Testimonials:

Kaleigh Edwards
This trip exceeded all of my expectations! The 6-week combo with Common Ground not only boosted my confidence in Spanish but also helped me grow so much personally. The people I met during this trip became family. It was such a life-changing experience—I seriously can’t recommend it enough!

Carlie Young
I learned a lot and had a great time

Julia Blair
In July 2025 I was a 3 week participant in the Adult Immersion program and it was an all around wonderful experience for me. My goals were to become more proficient in Spanish language and to experience the Costa Rican culture living with a family, volunteering/teaching children, and traveling on weekends to fun destinations! I accomplished that and so much more! I was matched according to my needs/desire with a family close to the Lapa Verde School. I enjoyed my advanced Spanish classes, mostly learning and discussing the history, geography, culture of CR, and optional dance and cooking classes. My volunteer activity doing crafts with children of the Guarani shantytown and teaching 2nd graders at the Colegio Bilingüe Yurrusti private school were meaningful and filled my heart with joy! I also loved learning about CR coffee, chocolate and animals being rehabilitated at Cafe Britta, Sibú Chocolate, and Toucan Rescue Ranch during the morning tours-tastings, however the highlights of my trip were the 3 well organized weekends traveling, exploring, learning and having fun at Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast, La Fortuna-Arenal, and Tortuguero on the Caribbean coastline where I was able to travel the canals to see wildlife up close and personal, enjoyed the lovely setting and service at the Laguna Lodge, and witnessed a sea turtle lay her eggs in her nest on the beach! I highly recommend this trip where all details have been handled by CGI, and participants are able to relax and enjoy the best that Costa Rica has to offer!

Timothy Cerny
The CGI Spanish Immersion Program is a fantastic way to improve your Spanish language skills while learning about another country (Costa Rica in my case) and opportunities to connect in a very genuine way with the people of the country. Additionally, the excursion opportunities allow one to see a wide sample of the country including both Pacific and Gulf coasts as well as the central volcanic region. The Spanish instruction (4 hours a day at a level highly customized to one’s abilities) is superb. The experience with the host families is very rich – I don’t know how you could do that with other kinds of tours. The service opportunity was very meaningful working with an organization with deep ties to a community in need. Also, the relationships you build with the leadership team and your fellow class mates is deep, inspiring and meaningful. The experience stands alone in my life.

Samuel Dickerson
This program was amazing. I started with almost no ability to speak Spanish, and progressed to being able to conduct basic conversations about my plans, experiences and opinions on things in Spanish. I met the most kind and wonderful people, both with the families that hosted us, the instructors at the schools we attended, and the group leadership with Common Ground. This program helps you to push you own limits in terms of language learning and in discovering and sharing in the cultures of the countries that host us. The experience is phenomenal.

Jaye Andrews
My wife and I recently returned home after spending an amazing two weeks in July 2025 participating in Common Ground’s program in Santo Domingo, Costa Rica. We feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered Common Ground’s website back in the summer of 2024 while searching for a Spanish language immersion program. Common Ground, founded over twenty years ago, is still personally run by its founders, Leslie and Rory Foster—a husband and wife team from Colorado who met while studying Spanish in graduate school. Their program is impressively professional, thoughtfully curated, and carefully organized. It combines language classes, community engagement, host family living, and meaningful service learning in a truly unique and impactful way. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of Spanish proficiency (I would consider myself an advanced beginner), but what unites everyone is a shared passion for learning, a supportive attitude, and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting through language. The people this program attracts are not only committed learners, but also kind, encouraging, and engaging individuals. This is not a touristy or “bougie” experience. Santo Domingo—a working, middle-class town just a few miles from San José, the capital—is where the program is home-based, centered around a charming local Spanish school called Lapa Verde. The town feels safe and walkable, with local cafes, grocery stores, and restaurants frequented by residents, not tourists. It offers an authentic, everyday Costa Rican experience.

