Learning Beyond the Classroom: My Spanish Immersion Experience in Costa Rica

In June, I spent a week in San José, Costa Rica. My professional goals for this trip were: to deepen my Spanish language skills while immersing myself in Costa Rican food, nutrition, healthcare, and culture.

As part of the experience, I completed a five-day medical immersion program. Each morning, I volunteered at an under-resourced facility serving older adults, and each afternoon, I attended private Spanish lessons. Throughout this blog series, I’ll share more about the different aspects of my experience, including Spanish language learning, food and nutrition discoveries, and lessons from my healthcare placement.

Taking My Spanish to the Next Level

I’ve been learning Spanish on and off for about three years, with a few extended breaks due to life, work, and everything in between. This year, however, I’ve been much more consistent. Between weekly conversation classes, reading, writing, and other forms of practice, I felt confident heading into the trip.

I arrived believing I could comfortably navigate the city and challenge myself to reach the next level in my Spanish journey.

Living With a Host Family

Upon arrival, I was placed with a local Costa Rican host family. They spoke only Spanish, which meant I was immediately challenged to strengthen both my listening and speaking skills.

Their home was located in a middle-class neighborhood about ten minutes from both the language school and the facility where I volunteered. From the very beginning, everyday activities became opportunities to practice.

There is always an adjustment period when entering a new environment. I remembered this from when I studied abroad at 20 years old and flew halfway across the world alone for four months. At first, there is often a moment when you wonder, “What have I done?” or “Why did I leave my comfortable bed, my car, and everything familiar?”

I definitely felt that as I sat on the top bunk, listening to our host mom explain house rules and neighborhood recommendations in rapid Costa Rican Spanish.

Still, I knew the feeling would pass. I tried to remain optimistic, get some rest, and remind myself that every difficult experience is an opportunity for me to prove to myself that I can do hard things.

The First Test

The next morning, our host family prepared a traditional breakfast of gallo pinto and eggs. Over breakfast, we talked about our plans for the day, which included orientation and our Spanish placement exam.

Thankfully, our neighbors were also exchange students, so we navigated the public transportation system together and arrived at school on time for our first day.

Once we reached campus, we completed both a general orientation and a medical immersion orientation before taking the placement exam.

Honestly, it was difficult.

The exam tested listening comprehension, grammar, speaking, and reading skills in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Much of my Spanish learning had consisted of conversational practice, reading fiction, and watching videos and movies. This assessment felt much more academic. It tested grammar rules, sentence structure, and the nuances of various Spanish verb tenses.

I remember thinking it felt like the type of exam a middle school student might take to determine placement in advanced classes.

In the end, I scored at the Intermediate II level.

One-on-One Learning

Based on my placement results, I was paired with a private instructor for one hour of daily instruction.

We spent a significant amount of time reviewing grammar—not exactly my favorite subject—but exactly what I needed. Much of our focus centered on the various past tenses, including the preterite, imperfect, and present perfect.

The lessons were challenging and intensive, but they helped me identify areas where I still need more practice, particularly with the imperfect and perfect past tenses.

Fortunately, the learning didn’t stop when class ended.

Every evening at dinner, our host family would ask us about our day. Suddenly, all those past-tense verb forms became relevant. Dinner conversations became real life learning, giving me an opportunity to apply what I had learned.

Learning Through Daily Life

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was that Spanish was everywhere.

Whether I was riding the bus, speaking with patients, ordering food, talking with my host family, or interacting with other members of the community, there was always an opportunity to listen, learn, and practice.

Language learning moved beyond textbooks and worksheets. It became part of everyday life.

One thing that surprised me was how comfortable I felt using Spanish in the healthcare setting. In some ways, discussing health and nutrition felt easier than making casual conversation on the street. There was context. I knew the topics we were discussing, the questions I needed to ask, and the information I was looking for.

Many medical terms felt familiar because they closely resemble their English counterparts. Conditions like diabetes and hypertension are discussed using terminology that was recognizable, and even the structure of medical documentation felt similar to what I use in my work as a dietitian. SOAP format is SOAP across borders.

When speaking with patients, the conversations were often straightforward and focused. I was asking simple questions, gathering information, and discussing topics related to health and daily living.

The experience gave me confidence in my ability to apply Spanish in a professional setting one day. While I still have plenty to learn, I left Costa Rica feeling encouraged by how much I was able to understand, communicate, and contribute. I’ll share more about those experiences in a future post focused on my healthcare placement.

A Moment of Gratitude

On one of my final days in Costa Rica, I hiked to the La Paz waterfall. As I stood there taking in the view, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to have such an immersive experience.

As a first-generation college graduate, I often think about the sacrifices made by the generations before me. My great-grandfather had to leave school after the third grade and spoke very little English. Because of the foundation that he and others built, I have the opportunity not only to pursue higher education but also to learn an entirely new language and explore the world.

That realization stayed with me throughout the trip.

As I seek new adventures, continue learning, and explore different cultures, I never forget the people whose sacrifices made those opportunities possible.

I am because they were.