently, and the change improves your comprehension. The transition was flawless. Without being told, I know the two teachers did a meticulous turnover. Teaching is a carefully crafted enterprise here. There is a lot of conversation, and so we make a lot of mistakes. Their treatment is creative; the territory around the mistake is explored until the student develops a clear picture of the linguistic structure, so that the same mistake is less likely in the future. I'm trying to figure out how to use this technique in my own teaching. There's a sign at a local college down the road which says, "Serious Commitment." The same applies to ILISA. If you come with a commitment to learn, you'll be met with an equal commitment to teach.

And it is fun! There are afternoon trips to interesting places, all in Spanish, and you walk away saying, "Hey, I understood that!!!" The home stay, people, society, sights, music, natural surroundings are all about what the brochure said. I've made empanadas in someone's home, danced salsa, been to a family birthday party. I've had gallons of truly superior coffee, and eaten way too much truly superior food. This is the best liberty port I have ever seen. I'll go home with lots of great memories, and much more Spanish than I came with. ILISA has my unqualified recommendation. I do not see how this sort of experience can be improved. I hope to be back next year to build on what I learned this year.

Editor's Note: Edward returned to ILISA for a second course in June 1999.

Hello fellow Wannabe Spanish Speakers:

I was going through the ILISA page to refer a couple of friends and I realized that I never posted myself as a reference. After a decade of work, I studyed in a well respected "International MBA" program. Conversational and Business fluency are required for our graduation. With that perspective, among other things I would say about ILISA are:

1) I was enjoyably well prepared for my School,

2) ILISA exceeded my expectations, especially in its variety of professional instructors, capable administrators, and extraordinatrily well-appointed facilities. I had special needs and they designed a program with THEIR methods to meet MY objectives,

3) I never imagined a better BLEND of professionalism AND spontaneous vitality,

4) By personally recommending people I know, I put my credibility a lot more on line than just writing this posting.

In short, this is a glowing endorsment. Which is not to say all was perfect, but it was as they say "a bargain at twice the price" Questions? email me: NorrisTrev@aol.com. Trevor Norris - ILISA, class 2001

Jeffry Hansen, a police officer from Troutdale, Oregon shares his thoughts on ILISA:
Hi, my name is Jeff Hansen, I'm a former student at ILISA. I was looking over the responses from former students of the school and just wanted to send a quick 'me too' regarding my experience.

I also had the life experience I will never forget! The country, the culture, the people, my instructors, (oh how they suffered with me), and the school as a whole. I think of the experience and the people that made it the best with fond memories and dream of a time when I can return to continue my studies.

I was able to return to my police duties and relate with Latinos in a much improved fashion and am repeatedly called to assist my fellow officers with obtaining information. I would recommend this school to anyone for the 'total experience.'

Claudia Frigo from Zug, Switzerland writes:
Ich verbrachte hier vier Wochen in der Schule. Ich habe dabei viel gelernt. Die Schule ist wirklich super und sehr gut organisiert. Die Lehrer sind alle sehr nett und auch die Leute im Buero sind ebenfalls sehr zuvorkommend, hilfsbereit und flexibel. Die Schule bietet auch sehr gute Ausfluege an, z.B. Vulkanbesuche, Museumsfuehrung sowie Tanzkurse. Die Host-Familien werden sehr genau ausgesucht. Ich kann diese Schule auf jeden Fall nur jedem weiterempfehlen, der gerne in einem schoenen Land und einer guten Schule mit vielen tollen anderen Studenten spanisch lernen moechte.

Hola, mi nombre es Claudette- "La Bahama Mama," y soy de las Bahamas, un grupo de setecientos islas y cayos, un poco al sur este de Florida, dondé hay mucho sol todo el año y miles de playas con arenas blancas y mars azules y claros como cristal.

Hace cinco semanas cuando yo vine a Costa Rica para vaccaciones - Sí, algunas vaccaciones, porque tuve tareas casi todos los noches, y vocabulario y verbos- regulares y iregulares- y por supuesto necestite dormir todos los noches tambien.

Costa Rica es muy hermosa y la gente igual. Es muy simular a las Bahamas, la gente, las comidas y a veces el clima. Sin embargo, el clima todavía me confundo.

Traigo conmigo muchos buenos recuerdos, como mi experiencia del martes de la semana pasada, despues del temblar, neccesité beber; por suerte tuve una botella de agua- ¡Gracias a Dios!

Yo sé que todos las familias "ticas" son especial, no hay bastante palabras para decir gracias a ellos.

Yo quiero decir muchas gracias, Primero a los empleados de la oficina, muchas gracias por todos, ellas son profesionales y mas eficiente- muy amables tambien.

A mis professores, muchas gracias por ayudarme, por su paciencia y sus palabras de aliento. Irán mi "Primero y ultimo" - Professor, por supuesto. Antonio- "Paz y Amor," por favor no muerte el Indio. Azalea- tú fuiste una piedra preciosa- mi sola profesora femina, y Raimy- "Claro Claudette??" Por supuesto Raimy, ¡claro como el lodo!

Y mis amigos, David mi amigo primero en Costa Rica, muchs gracias para almorzar en los restaurantes my amables y nuestros conversaciones muy interesantes. Derron, nosotros tuvimos muchas oportunidades de compartir nuestros corazons, es buena suerte. Rosana, mi amiga nueva estuvo corta y dulce, y tambien a mis numeroso otros amigos - buena suerte. Y finalamente los empleados de la cafeteria que salvaron mi vida muchs dias-¡ Buena suerte! mi amigo Enrique.

Hay una lugar cerca de mi corazon por todos. Cuando crecía mi Mama simpre dizo "Nunca diga Adios - es final, diga Hasta Luego... Dios Bendiga a todos ustedes.