Andrea Andrews
This is a program crafted by teachers that provides very clear goals, objectives, and activities for someone seeking a valuable learning experience. Rory and Leslie’s commitment to a complete Spanish immersion experience is not only defined on their website, but it is intentionally, thoughtfully, and authentically practiced throughout your experience. Their mission of building bridges through language and community involvement is one felt every step of the way. The Common Ground team is full of talented and experienced teachers. But it is also full of people that whole-heartedly believe in a complete immersion experience and who are ready to guide, support, encourage, and motivate you along your journey. Through Common Ground’s detailed pre-departure classes, I felt ready and more importantly ,equipped with valuable information and insight that properly prepared me for this unique experience. Every detail of this program is carefully considered and planned; no stone is left unturned! My husband and I were welcomed with love and care by our host family; our Spanish classes were creatively designed to meet our needs, improve our conversation and listening skills, and to have fun; the community service activities gave us a great appreciation for the partnership that Common Ground has developed with the city of Santo Domingo for the bast two decades; and the excursions/activities were light and fun and full of laughs…and still all in Spanish! We came back home so grateful for this experience that delivered on all of its promises. You will have a rich, real, and truly gratifying time with the Common Ground Team!

Melanie Daybell
My immersion experience with Common Ground International was more than I could’ve hoped for. The steps they take to prepare you for your trip are so thorough, and they really have thought of everything needed to make this such a well-rounded experience. Not only did we immerse in the culture and the language, we were given the opportunity to serve and tour, as well. Living with the host family is such a rich part of the immersion experience and I just feel like Rory and Leslie have thought of everything to help you be successful in your language learning goals. This is my new tradition🥰

Diane Auten
This was a fun and eye-opening travel experience. I loved the Spanish classes, staying with my host family, and meeting like-minded travelers. Leslie and Rory are very welcoming, accommodating, and understanding. I felt very safe on this trip and would recommend it to anyone wanting to travel, learn, volunteer, and experience new things.

Carolyn Godfrey
I absolutely loved my experience in the CGI immersion program in Ecuador! The CGI team is incredible, and you learn so much about the culture. The focus is language acquisition, and this is the place to practice what you’ve learned. There are so many places to visit, and Cuenca was such a beautiful city full of wonderful people. I think I will always hold a little piece of Cuenca in my heart. So, if you want an immersion of a lifetime, travel with CGI and let your ability to speak Spanish shine!

Charles Cook
An outstanding and memorable experience!

SaTonya cox
This was a great program ! My experience from the teachers ,the host family ,and even the program leaders was fantastic! I felt safe , accepted and encouraged to push myself in a way that grew my language skills in the short time I was there! I even have the skills to continue studying on my own. I also made some friends as well. I’m grateful for this experience.

Edith Jones
I went to Costa Rica with CGI in February of 2025 for 2 weeks. I felt that I had hit a plateau in trying to learn Spanish and thought that an immersion program might get me moving again. I’m a low intermediate and I wanted to regain my enthusiasm to get to the next level. And I have! How? With Common Ground International! What an amazing program. I think the fact that it’s a family-run business is what makes the difference. Leslie and Rory have thought of everything, and they are genuinely so warm and caring. Their website gives all the information you could need; they cover EVERY aspect of the program. But I did have one minor question and when I emailed Rory, he answered within a day and even offered to speak with me on the phone. Their pre-departure course and Zoom sessions made preparing for the trip a breeze and I knew exactly what to expect. I was a little concerned about my age – 74 – but the group had a large age range and everybody felt welcome. Leslie and Rory had small activities at the start that helped break the ice and before you knew it a group of strangers felt like family. Our classes were in Lapa Verde Language School which is gorgeous and comfortable. It felt like a little oasis in the middle of Santo Domingo. They have classes of every level, and they placed me right where I needed to be to keep me challenged and level up. I think the most important part was then using the Spanish in the restaurants and the shops and with Costa Ricans that I met. I went on every excursion that was offered, and each one was a memorable experience – Sibu Chocolate, Poás Volcano, Rancho Arizona (coffee farm) and Parque Manuel Antonio. I plan to go back again in the winter of ’26 and I can hardly wait.

Risa Breckman
Every part of the program was thoughtfully crafted and joyfully brought to life, creating a truly immersive language and cultural experience. In just 3 weeks, my Spanish knowledge and speaking improved noticeably. The volunteer experience was meaningful and rewarding. The trips fun and interesting. And along the way, I made lifelong friends and came to love Costa Rica and its inspiring Pura Vida way of life. CGI not just met but far exceeded my expectations. I could not have asked for more from a program!

