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Your questions
are important to us, so please take your time and ask them. We
want you to learn as much as you can about our immersion
program, it benefits everyone involved.
Who may
enroll?
High school age students (14- 18 yrs)
Who should
enroll?
Motivated and responsible high school students excited
about experiencing Spanish in a authentic Central American
community. This is a vibrant youth focused program embraced by
Granada's high schools. Providing visiting students with a fun
and easy-going environment to make friends while building
fluency in Spanish. You will not believe how much you will learn and
experience in four weeks!
Who should not
enroll?
Any student
looking for a "Cancun experience" involving bars and alcohol.
Any student not
ready to use Spanish on a daily basis.
Any student with
behavior problems.
What makes
our program so unique?
First of all, we are high school only! Our
program is fully integrated into the local high school scene
giving students endless opportunities to make friends and expand
their Spanish skills. We shape our program solely around the
interests of high school students. We have developed the program from the suggestions of our
students, so each year we continue to evolve and maintain a
fresh, and exciting approach to community interaction. We
also run our own excursions, fiestas, sports programs, cultural
events, school exchange and community service - so every summer
something new and exciting is happening. In the summer of 2004
we are proud to have started the first ever girls soccer program
in the Granada region, we also started a schools arts exchange
program that was expanded in the summer 2005 program.
Do we
offer Community Service?
Yes, we call it "Spanish through
Leadership" and it's not work! Each student is matched according
to their interests and talents to local youth programs. Our
volunteer is fun, active and unforgettable! We run soccer
programs, teach music, tutor in the schools, share arts and
craft projects, play games with disadvantaged children, practice
dance, compete and run sports programs, It's really incredible
how far a little Spanish will go, when you believe in sharing
the experience with local kids. We also invite students to bring
anything from home to improve their experience, students from
last summer brought frisbee's and started a frisbee frenzy, one
student brought his saxophone and joined the local high school
band and tutored young musicians. Proceeds from our immersion
program go to support local youth programs in sports and the
arts.
Will my
Spanish improve?
Yes (dramatically), and more importantly
your understanding of how to use it according to local culture.
Many people speak Spanish but alienate local people because they
are ignorant of Latino culture. We teach Spanish so your voice
communicates respect and because your out speaking and
interacting with local people you earn a big "high five" from
the community. No doubt about it, this is a challenging program-
you are immersed, but you will never regret for one moment
joining us in Granada.
Will I be
isolated in Spanish?
Never, students live a short distance from
each other. everything is
within walking distance, each day we have group activities at
the high school and plenty of
free-time to mingle.
What is
included in each program price?
Nicaragua Summer Exchange provides
students with an affordable all inclusive program, including:
"Chaperoned" round trip airfare from major U.S. cities, overseas
medical and evacuation insurance, program doctor, free phone and
e-mail service to students, all overseas
land transports and airport pick-up, all lodging and home-stays:
including all meals, laundry, purified water, all language
sessions and tutoring, all high school, community and cultural events, all
excursions, bilingual staff, toll free 24 hr. emergency
communication for parents.
How do I
reserve my spot?
Send in completed application, students
are accepted on a first come first serve basis. If you’re
interested in participating we recommend applying early since we
limit program enrollment.
What happens after my application is received? After confirming
your reservation in the program, we will send to you our
pre-departure information materials and student group profile.
How do I
learn more about the program?
After you view our program video, feel
free to send us your telephone number and best time to call so
our student coordinator can answer all your specific questions!
We also provide on request contact information from returning
students and parents!
What is
the program mission?
“Spanish Through Leadership” is the
program motto, which means putting language into positive
action. Our focus is to embrace students into daily community
life; we create a trustful family environment where students
build speaking confidence. Along with their growing confidence
we provide fun and rewarding opportunities for them to
contribute to the needs of local youth. By using Spanish in
meaningful ways students discover that language has a powerful
impact in how they understand the world and their future in it!
What is
the program background?
Created 1998, the program grew out of the
historic 35 year Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partnership Program, the
program was developed by teachers and community leaders with the
purpose of connecting high school Spanish students to family and
community life in Central America. In 1998 the program became
part of the Wisconsin Public Schools International Programs,
today the program enrolls students from across the United States
and is recognized as one of Latin America’s most authentic high
school immersion programs.
What kind
of student should join the program?
Each student should have the maturity to
follow instructions an adapt to changes. Language level is not
as important, as motivation! If you have the energy and
motivation to interact, you will
Freshman
or senior, what age is best?
Our experience shows that age is not
nearly as important as motivation. The time for immersion is
when the student is excited and ready to go for it! Many of our
best students were younger with less Spanish skills. The
confidence and maturity they gained in the immersion experience
carried-over into the next school year.
How do
parents determine if their child should join this program?
Parents will know their children better
than we ever will! Just ask yourself, does my son/daughter show
motivation in learning Spanish, what is his/her motivation for
joining the program, has he or she been working hard at school,
does he or she have the maturity to adapt to many changes, to
make good judgments relating to personal decisions with their
peers, and do they act respectful in your home.
