How does ICADS' Spanish Program compare to other language institutes?
* ICADS has a clearly articulated social, political and environmental focus.
* We advocate and work for interlocking agendas that advance human rights of all oppressed groups, including women, animal rights, the protection of the natural environment, and the promotion of sustainable economic development. All teaching is done with these issues in mind.
* ICADS is a relatively small school. This keeps the atmosphere intimate and informal and allows participants to get to know one another. Many other language schools accept between 50-150 students per month.
* ICADS Spanish classes have a maximum of 4 students per class. Many other schools average 5-8 students per class.
* ICADS provides free airport pick-up service. Additionally, all activities, lectures, and field trips are included in the price of tuition. Most other schools charge extra for field trips and activities and most don't offer internship placements.
* We are one of the few Spanish schools in Costa Rica that offers complimentary volunteer placement service for students who wish to practice Spanish while making a contribution to local community change efforts (language ability permitting). Students may work in orphanages, health centers, women's organizations, environmental organizations and with other community groups.
* ICADS is the only Spanish school that offers group community service activities for students with minimum Spanish abilities and for those who want to make a positive contribution to local organizations without a large time commitment.
* We send incoming students a detailed guide to help them prepare for the trip to Costa Rica. We include information on personal security, health issues, packing appropriately, cultural differences, etc. We also provide a rigorous orientation for all students upon arrival to help them adjust easily and safely to Costa Rica .
PERSONAL SAFETY IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PRIORITIES.
* All students who may need medical attention while with ICADS are accompanied to appointments by a staff member. ICADS keeps a list of the best bilingual medical care providers in the country.
* ICADS provides storage facilities for all valuables and access to a safe where students may keep money, credit cards, airline tickets, etc, as well as storage facilities for baggage if students wish to travel after their program ends.
* ICADS offers free unlimited internet access to all students.
* ICADS provides a list of faculty affiliations at colleges and universities in the U.S. as well as names and addresses of past ICADS students. We believe that past ICADS students are the best source of information about us.
Field Course in Resource Management and Sustainable Development
How does ICADS' Field Course compare to other similar programs in Costa Rica?
* Our Field Course is the only one that travels and works in two countries: Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
* Our program takes an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable development, focusing on both sociological and ecological factors.
* One of our primary goals is to intergrate students into the culture of the study region as much as possible. We do this through homestays in San José and in the field and interaction with local communities.
* Our small size (maximum of 12 students) allows us to have more personal interaction with communities and guest speakers, and to visit many sites inaccessible to larger groups. Additionally, with a high professor-to-student ratio, students receive more individualized attention.
* The ICADS Field Course encourages the integration and use of Spanish as much as possible. Classes, readings, lectures and discussions are held in Spanish, allowing students to increase their comprehension and speaking abilities.
* Our program tuition rates are at least 30% lower than other programs of equal academic quality and length.