Teri Jo Fritsma 
If you’re looking for a Costa Rican beach vacation, this program isn’t it. 😂 If you’re looking to learn Spanish and grow as a Spanish speaker and as a person, THIS PROGRAM IS IT! In the two weeks I spent in Costa Rica, I went from speaking labored, broken Spanish to being able to have relatively fluid conversations with native Spanish speakers. My (rather ill-defined) goal was to “think in Spanish,” and I got there! And since coming back, I’ve realized just how much I learned — I have more of the building blocks that I need in order to communicate fluidly in Spanish in all kinds of situations.The program was mind- and heart-changing, and for me, that didn’t happen without a few lessons in flexibility, humility, and empathy. It’s real. It’s challenging. Fortunately, Common Ground excels at being exceptionally professional and exceptionally personal at the same time. By “professional,” I mean that they give you all the tools, lessons, and information ahead of time to get you as prepared as you can possibly be for your experience. The amount of planning and preparing that goes into a trip like this is immense, and Common Ground covers every detail. By “personal,” I mean that Leslie, Rory, and Kelly were present in Costa Rica with us every moment of every day, helping us with logistics, concerns, language issues … absolutely anything that we needed. (How does a personal magically materialize the moment you have a question? That’s a superpower that the leaders of CGI seem to have that I still marvel at!)The school where you’ll study — Lapa Verde — is a beautiful, safe, green little oasis in the middle of the city. The director and the teachers are wonderful, personable, flexible, and every single one of them seems to go above and beyond in what they do. The host family stay, for me, was where I experienced the most growth, both personally and in terms of my Spanish. Imagine coming home at the end of a day of activities and classes, and speaking another couple of hours of Spanish with just a regular Spanish-speaking family! What a challenge, and what a gift!Another part of this program that I didn’t anticipate was the strong friendships I made with other program participants. We were all there for the same reason, and we leaned on each other for help and support. I expect and hope that I’ll be friends with some of my CGI peeps for life!I could not sing CGI’s praises loudly enough! If you decide to embark on this program, you will have the finest of preparation and be in the very best of hands. (Do it! 😊)

Pamela Maffei 
I have participated in several immersion programs and CGI is one of the best. The thoughtfully structured program provides a unique experience of Spanish immersion combining family stays, connection to the local community and intensive Spanish classes. If you are an intermediate/advanced student, you will be placed in stimulating classes that raise your level of speaking. If you are a beginning student, you will receive the attention needed to launch your Spanish learning. I obviously enjoyed my stay in Costa Rica and look forward to enrolling again, maybe in Ecuador next time.

judy hoffman 
If you are looking for a way to improve your spanish along with learning about the culture and supporting the community this program is the one for you!
Jude

Patricia Penta 
Leslie and Rory are pros at managing all the details and quickly handling any issues that arose during the 2-week trip to Costa Rica. My teacher was excellent, patient, and helped me improve my Spanish conversational fluency. I felt safe and the home stay experience was invaluable for improving my language skills while learning about the rich Costa Rican culture. I liked the immersion trip so much that I will be signing up for the Ecuador trip next year.

Charles Sides
Don’t allow age to be a factor in determining whether or not you can participate in a language immersion program. If you have the desire to learn Spanish in an immersion setting, Ground International made it happen for me. I am 72-years old and felt that I had a place in both Cuenca and Santo Domingo. In the family groups of the program were some elementary age children as well as younger. The only thing that mattered during the program was the desire to learn Spanish, to encourage others and to be encouraged; the age of the learner was totally immaterial.

Richard Rayl 
It matched and exceeded the stated goals. I have an improved understanding of the structure of Spanish, I do need to be using what I’ve gained. I was expecting more conversation. The grammar was helpful. Looking back I would have benefited by staying in class for two weeks.
If I were to do it again I would sign up for the three week program.

Jennie Sullivan 
I very much enjoyed the excursions pre and post immersion. I enjoyed the comradery of the group. The group leaders were extremely organized and approachable. I enjoyed the immersion experience at the Spanish school in Cuenca. My teacher Victor was fun and interactive and my Spanish comprehension skills definitely improved. Cuenca is a lovely city and I felt safe.
The volunteer portion of this experience was impactful and an important part of the experience. The experience of going to and navigating the grocery store using Spanish to purchase items for preparation to serve homeless members in the community and then going to the mission to help serve the meal was a very meaningful experience.
Attending the program for a one week period definetly opened my eyes to the benefits of doing this type of experience for those who are seriously interested in improving their fluency skills.

