Meet a Couple of Our Host Families

Doña Blanca Aguilar
For the last eight years, Doña Blanca Aguilar has warmly welcomed students into her home, and her infectious smile and good humor have made a lasting impression on many.

Blanca fondly remembers a particular student, Linci, who was a teenager the same age as her daughter. “During the weeks Linci stayed with us, she became another daughter to me,” Blanca recalls. She also fondly recalls her time with Felicia and Sheila, students closer to her age, with whom she shared outings, including a visit to the Rain Forest Aerial Tram. “What a treat!” she says.

While Blanca encourages her students to speak only Spanish during their stay, she admits that her daughter, Florita, who takes English classes, often helps out when needed. “In the first few days, especially, Florita is a real help with the language,” Blanca shares.

Blanca’s husband, always eager to lend a hand, helps students navigate their first days in Costa Rica by showing them around San José. “He gets along particularly well with the male students. They usually talk about soccer… that’s why the women students spend more time with me!” Blanca laughs.

For Blanca, welcoming students into her home not only provides more quality time with her family, but it also allows her to share her Costa Rican culture in a way that would be harder to do if she worked outside the home.

Don Luis & Doña Rosibel
Don Luis and Doña Rosibel have been a cherished ILISA host family for over 10 years, making them the longest-standing family in the program. Rosibel fondly remembers the early days of ILISA, when it was just a small rented building with two classrooms, two teachers, and a director, Thorwald Westmaas, who did everything from airport pickups to cleaning the building. Since then, the school has grown significantly, with three buildings, over 30 custom-built classrooms, nearly 20 full-time teachers, and a full staff, but Rosibel and Luis say that the caliber of students and the progress they make has remained consistently remarkable. “They’re wonderful, and the progress they make is incredible. We can see a difference even after just one week!” says Rosibel.

Rosibel started hosting students because of her love for cooking. “I don’t like cooking just a little,” she says with a smile. “I enjoy cooking for my family, but I wanted to share it with others.” Students frequently ask her for her famous gallo pinto and arroz con pollo recipes, but she also loves experimenting with new dishes, bringing a variety of Costa Rican flavors to the table. At dinner, the conversation flows freely, covering everything from cultural traditions and holidays to families, work, social life, and of course, food.

Over the past decade, Rosibel and Luis have hosted a diverse range of students, coming from various backgrounds, races, religions, and sexual orientations. They have embraced the diversity of their students, learning from each one and ensuring that everyone has a positive and enriching experience in Costa Rica.

These two wonderful families are just a glimpse of the welcoming homes that await you during your homestay experience with ILISA. You’ll find that staying with a local family provides not only a place to rest but also a chance to connect with the culture, improve your language skills, and build lasting friendships.