Travel and FamilyStay Program

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Costa Rica 2007
Travel and Family-Stay Program Language
Friendship, Inc.
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About Señora Snyder Roberts

• OHS Spanish Teacher for 10 years, live in
  Northfield with husband and two sons
• Graduated from St. Cloud State University and
  working on Masters Degree in Spanish through
  MSU-Mankato
• Studied abroad in Spain for 5 months
• Student taught and traveled extensively in Costa
  Rica for 2 months
• Traveled to Mexico and throughout Europe
• Chaperoned student trip to Spain in 1998 with
  Mrs. Ingvaldson through Language and Friendship

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About Señora Richard

• OHS Spanish
• teacher since 1984
• BA and MA degrees
• from Western Illinois
• University
• Lived in Puerto Rico
• for 4 years

• Visited Cuba and Mexico
• Spent 1 month in Panama
• Traveled to Europe

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Why Costa Rica?

• Have wanted to return ever since traveling there
  in 1996
• Wonderful people, atmosphere, so much to see and
  do!

• Want to offer students the chance to experience
  this beautiful country and its people!

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Facts about Costa Rica

• Located between Nicaragua and Panama, borders
  Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean
• Name means Rich Coast
• Switzerland of Central America-Peaceful with no
  formal army

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Un poco más

• Basically stable economy-Tourism, agriculture and
  electronics exports
• 4 million people, 96 literacy rate
  (highest in Cent. Am.)
• Ecologically-minded many biological reserves
  protecting great amount of wilderness and
  wildlife

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Why go?

• Linguistic values (to practice your español!)
• Cultural values
• Friendships with people from another country
• Awareness of a world of different ideas and
  concepts outside the U.S.
• Growth in life skills
• Self-reliance
• Self-confidence
• Responsibility of being away from parents

Fruit for sale in San José
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Language Friendship

• Mission To provide meaningful intercultural
  opportunities through short-term travel and
  family-stay programs abroad as well as through
  hosting opportunities in the U.S.
• Work closely and carefully with teachers to
  create programs whose focus is learning, not a
  simple tour
• Over 100 years of combined experience, integrity,
  value, concern for students, custom tailoring and
  personal service
• Qualified, experienced staff with degrees in
  world languages
• Personal experiences with family stays and
  leading students abroad

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Sample Program Itinerary

• 15 days
• 1 day flight to San José
• 2 days San José
• 3 days regional visits
• 6 days family stay
• 2 days beach/other regional visits
• 1 day flight to U.S.

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Volcanes
Volcán Poás
Volcán Arenal
Volcán Irazú
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Playas
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Otras vistas de Costa Rica
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(No Transcript)
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Family Stay

• One student per family
• Best chance to work on Spanish
• Offers a unique and rewarding experience
• Chance to participate in family meals
  activities, visit schools
• Opportunity to make lifelong friendships
• Natural to feel hesitant or fearful
• Coordinators work hard to ensure good matches
• Group leaders will be available by phone
• Students responsibility to call right away with
  concerns
• Students say family stay was their favorite part

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PRICE2095-2295 Includes

• Roundtrip airfare
• All hotel accommodations, including continental
  breakfast
• Tourist-type hotels
• 3-4 to a room
• 6 dinners
• Certified ecological guide to accompany group
• Airport transfers and motorcoach transportation
  outside of San José

• Family-stay arrangements
• All meals included
• Host families are not paid, but teachers/
  coordinators are paid for time and expenses of
  phone, gas, etc.
• Most entrance fees
• Medical insurance and limited trip cancellation
• Leaders on a 1 to 8-10 basis
• Extensive leader and student prep. materials

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Price
Payment schedule

• Range price given due to variables
• Exchange rates
• Airfare
• Number of students
• Final price announced in early February
• Savings chart on page 3 is helpful
• Fundraising options available

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Eligibility/Expectations

• Expectations
• All program expectations are on page 7 of the
  application booklet
• Respect, maturity, flexibility and responsibility
  are some highlights
• Absolutely no drinking, smoking or other drugs
• Going out alone is not permitted
• Program participation is a privilege, not a right
• You are embassadors of your country!

• Eligibility
• Must have completed 2 semesters of Spanish by
  next June
• Preferably have taken some Spanish during the
  2006-2007 school year
• Maintain good academic standing, especially in
  Spanish
• Excellent health (must be able to self-manage any
  health conditions)
• Record of good attendance and respectful behavior
  in school and community

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How do I apply?

• Instructions are on page 4 of booklet, loose
  white form is the actual application
• Read and follow directions very carefully, as
  application will be returned to you if not
  completed correctly
• Fill out application neatly, using black ink and
  legal name (as it would appear on your passport)
  READ RELEASE FORM! Dont forget
  signatures!!!
• Add 3 three recent pictures of yourself (head
  shot)
• Write neat, original letter to your host family
  in Spanish (First impressions count!!)
• Paper clip the above items with check made out to
  Language Friendship and give to Mrs. Roberts

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Other details

• Passports
• MUST HAVE ONE! Cannot board plane without it!!
• Websites on page 6
• Apply soon, may take 6-8 weeks to get a passport
• Passport photos
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Non-US citizens will need more time
• Travel Safety/Trip Cancellation
  Protection/Accident Health Insurance (p. 6)
• Packing
• Student Guidebook will be sent out with
  suggestions and tips
• Travel light!
• Ideas for gift ideas for host family, too
• Questions????

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GRACIAS!Thank you for your time!!

• We look forward to traveling to Costa Rica with
  you and creating wonderful memories!!!
• Call 507-645-1302
• with questions

PURA VIDA!