Owen Landis 
I really hope I can experience this again with you all!

John Gruidl 
If you want to improve your Spanish and enjoy a rich cultural experience, this is the program for you. The program is well-organized with excellent leadership. On my 2024 trip to Ecuador, my fellow students were really interesting, fun, and supportive of each other. I was one of the oldsters on the trip but was welcomed. The home stays, classes, and excursions were all excellent and helped me to improve my Spanish. Ecuador was fascinating and we were able to experience so much of it. This program really has its act together!

Tamara Savage 
Common Ground International (CGI) provided me an experience like no other. No detail was to small for them to address. In comparison, I ran my first marathon at age if 50. Unless you done one, you won’t understand how life changing it is. It makes you know you CAN do whatever you want to. It was that mentality that caused me (at the age of 70) to take a leap of faith, partially based on reviews like I’m doing to sign up for two weeks. If you invest the money please invest the time and energy that CGI provides you, to complete all assignments (required or optional) BEFORE you get there. I was well prepared, up to and including a impermeable (rain coat), and an introduction to the program, the community and optional additional trips. Go for it. You won’t regret it.

Isabel Lytton 
I spent two weeks on the Ecuador trip and had an amazing experience. As someone younger (19) I was slightly nervous going in in regards to connecting with the rest of the group but I was so pleasantly surprised. Rory and Leslie were a great presence and always made me feel included. Everyone on the program was extremely kind and welcoming. On the Spanish side I believe that I have learned and practiced more on this trip than in my multiple years of high school and elementary schooling. The teachers were accommodating and went at a pace that was good for the class. I had a great time with all the planned activities and would definitely consider participating in another common ground trip!

Lucy G
Traveling with Leslie and Rory through CGI was one of my best travel experiences. It was super well organized and a perfect balance of class/learning time and exploring/adventuring! I feel that my Spanish language skills greatly improved throughout my 2 weeks in Ecuador. Our Spanish school had amazing teachers that created really personalized classes for small groups, and I felt that all the teachers took the time to learn about each of their students and met them at their Spanish learning level. My host family was amazing, they showed real patience and care during my Spanish learning journey and we have created a connection that will last a lifetime. I absolutely loved the city and people of Cuenca. It is a very calm and inviting city that I could see myself returning to for future trips and time abroad. Overall, I really loved the trip, its organization, and all the other participants and families that I met throughout. 2 weeks wasn’t long enough!

Susan M.
Traveling with Common Ground International on Spanish Immersion is a comprehensive program you won’t want to miss. The Fosters and the team(s) they have assembled are exceptional; this translates to an experience steeped in language, culture, education, community engagement, food, joy, and support throughout. The preparation begins with the pre-departure course (a valuable investment of your time) long before you begin traveling. You can opt into additional excursions which are a well-curated variety of interesting outings, presenting even more shared experiences to discuss in Spanish with your classmates! I traveled with CGI in Costa Rica for 2 weeks, Summer 2024. I wish I could have stayed longer. My listening and speaking abilities both improved and I found the entire experience invaluable. The towns and partner institutions are carefully selected by CGI to make this experience simultaneously rich and streamlined. I found the CGI team and its program to exude positivity and coach the same in the participants, which increases the success and learning of participants. The team is also very organized and their experience is demonstrated at every step.

Eugenia Gurevich 
I have spent 2 weeks on the immersion trip for adults in Ecuador in June of 2024. I wanted to test my ability to speak Spanish in real setting, that is to find out whether I would be able to understand the natives in real life and able to communicate with them. The program was very well organized with classes in the morning and various activities in the afternoon. I like the classes a lot; they helped me to understand some fine points of the Spanish grammar that I had trouble with before. Living with a local family also provided ample opportunity to communicate in Spanish – and “my family” luckily did not speak any English – as well as added a cultural dimension to the experience. The program leaders Rory and Leslie did everything in their power to make the trip useful and enjoyable for all participants. Cuenca is a lovely city, and it was a joy to wander the streets. I only wish I could have gone to Costa Rica as well. Perhaps, next time.

