L onMac

We really hoped our son would gain confidence in speaking Spanish. He plans to continue progressing in his high school courses but we feel there is no better way to learn than a practical hands-on immersive experience. After researching several programs I felt Common Ground would be a good fit with his other interests in travel, adventure activities, soccer, and volunteering. I thought it sounded like a perfect combination of educational experiences and a really fun time. It seemed like a small group environment would foster deeper personal connection and more intense learning in a classroom. I was so impressed by the pre-departure zoom meetings to prepare the parents and students that I was very confident my son would be in good hands during his 3 weeks in Costa Rica. I was blown away by the communication during the trip when we got daily updates and photos from the counselors to see that the kids were incorporating classroom learning into the real world. I loved hearing about the var

Bronwyn Jamrok

What a fantastic experience! I recently traveled with CGI in the Ecuador program (adults) and not only did I improve my Spanish skills, but I was able to absorb a new and wonderful culture. The people of Ecuador are kind, generous, and thoughtful. Ecuador is a gorgeous with a temperate climate, impressive cities, and stunning natural beauty. What I loved about CGI was the professional nature and organization of the program. I was also really happy to discover that my fellow participants were fun, funny, outgoing, and willing to roll with changes (as are bound to happen in any situation like this). Rarely can I sit down with a group of strangers and feel comfortable chatting with them right from the start. Highly recommend to those wanting to improve Spanish and are open to adventure.

Jeanette Weiser

“I went into this program with limited prior exposure to Spanish, but a desire to understand my patients more effectively. I am now able to discern the content of a conversation, my written Spanish skills have improved, and I have uncovered areas in my spoken Spanish that would benefit from continuing improvements. Staff was highly supportive and provided pre trip preparation, not found in other similar programs. Apart from linguistic knowledge, I also gained in sight into local culture, and the medical system of Costa Rica”

Amy Stoll

My trip to Costa Rica with Common Ground International exceeded my expectations. My goal in attending was to be able to speak and understand Spanish on a beginner level. Prior to the trip I knew some Spanish vocabulary but couldn't form sentences. After two weeks I was having simple conversations in Spanish. The organization is well run with friendly, helpful, welcoming leaders. The excursions were great. A plus was volunteering with underserved kids at a community center. I will go again

Diane Auten -Author/ Communication Specialist

Traveling and attending Spanish school with Common Ground International was a wonderful experience. I appreciated all of the attention to detail, excellent pre-trip Zoom meetings/ information, fun and engaging Spanish classes, cultural excursions, and staying with a host family. I traveled to Ecuador and felt very safe. Honestly, the safest I have ever felt out of all of the Latin American countries I have traveled to. Leslie and Rory are very hands on and available to help throughout the entire trip.If you are on the fence about going, you should do it! You won't regret it.

Elizabeth Vincent

I took the Intermediate Mastering Medical Spanish course, and I highly recommend it. I'm a labor and delivery nurse, and this course improved my medical vocabulary and confidence speaking with my patients and their families. It is a combo of self-paced video lessons, and weekly live practice sessions as a group. I was scared of the live lessons, but they turned out to be my favorite part of the class. It was a judgement free zone, and we all had fun learning and practicing together. It didn't matter that I have a niche specialty, I learned so much that I could immediatly use on the job. And Professor Johanna (amazing!) was always available to answer specific vocab questions.

Mrs. 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!

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!

Tim 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.

Teri Fritsma

Common Ground International is an absolutely incredible organization that goes well above and beyond to provide a rich, authentic Spanish immersion experience. In two weeks in the program, I went from a basic conversational level to the point where I could have fluid conversations with native speakers. Besides which, the experience was truly real -- you live in a community where you can make deep connections with your fellow students and native Spanish speakers alike. Every detail was perfectly planned, communicated, and executed. I could not say enough good about CGI!!! I hope to see you again, Rory, Leslie, and Kelly!

Jeanie Holt

I took my sons on an immersion trip when they were in early elementary school. I know what a really bad program looks like. And now I know what a truly world-class program looks like! I looked at a variety of immersion programs because my 11-year-old granddaughter wanted to learn Spanish and I wanted to improve my ability in Spanish. Four things about Common Ground International that stand out: the extensive and excellent pre-departure work required and facilitated by CGI staff; the excellence of teachers and teaching environment at the Lapa Verde Language School in Costa Rica; the suberb leaderships of CGI staff while in Costa Rica; and the excellence of excursions which provided a balance to the intensive classes as well and great cultural/historical learnings about Costa Rica.

Taya Cohen

The program was exceptionally well run. Every detail attended to, both in the pre-trip planning and during the trip. It was an excellent mix of activities and classwork, both for the adults and children. The school was engaging and educational for all of us, including in the adult classes (which I participated in), the medical classes (which my husband participated in), and the children's classes (which my 6 and 8 year old boys participated in). Our host family was lovely, the food and accommodations perfectly suited our needs, communication was easy, and the content and programming were completely in line with our interests and goals for the trip. My favorite anecdote about the trip, which highlights one reason families would do well to consider this program, is on the last day, on our walk home from the Lapa Verde Spanish School, I was talking with our 6 year old about what he found interesting or different about Costa Rica and our week here. He said, in school in Costa Rica, he is a