Course Overview.

This program is designed for students with different levels of Spanish fluency.

After 2 weeks of Spanish classes, students at the beginner level will be able to communicate with patients in basic Spanish.
During class time the students will practice, with their professor, how to interact and converse with patients.
The Spanish teachers will explain to the students the grammar with an emphasis on conversational skills. In addition, this program will include a vocabulary concentrating on medical terminology.
Between the conversational topics there will be discussions that will help the student to understand the Public Health System of Costa Rica, positive and negative aspects will be discussed. We will review; the administration of medications, the developing technological equipment, limitations of the public health system, disease control, the system for vaccinations, and other subjects of interest such as medicinal plants of our rain forest and how people use it in Costa Rica.
The students will visit the hospital Escalante Pradilla, public and private local clinics and a farm of medicinal plants in San Isidro de El General. The objective of the visits to the clinics is to observe the difference between Public and Private Health Care service.
The students in this program who actively carry a license in their home country will also have the ability to help care for patients during visits to the nursing homes, hospice clinics, the Red Cross and the public clinics. Also, they can volunteer for one week or more in some of these public clinics.
Each student should bring with them a stethoscope, a lab jacket and a pair of any color scrubs.

During the first week,  the students will have the standard 3-hour program in the morning and two hours of medical terminology and medical activities in the afternoon for a total of 25 hours of Spanish classes per week. After the first week, the students will have 3 hour Language Program in the morning and, in the afternoon we will coordinate activities such as visiting, interviews, assisting in the hospital, clinics, nursing home, Red Cross. Thes activities will take a minimum of 2 hours in the afternoon, every day.

Spanish Classes are from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, with a 15-minute break at 10:00 a.m. In the afternoon classes will be from 1.30 p.m to 3.30 p.m .  If a student or group of students needs to complete more hours with this program, we can make arrangements with that student or group individually.

Cost of the Program.

   1 Week 2       Weeks           3 Weeks            4 Weeks                 Additional Week

     N/A              US$843           US$1,250           US$1,500                 US$375

Prices include: Welcoming Lunch, city tour of San Isidro de El General, tuition, activities, class materials and book. Also, home stay (private room, breakfast, dinner and laundry). Additional private tutoring hour: US$18

Program Cost without home stay.

     1 Week              2 Weeks          3 Weeks        4 Weeks             Additional Week

       N/A                   US$583          US$860          US$980                 US$245

This programs include: Welcoming Lunch, city tour of San Isidro de El General, tuition, activities, class materials and book.
Tours are not included.
The weekends are free so, the students can enjoy some of the tours we offer.

Directors and coordinators of the medical Program:

Cindy Brand. North American nurse. Commonwealth of Virginia. Department of Health Professional Board of Nursing. License number: 0001133919.
Sigifredo León Valverde. Costa Rican nurse. Supervisor of the Public Health Program in San Isidro de El General Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica.
Nidia Gamboa. Director of Spanish Language, SEPA School.

_______________________________________________________

Sandy Jones --- USA--2010.

My experience with Spanish Language and Environmental Protection Center (SEPA) was one of the best things I have ever done and well worth the money.  As a nursing assistant, working in the Boston, Massachusetts area, I assist at least one Spanish speaking patient during each work shift.  I felt it would be a good idea to take a Spanish class to improve my ability to speak more effectively with the patients, and broaden my Spanish language skills in medical terminology.  When I began my search for a summer Spanish class I knew I wanted to be in an intensive Spanish program with the opportunity to work in the community where I could apply the skills I gained in nursing school.  I chose a school in Costa Rica, rather than the United States, because I had been to Costa Rica several times and felt it was a safe, fun, an unique place to be where I would be fully immersed in the Latin lifestyle.  I found SEPA online, in San Isidro de General, Costa Rica, and became very excited about the programs they had to offer.  The program I chose was designed for nurses and doctors and focused on medical terminology and explored the Costa Rican Healthcare system.  Part of the program also incorporated the opportunity to participate in community service.  A major highlight of the program was the work I did in the community.  My community work was done at a long-term senior living home.  For two weeks I work for four hours in the senior living home and then returned to the central area of town to meet with my instructor.  The senior living home was a wonderful representation of Costa Rican community health.  I fell in love with the people working and living there.  This was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life!

Here is a little more information about SEPA.  I entered the program for two full weeks.  Nidia and Wilbure, the Directors of SEPA, went out of their way to ensure my experience was the best it could possibly be.  My communication with the school was fast and efficient and they were always available for any questions that I had prior to my visit.    SEPA took the time to make sure I had all the information and even customized the program for me, because I was not part of a group.  The school was able to determine my level of Spanish and ensure the learning was applicable to my specific level of Spanish.  I was paired up with a fantastic instructor, Ana Yancy.  She spoke entirely in Spanish and was able to determine where my difficulties were.  My sessions were one-on-one and this made the sessions intensive.  Ana was creative with her teaching style and was extremely patient with me.  She has a wonderful personality as well.  Some of the classes were at the SEPA location, which was in a gorgeous setting overlooking the mountains of San Isidro de General.  When we were not at the SEPA location, we spent time exploring the amazing city of San Isidro.  Some days we walked in and out of stores, or restaurants, chatting with the locals and my instructor corrected my Spanish when needed.  Other days we visited health institutions such as, the private and public hospitals, local clinics, and the Red Cross.  Aside from the local institutions and organizations directly in San Isidro Centro, SEPA went on a field trip to a private reserve, Quebradas, which contained a botanical garden with several plants that are used in treating and healing illness. 

My time at SEPA exceeded my expectations and fulfilled everything I was hoping for in a Spanish school with the emphasis in the medical profession.  I intend on returning there soon to pick up where I left off and continue my Spanish language skills in medical terminology and community health. 

If you have specific questions regarding SEPA, please contact me by e-mail, sando21jones@gmail.com  .Do it!  You will not regret it!