Suzanne G. 
If you are wondering if this is the trip for you, your family or your teen, rest-assured you will have an amazing experience in Ecuador! From start to finish Leslie, Rory and their son (and other leaders and teachers) are just the people you want to spend time with- they make you feel at home away from home. They are experienced, organized and thrilled to have you along. They are masters at leading groups after over 20 years of experience and you will not be disappointed. The Spanish language classes are fit for each person’s level, there are fun and varied side trips (I signed up for every extra trip and each one was worthy of doing). Cuenca is a beautiful city and safe to move around in and has warm and generous families who take you in.Teachers and students (my daughter accompanied me and did the High School Immersion Trip), if you need a boost in your Spanish and/or are curious about Ecuador, you will fall in love with this place. It’s beautiful, it’s diverse, and the people are lovely. I cannot wait for the new school year to begin so that I can share what I experienced and learned with my students. ¡Mil gracias, familia Foster, for this fabulous, life changing trip. It surpassed our expectations! Dust off your suitcase… !

Laura Whiting 
This was an intense and fantastic program. I am a low intermediate, Spanish speaker, and it had been many years since I had done any formal Spanish learning. The program is very well run from start to finish. Leslie and Rory make you feel welcome and are attentive to each students needs. The quality of the teachers was exceptional. The optional excursions were well chosen. Living with a host, family truly added depth to the experience and made me feel like a member of the community. I met several people who are passionate about learning Spanish. I highly recommend this program!

Phil D 
I spent a week with Common Ground Intl in Costa Rica. In short, it was a great experience. I am an intermediate Spanish speaker. I was looking for an immersion program where I could perform volunteer activities and improve my Spanish. This was the perfect trip for me. The program is very well run and the people are friendly and capable. This trip checked all of the boxes for me. I had the opportunity to improve my comfort level speaking Spanish and contribute to the community in Costa Rica.
If you are able to take two or more weeks, I would encourage it.

Bob Whitecotton 
Choosing a Spanish language school is not a simple task and requires a fair amount of research because it involves a significant financial investment: airfare, tuition, adventure trips, and living expenses among others.1. The first consideration should center on the school itself. What are the teacher’s qualifications, typical class size, hours of instruction, the online reputation of the school, placement process, location – proximity to housing, individual vs. group classes, and many others of lesser importance?
2. What are the living accommodations options that are available is another vital criterion. Do they offer host families, apartments, hotel rooms, etc.? What are the arrangements for eating, getting around, and of course laundry, especially if you’re going to be there for more than a week?
3. What is the overall structure and is it flexible? We all have some concept of what we expect but expectations are not always reality. So, can it adapt to make an on-site reality better meet someone’s expectations quickly and without a lot of muss or fuss?
4. You’re going to be in a foreign country and everyone wants to see more than just a classroom. So what trips or adventures are offered both during the week and on weekends to provide a more immersive cultural experience?
5. Finally is it just a school or is it a program? If it is a program, how many years of experience do they have and what does the program encompass? Evaluating a school is a much simpler process.Having participated at another Costa Rican school prior to the pandemic, I used that experience to search for another option – a program. The 5 criteria above served as the initial basis for my research. However, more importantly, my research led me to select the Common Ground International (CGI) program, rather than just another school. I’ll spend this time describing my experience at CGI rather than my research findings.CGI is a program, by that I mean, it has been designed to provide a comprehensive language and cultural immersion experience across many daily elements. Yes, it incorporates an incredible school called Lapa Verde. The school has probably more than a dozen classrooms and many extensively qualified and devoted teachers. Most groups I witnessed, were small (4 or less) and able to address any level of student need – from absolute beginner to the most advanced Spanish speaker. My teacher had over 20 years of teaching experience and he was exemplary and engaging in every aspect- beyond my expectations.And yes, they also have an extensive array of host families intended to extend the language immersion experience beyond just 4 hours of school each weekday and of course, to provide a pleasant living setting once you leave the school. Host families for less knowledgeable students can speak some English; however, more advanced students live with families with little or no English language knowledge thus providing an environment to further enhance the learning experience in a day-to-day setting. My host family could only say “Yes.” Our daily conversations about family, friends food, and lives were a tremendously helpful learning situation. Since the host family provides two meals a day, you will learn Costa Rican cuisine. In my 4 weeks, I was never served the same dinner twice, greatly enhancing my culinary experience of Costa Rican cooking – I enjoyed each and every dinner.CGI has for some years involved the program in a local group called CEDCAS. CEDCAS works with immigrants (adults & children) who live in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Costa Rica. CGI’s program contains elements for medical personnel: doctors, nurses, EMTs, etc.; teachers including grade and high schools, Spanish and ESL teachers; high school students; and ordinary adults like myself. The medical personnel develop programs to educate CEDCAS adults, while the rest of us developed educational programs for the children from the barrio (neighborhood). It is a critical element of the CGI experience that is designed to enhance the language and cultural learning process. Moreover, it is an essential component of Rory’s and Leslie’s desire to give back to their Costa Rican friends and family. Every student participates in one of the programs to expand the learning process and as part of also giving back to the communityUnexpected stuff happens! When there are some 100 students across 6-weeks not everything will happen as the great planning attempts to anticipate; however, how and how quickly a program responds to correct such unanticipated events reflects on its maturity and leadership. Yes, everything didn’t go as planned but the CGI team responded with speed and alacrity to successfully address a few issues. Moreover, even the most casual suggestion was met with a serious effort to effect the suggestion – no matter how minor. Rory and Leslie want every student’s experience to exceed their expectation in every way. This maturity and leadership style has been developed over 20 years of running the CGI program in several Latin American countries.The CGI program also is designed to allow students to explore Costa Rica from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea; from surfing lessons to watching Greenback turtles lay their eggs, from visiting coffee farms and watching production and tasting fresh brewed to learning how chocolate is made, from hiking volcanoes to plunging down a zip line in a rain forest, from seeing rare reptiles to listening to howler monkeys in an verdant forest. They offer the full spectrum of whatever Costa Rican adventure you might desire all the while expanding your language and cultural knowledge.Is this program for everyone – clearly it is not? The program provides the broadest educational elements possible to enhance a student’s educational requirements from both language and cultural perspectives. It is both intensive and totally immersive – from morning until you go to bed at night. Clearly, not every interaction is in Spanish with students who have such a broad range of language knowledge; however, everyone attempted to speak Spanish whenever possible – we were all there to learn Spanish to the fullest extent possible. Rory and Leslie subscribe to that philosophy completely such that they use every minute to encourage speaking Spanish whenever possible – to great effect.If you truly want to experience language immersion that includes service projects to help local Costa Ricans, daily conversations with native Spanish speakers, learning from top-rated Spanish teachers, and adventures you might have never imagined, then CGI is the program for you. Learning a language is not easy but CGI makes the process fun, exciting, and enjoyable. If you just want to attend a language school for 3 hours a day, there are many other options and I would not suggest the CGI program.One final note, I attended this summer during the rainy season which was a concern. Throughout the month of July, I used my rain jacket once. Most rains occurred while we were in class, which might have been 5 times.

