People at ILISA
During your time at ILISA, you’ll encounter a variety of people, each contributing to the vibrant community at the school. Here’s a brief introduction to a few of the individuals you’ll meet.
The Program Director
Hellen Rojas is the Program Director at ILISA. She plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the language programs, including placing students according to their Spanish proficiency. If you have any concerns or inquiries regarding your classes or instructors, don’t hesitate to approach her. Hellen is always available to assist you.
The Teachers
The teaching staff at ILISA is made up of highly trained, experienced, and passionate educators. On the bulletin board near the entrance of the school, you’ll find a list of all the teachers along with their photos. Each teacher has been with ILISA for a considerable period of time, and we are confident you will enjoy learning with them.
Personal Safety
Like any major city, San José has its share of petty theft, though most of it is non-confrontational. Often, you won’t even realize something has happened until later. If you take basic precautions, there’s no reason to feel unsafe. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid wearing excessive jewelry or carrying valuable items; leave them in your host family’s home.
- If you carry a daypack, place valuables in the largest pocket, as it’s generally safer from pickpockets.
- Keep a firm grip on your purse.
- When setting down your bag, maintain physical contact with it (e.g., put your foot on the strap).
- Keep money in your front pockets, not your back.
- Don’t flaunt large amounts of cash.
- Stay aware of your surroundings and appear confident.
- If renting a car, take the same precautions you would at home: park in well-lit parking lots and always lock the car.
Phones
There is a phone available for student use at ILISA’s reception desk.
Public phones in Costa Rica come in three varieties. The first, the older coin-operated phones, accept silver 5, 10, and 20 colón coins. Simply place the coin in the top slot and dial; the coin will fall down when a connection is made. Additional coins placed in the slot will be used if necessary. Don’t be alarmed by the loud beeping sounds at the start of your call—they’re just part of the phone’s mechanism.
The second type, “chip” phones, accept phone cards embedded with a chip. Insert the card into the phone’s slot, and the available funds will be displayed on the screen.
Colibrí phones use pre-paid phone cards that can be purchased locally. To use them, you’ll need to enter the card number found on the back. Colibrí cards are available in small denominations for local calls and in larger ones for international calling. ILISA sells these cards.
For North Americans, the simplest way to make international calls is by bringing your calling card from home. Major companies such as AT&T, MCI, and Sprint have local access numbers, but many smaller companies do not. Additionally, 1-800 calls are treated as international calls in Costa Rica. You also won’t be able to use your calling card to call third countries (e.g., calling Peru from Costa Rica using an AT&T card is not possible).
Another alternative is making collect calls (dial 175 to reach an operator). It’s a good idea to settle payment arrangements once you return home, as person-to-person calls made through ILISA can be expensive and cumbersome.
Preparing for an Immersion Program
Studying abroad at a language school is one of the most effective ways to improve your language skills. To make the most of your time there, preparing ahead of time is crucial. For example, practicing vocabulary-building exercises before your immersion program can significantly boost your confidence. If you’re just starting, this will help you get comfortable with the language once the immersion program begins.
Here are a few helpful ideas:
- Find a native speaker of the language you’re studying and ask them to record a passage for you. Listen to the recording repeatedly until you can recite the text along with the speaker. This will help familiarize you with certain words you recognize in writing.
- Listen to your chosen text or read it right before bed. Your brain will continue processing the material while you sleep, helping reinforce it.
- Enroll in a beginner’s course at a local language school or community center. This provides a solid foundation before you embark on your immersion program, and you’ll have a chance to gauge your interest in the language.
If you’re a true beginner, purchasing a small phrasebook with an accompanying audio recording is a great idea. Aim to learn 20-30 essential phrases that will serve you in everyday situations: “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “can you help?” and so on.
Mastering these basic phrases will significantly enhance your ability to engage in simple conversations. While this won’t address every situation, it lays a solid foundation for communication.
