AAVE Trip BLOG » Awesome Costa Rica Teen Adventure Language Program!
September 25, 2009
Awesome Costa Rica Teen Adventure Language Program!
Posted by AAVE Parent in : Costa Rica Clasica, General AAVE Trip BLOG , trackback
Elizabeth’s experience on the Costa Rica Clasica trip was fantastic!!!! She really enjoyed receiving the names and contact info for the students prior to traveling. hey communicated online and were able to get to know each other a little even before meeting each other in person, which helped to relieve some of the anxiety about traveling alone and being so far away, in a country/culture that was foreign to them, with people she had never met before. (this is of course the one of the reasons to go on an AAVE trip). She also liked having a telephone conversation with the group leader, during the week prior to departure, where she could ask a few last minute questions. …. and together they decided that she should make some music CD’s that they could all enjoy on the bus rides. Which they certainly did!
Since arriving home, Elizabeth has been overflowing with wonderful stories about their adventures. She has continued to be in contact with others from the trip online, by phone, and even met some of them in NYC during our family travels to the East coast after her return. They will have long lasting memories and friendships from their unique experience together.
She really enjoyed the home stays, although a little nervous the first night as she wondered what it would be like to stay in a “stranger’s home” One of her ‘Mama Tica’s” found out that it would be Elizabeth’s birthday very soon, but that she would no longer be with their family. So, during the time that Elizabeth was with them, she hand knit a scarf for Elizabeth as a present to take home!!!
Elizabeth’s vocabulary has increased tremendously and she is much more fluent and conversational in Spanish. I believe that the home stay with one student per family helped facilitate this, rather than multiple students per family.
As a parent, I really enjoyed receiving the “group” emails about their adventures. It let us vicariously enjoy their travels and activities, which they might not otherwise experience on a family vacation.
I liked being able to contact AAVE during preparations for the trip,… and actually speak to a live person, who was well informed and helpful.
We would highly recommend AVVE this trip in particular, and would be happy to speak with any potential families or students.
Thank you again for such an active exciting summer. What an amazing way to travel and experience another culture!
Andrea Sello (mother of Elizabeth Leighton)
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