Tom Postlewaite 
Want to improve your Spanish, experience life living with a Costa Rican family, have the opportunity to participate in amazing adventures, and meet and pass time with devoted amicable people? This is it! I have participated in three other amazing immersion programs, all were rewarding. CGI, however, raised the bar for me. The directors, Rory and Leslie, have amazing super powers for running a professional and personal immersion program. All the elements of CGI were five-star (the classes, the instructional staff, the supportive staff, the pre-trip communication (and during), the host family, the adventures, and the service with CEDCAS). From my first contact with Rory to nuestras despedidas, I felt genuinely cared for).
Para mi aprendizaje del español, me sentí felizmente desafiado y estoy agradecido por las mejoras. No fue solo en nuestras clases de la tarde, pero el maravilloso tiempo con nuestra familia tica. Era español 24/7.
Lo más destacado para mi esposa y para mí fue la oportunidad de participar en el programa CEDCAS, compartimos una actividad, ¡en español!
¿Consideraría volver a participar? ¡En un instante! ¡Gracias CGI por enriquecer nuestra vida! Pura vida!

Stacey 
One of the best experiences of my adult life. The program was well run and organized and exceeded my expectations on every level. The Foster family treated us like family, and no detail was missed. I will do another trip in the future and would recommend this to anyone with a desire for fun, adventure, knowledge and getting outside of your comfort zone. I can’t say enough about how wonderful this program is.

Lou Ionis 
I thoroughly enjoyed the immersion experience that CGI created for me. It delivered on everything I was looking for –> cultural exposure, social interactions, helping the community and learning a ton of Spanish! They handled everything for me – I had no worries and always felt safe & secure.
I would 100% do it again.

Mark Morris
Beautiful country and beautiful people. Great experience!

Tanah Wagenseller 
I went to Costa Rica with Common Ground and loved every minute! The program is accessible, and the Fosters are very accommodating. I highly recommend especially if you want to improve your Spanish!