Who is
responsible in-country for students?
We pride ourselves on being Latin
America's only high school exclusive program, we are accountable
to parents and to our community - we strongly believe in
appropriate curfews and personal behavior! The Nicaragua Summer Program is not a place where students are left alone
to do as they please. Each student is a guest in our community,
responsible for maintaining our high program standards regarding
conduct. Students are guided by a friendly, highly trained team
of educators, community leaders and former Peace Corps
volunteers. Each student receives daily supervision from four
sources: Program Director, teachers, host family, and youth
coordinator. Program staff members are available 24 hours a day,
and live within walking distance of students. The Program
Director can be contacted anytime by students or parents!
Are there
medical concerns?
No different from anywhere else, our most
common ailment is the common cold. A few students each year have
a small period adapting to the food and climate. There's no
Malaria in the Granada region. Our food is very healthy and
locally grown.
Do you
provide referrals from parents and students who have
participated in the program?
We certainly do on your request, as well
from Spanish teachers and school administrators
What makes
our program safer than others?
This is by far the most important question
for us, and the answer has several parts. First of all, the
safety program was developed through the recommendations of the
NAFSA Association of International Educators. Each student
participates in our safety orientation. We maintain a very clear
set of Safety Rules and Guidelines that are meticulously
enforced. Secondly, because we maintain a very strong and
personal connection within the community, including the Mayor’s
office, the cultural center, school directors and youth
community programs we keep well informed of local conditions.
Unlike many immersion programs that are run by a foreign staff
we are native community members. Thirdly, our program is high
school only! For that reason we maintain high school appropriate
supervision, behavior, curfews and guidelines. We also maintain
a small program in a small city. We limit enrollment to approx.
25 students, which allows us to focus on individual student
needs and interests. Thirdly, we maintain a small staff to
student ratio, our staff provides supervision during all
activities and are available to assist students at any time, day
or night. Presently, Nicaragua is one of Latin America's safest
countries for foreign travel. Note: all of the above will not
matter if we do not have the student's cooperation in ensuring
their
own safety. The staff will not be able to supervise students
around-the-clock, and it will ultimately be up to the students
themselves to respect the program rules and exercise caution and
practice good judgment.
How do
students communicate with home?
Students can easily stay in touch with
home through our free digital phone service and email.
All host families can be reached via telephone. Program Director
is reachable 24 hrs a day through our Toll Free Service for
Parents.
What is a
typical day in the program?
Monday through Thursday students meet at
Granada's colonial high school Colegio Maria Auxiliadora for
their 8:45am Spanish session. The language sessions will focus
on communication, conversation and cultural skills. Each
session is broken up into fun and active intercultural
activities within the community and local schools. Students are
in small groups practicing real language situations that provide "hands on" tasks, such as tortilla -making,
creating refrescos, buying in the market, ceramic arts, adobe
arts, asking directions, politeness in speaking, and
facilitating school friendships. Students enjoy our siesta lunch
break from 12:00pm until 2:30pm, afternoons are spent in
community service with local youth and children organizations,
evenings include: music, dance, movies, live concerts, fiestas,
theatre, sports. Weekends we explore nearby attractions such as
rainforest, farms, islands, beaches, volcanoes and Host high
school dance nights.
(teacher to student ratio 1:5)
What are
the Host Family Conditions?
Students live with middle -class families,
each Host Family provides a comfortable and friendly environment to experience traditional home
life in Latin America. All of our Host Families attend our
annual training session on caring for a visiting high school
student. All of our host families live in the historic colonial
Granada. Students live within close walking distance to
everything including each other and program staff. Host Families
are responsible for providing healthy meals, purified water and
juice, day time snacks, private secured room, and laundry. Host
Families are in close contact with the Program Director in all
aspects of the students health and welfare, students are
responsible for respecting Host Family home rules and curfews.
How much
time will I be spending with my host family?
As much as you would like! At the very
least, you will have breakfasts, lunch and dinners and weekend
free-time with your family. Ideally, you will spend enough time
with them to learn about their lives, make friends with their
friends and relatives, go on visits and attend family events. A
close relationship with your host family will make a world of
difference in your summer experience. Students are strongly
encouraged to eat with their host families.
Will I
have free time?
Certainly, each day during lunch/siesta
you have over 2 hours of your time, evening activities are never
mandatory, and Sunday’s are generally free. Your free time is
yours, as long as you stay within the program boundaries. Most
students spend their free time relaxing with fellow students or
host family siblings.
What are
the excursions like?
The excursions alone make this program an incredible value!
Expect to explore rainforests, tropical islands, volcanoes,
Latin music, open-markets, blue lagoons, a weekend retreat on a
beautiful palm-lined Pacific beach, indigenous
arts villages, coffee farm. Every program begins with our horse and buggy
tour of colonial Granada. We go swimming at least once a week!
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