For more advanced learners, your challenge is not so much starting from scratch but building on an already established foundation. We recommend learning common words and expressions before you depart, as many learners lack everyday vocabulary. You can’t function fully in a foreign language until you know 2,000-3,000 words—this is the amount of vocabulary a young child possesses to handle most situations.
Books, children’s stories, newspapers, and even picture postcards can be excellent resources to expand your vocabulary before leaving. Immersing yourself in new vocabulary regularly will help ensure that you’re well-equipped to handle conversations.
Many immersion programs abroad focus on conversation skills and grammar, but having a strong vocabulary is essential for meaningful interaction. The better prepared you are before you begin your immersion program, the easier it will be to navigate language learning challenges.
Quetzal
The Quetzal, often hailed as the most stunning bird in the Western Hemisphere, is renowned for its remarkable elegance and vibrant colors. The rich crimson of its underparts contrasts with the bright green of its head, chest, and back. A narrow crest of feathers crowns its head, extending from its yellow bill to the nape. The long, flowing tail feathers are perhaps its most iconic feature, extending far beyond the bird’s body and swaying gracefully as it flies. The Quetzal’s striking beauty made it a symbol of nobility for the Aztec and Mayan civilizations.
Today, the Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, chosen for its peaceful nature, in stark contrast to the fierce predators other nations have selected as symbols. Though once believed that the bird would die if deprived of freedom, modern conservationists have discovered ways to maintain its existence, disproving this myth.
Religious Services
- Baha’i: The information center is located in La Uruca, on the south side of the Catholic church (open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 231-0467).
- Baptist: The International Baptist Church of Costa Rica is at Faro del Caribe, San Francisco de Dos Ríos (237-7569; ersteel@racsa.co.cr).
- Catholic: Saint Mary’s Chapel, next to the Sheraton Herradura Hotel in San José, holds an English mass on Sundays at 4 p.m. The San Rafael de Escazú Church has an English mass on Saturdays at 5 p.m.
- Episcopal: The Church of the Good Shepherd offers English services on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. (Avenida 4, Calles 3/5; 222-1560).
- Jewish: Reform services take place at Congregation B’nei Israel on Fridays at 8 p.m. (232-9626). Conservative services are held at Shaare Zion Synagogue on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. (Calle 22 bis, Avenida 1; 233-9222).
- Methodist: Sunday services are at 10 a.m. (Avenida Central, Calles 9/11; 222-0360).
- Mormon: Sacrament meetings occur on Sundays at 9 a.m. at the temple in Barrio Los Yoses (Avenida 8, Calles 33/35; 225-0208, 234-1940).
Rip Tides
Costa Rica’s beaches are often prone to rip tides, powerful currents that can pull swimmers away from shore. A rip tide occurs when waves deposit water on the shore, forming a channel back to the open sea. These channels create strong currents that can be difficult to escape from. If caught in a rip tide, do not attempt to swim directly toward shore. Instead, swim parallel to the beach and use the energy from the waves to help you return.
Shopping
When in Costa Rica, don’t forget to buy coffee. Whether for yourself or as gifts, Costa Rican coffee is a must. While Café Britt is a popular brand, you can find good coffee at more affordable prices in local markets or grocery stores. Be sure to buy whole beans, as Costa Rican coffee is ground much finer than what you may be used to. You may also want to try Café Rica, a local coffee liqueur, and Salsa Lizano, a popular green sauce.
While Costa Rica is not renowned for handcrafts, Sarchí is a town famous for its brightly painted oxcarts, which make for unique souvenirs. Other items worth looking for include pre-Columbian gold jewelry and carved stone figurines, though the latter can be quite heavy.
Sports Viewing
Costa Rica offers plenty of places to watch sports. In San Pedro, visit All Star sports bar located near Mall San Pedro. In San José, there are several spots to catch live games, especially those airing on cable channels.
Costa Rica is huge on soccer. Therefore it is cheap and easy to see a high quality professional game live in the stadium. Check out La Nacion for details.