Cheryl Gilbert 
I traveled with Common Ground International medical immersion program in July 2021. The trip was fantastic and I am so glad that I went. I was hesitant before the trip because of the hassle factor, expense and the fact that I had not traveled out of the US in at least 30…yes thirty years. I wanted to improve my Spanish and felt like I was at a point where using Spanish was the only way I was going to succeed. The details of the trip were well thought out and things went quite smoothly. At my age, 63, I wasn’t sure that living in someone else’s home was going to be comfortable but the host family was very welcoming and I felt very much at home. The language instruction was on point but the opportunity to use Spanish in my host families home and in every day life was even more valuable. I had a fantastic time and felt like my time and money were well invested.

Kathi Van Eepoel 
Donde? Where to begin with my review—the great Pre-Immersion course that allowed me to be more than adequately prepared to travel alone to Costa Rica? Or, the Travel Spanish course that Rory and staff made available right when I needed it? Then there is the actual Lapa Verde Language School in Santo Domingo that is run by top notch educators with a passion for sharing their experience with students at every level of Spanish language base. They assess and then assign you right where you need to be—-for me, the very beginning. My instructor, Karen, was gracious, kind and firm. All necessary skills for dealing with pre-schoolers! Then, I could move on to my wonderful host “mama”. While we are in different generations, she was able to bridge the gap and make me feel welcome while also encouraging me to “stay in Spanish” in the evenings. Last but not least, by any means, the wonderful excursions, all while spending time with the extraordinary Foster family and other immersion students. To say it was the “trip of a lifetime” seems to fall short of the impact these past two weeks have made in me—booking my next trip(s) as soon as I finish posting this review!

Margaret Engasser 
Just returned from a 2-week immersion with Common Ground, in Costa Rica. The trip exceeded my expectations in so many ways! I felt well-prepared when I left home because the pre-departure information was very detailed. My Tico family was wonderful, and helped me practice over delicious, home-cooked breakfasts and dinners. From the language classes, to learning to cook gallo pinto, to the weekend trip to Manuel San Antonio National Park, the trip challenged me to keep up in Spanish, but never left me feeling overwhelmed. This is a first-rate program. Thank you Rory, Axa, my fellow students and everyone at LV!

charles simpson 
I give Common Ground International Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica the highest recommendation. I went with my very nervous 13 and 15 year olds who had only had taken very limited classroom Spanish. Within 24 hours my kids were comfortable with the school and home. The family run business makes you feel like you are part of the family. The class room sessions were intense and long, but this program is to put your Spanish on a steep learning curve. The host family was warm, nurturing, and really contributed to our dramatic increase in our spoken language skills. The weekend excursions were fun filled, perfect for kids with short attention spans! I don’t know how the Fosters keep the pace! I guess the fact that they have similar aged kids gives them great perspective and drive to give these trips their all! In short, we really missed the program once we left and vacationed on our own. However, we were departed with the gift of increased Spanish fluency which we greatly enjoyed during our travels.

Penny Rucks 
My husband and I participated in Common Ground International’s 4-week Spanish Immersion Program in Costa Rica the winter of 2019. Everything about that experience exceeded expectations, from the quality of pre-immersion material and availability of CGI staff to field questions before we left, to the expertise of our instructors in country, and the effectiveness of the classes. My speaking ability moved from almost nil to good-enough to engage with Spanish speakers at home – and read,! However it is the people we met during our volunteer experiences, our host family, and fellow students, that I will remember most.

Mike Rucks 
Perfect experience. Four weeks in Costa Rica with a host family as a “general” student. The medical group was a real treat to meet, but did their own morning projects. Everyone together from 1-5 at Lapa Verde language class. I got 80 hours of instruction in 100% Spanish from Sandra as the only student. Amazing experience. Volunteer projects in the morning were challenging and highly rewarding. Weekend trips were a marvel of organized adventure led by Rory, aka Señor Látigo. Host family was a total treat. If you’re looking for a Spanish language and cultural experience, they’re waiting for you. Went with my wife. We’re 72 and all the younger medical students were really fun to be around. Even had a couple really interesting doctors. Quite a group.

