COLLEGE OF THE SISKIYOUS

COSTA RICA TRAVEL-STUDY PROGRAM

COS Guest columnist: Roberto Mazariegos

COS Spanish Instructor, Roberto Mazariegos has directed study abroad programs for over ten years. Prior to his appointment at COS, he served as Resident Director of California State University, Chico, immersion programs in Mexico and Costa Rica and taught at Stanford University and Chabot College. A native Spanish speaker, Mazariegos received his Master of Arts degree from San Jose State University where he specialized in Spanish culture, and literature of Latin America. He also studied at University Rafael Landivar in Guatemala in the area of Business Administration.

"Pura vida" (enjoy life) was one of the first Costa Rican phrases learned by students on the College of the Siskiyous two-week Costa Rica Spanish Program during the winter break last December.

Students who traveled to Costa Rica attended daily language classes, and participated in afternoon fieldtrips to such places as a coffee plantation and a coffee factory, local market places and a nearby volcano.

The special two-week immersion course was designed for COS students and community members interested in studying abroad. The program included all school materials and the classes covered a wide-variety of cultural topics. Students took a language placement test and were placed in several different language classes ranging from beginning to advanced. The classes were conducted entirely in Spanish.

Kevin Ballard, a Spanish student at COS, enjoyed his stay with his Costa Rican (Tico) family. "My home stay went very well and my Tico family really tried to make me feel very comfortable." Afternoons were also spent learning dance steps to salsa and merengue which the students were able to practice at local night clubs.

Because Costa Rica is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, the COS students took advantage of the program's two weekend fieldtrips to view the amazing diversity of animal and plant life in the country’s national parks. The group visited the Manuel Antonio National Park during their first weekend where they had a choice of hiking in the park’s beautiful mountains or lounging on the pristine sand of its spectacular beaches.

The following weekend, the group visited Tortuguero National Park where they cruised by boat down the park’s river surrounded by jungle and wild animals. Students were in awe of the crocodiles, monkeys and birds that they encountered. "What a wonderful experience. I plan on returning as soon as possible," said Dave Clark, a participating COS faculty member. Deborah Mason, a CSU, Chico student said, "This program is the best choice. Students learn so much about the culture, the language, and more." It is a must!"

Mazariegos is currently organizing a three-week program for June, 1999, to Antigua, Guatemala. The COS Spanish Language Program in Guatemala gives students the opportunity to earn college credit in Spanish while living and studying in the romantic colonial town of Antigua. Afternoon and weekend fieldtrips provide a look into Guatemala’s rich and diverse culture.

Anyone interested in joining the summer COS travel-study program to Guatemala or the winter trip to Costa Rica who wish to receive a brochure may call Roberto Mazariegos at the Weed Campus, (530) 938-5387, or (530) 926-0387, or send an e-mail to mazarieg@siskiyous.edu.