Lauralette 
Awesome 3 week Spanish immersion experience in Costa Rica through Common Ground International. I am glad that I chose to do my Spanish immersion in Costa Rica and stay with a host family. The leaders at Common Ground International were professional, welcoming and attentive. The Teachers were patient and encouraging. My goal was to obtain a better understanding of Spanish verbs so I can increase in my Spanish conversation level. Costa Rica offers endless opportunities to learn about their rich culture and history while learning the language all at the same time. The natives were friendly and warm and easily ready to assit you if you had any questions. It was also easy to get around and I also felt safe. My host mother was amazing and made my stay a pleasant one, she encouraged me to speak in Spanish and introduced me to many native dishes. She was a wonderful host and great cook. And I cannot forgot I met some awesome people and made a few good friendships along the way. Including my host family’s dog. I left Costa Rica with a better understanding of Spanish verbs, increased vocabulary and the ability to converse with more confidence.I recommend you try it.Pura Vida

S. Rosado 
I attended the immersion program for two weeks and stayed an extra weekend to go on an excursion at the end and it was awesome! The program is very well organized and you get the full experience of practicing Spanish the entire time you are there (classroom, volunteering, group excursions). I’m so impressed on how well the program was organized for every single group – and there were three different groups (maybe more) going from high school, medical-adult, and adult immersion. The program Directors (Leslie and Rory) were always available to answer and/or clarify any questions, help explain things, recommend best eating places, and just made the whole experience amazing! I definitely recommend this program to anyone who is interested in learning spanish – no mater what level you are at – it is good for all levels and they put you in classes tailored just for your learning ability so you succeed while you are there! I also highly recommend doing the excursion to La Fortuna and Tortuguero to see the turtles laying their eggs! 🙂

Alice Yeh 
I had an amazing time with Common Ground for the Adults Immersion trip in Costa Rica. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience! I learned so much Spanish – going from very limited basic vocab to full sentences and basic conversations in 5 weeks. The program is incredibly well organized and a true immersive experience – volunteering in the morning, class in the afternoon, evenings with your host family, and free weekends to travel with the group or do your own thing. I highly recommend it!

Margie Obendorf 
My experience with Common Ground and their immersion program was very positive. Before I arrived I was a little nervous and also wondered if I could gain that much in two weeks. But the hosts, Leslie and Rory, understand well what immersion students go through and quickly helped me feel comfortable. The program is also very full and supports the students efforts to learn Spanish very well. I found that at the end of two weeks I had both picked up more Spanish and become much more comfortable speaking the language than I had hoped. In addition, everyone involved was both helpful and supportive and made for an engaging and happy learning environment. I am very happy that I went

L. Seto 
I attended the immersion for adults for 2 weeks in June of 2016, and I couldn’t have been more satisfied with my experience. I wanted to gain confidence in using the little bit of Spanish I knew (from high school many years ago) in the non-medical hospital setting where I was about to begin work. The leadership of this program was so professional and yet so personally supportive, it made me feel safe to take risks with using my Spanish and exploring away from my English-speaking colleagues.
I just enrolled in a Spanish class at my local community college and I can’t believe how much more confident I am in knowing how to ask my questions and make comments about the classwork in Spanish—and this is just Spanish 1, second semester! I am planning to return to Costa Rica for another immersion program next summer because of how it stretched me so successfully and yet responded well to my fears and uncertainties along the way. Experiencing the culture and food firsthand through living with a family was definitely the best way to go. My host family and I are still maintaining contact via email.

E. Wells 
The Common Ground International Spanish Immersion trip was a trip of a life time. It is well organized, but be ready to be busy. There is little down time! San Isidro de Heredia is a wonderful town. Big enough to explore, but small enough that it is not overwhelming. My host family was warm and welcoming and made the whole experience even better. I learned a lot everyday and felt I was able to use what I learned while I was in Costa Rica. ELEC school was also a great experience. The teachers were professional and well prepared and the teacher to student ratio allowed for individualized attention while also being able to learn from the fellow students. The school grounds and buildings are beautifully maintained and the view into San Jose is amazing. Saphire is a great leader and is also very open and helpful if you are having any issues or concerns. Overall I was extremely pleased with my Costa Rica immersion trip. I do wish there had been some more time to spend in town and get to know San Isidro de Heredia better and also use some Spanish in an every day setting outside of school and the home stay. However, my three week visit made me feel comfortable that I could go back to visit Costa Rica or another Spanish speaking country and know that I could make my way around and be understood.