With summer just around the corner, many students are filling out job applications, packing for long vacations, or picking up their summer reading books to get a head start.  Others, are getting ready to fly off to Costa Rica for the 2012 Foreign Exchange Program. Accompanied by Mr. Sturges and Mrs. Bollino from July 13 to July 27, sixteen American students will travel to San Jose and meet the Costa Rican families they will be living with for two weeks. During this time, these students will try to learn about the Costa Rican culture, and communicate in as much Spanish as they can.

These students were chosen based on their ability to communicate and understand the language. In preparation for Costa Rica, the students had to communicate with a teacher for fifteen minutes in Spanish.  As difficult as it may have been to communicate, they will constantly face this challenge in Costa Rica.  The total cost of the trip was $1,450, including Costa Rican tours and roundtrip plane flights.  Students have met with Mr. Sturges, Mrs. Tierney, Mrs. Bacon, and Mrs. Bollino for information about the trip. Going over conduct rules, emergencies, things to pack, and even assigning homework, were all essential to make these teachers feel the students are ready to fly out of the country. Mr Sturges, head of the exchange program, says “The exchange allows us to share languages, experiences, points of view, and interests.” These sixteen students have been preparing for weeks, and are more than ready for this exciting adventure.

Many students, if not all of them, have already communicated with their Costa Rican through Facebook or Skype, and are very comfortable with who they were chosen to stay with.  A gift is required for each of the students to give to their Costa Rican or “Tico.”  Students will visit a coffee farm, arenal hot springs, the beach, ziplining, random trips to the city of San Jose, and some much needed free days. Sophomore Gracie Nelson says “I am looking forward to visiting a place I have never been and having the ability to make friends, while also learning about a new language.” Students will find the school in Costa Rica is much different from Walpole High and are guaranteed to see a lot of rain.

Following the first part of the exchange in July, students plan to keep their communication going through Skype and Facebook.  American students will then host their Costa Rican for two weeks in December. Sophomore Remy Love says “Being able to see the Ticos experience snow will definitely be a fun memory.”  Students have no idea how all four weeks during the exchange will turn out, but hopefully it will be a beneficial and life long experience they can cherish and one day encourage others to take.  “I expect everyone to participate in the exchange with an open mind and a desire to communicate in Spanish.  I also hope the exchange allows everyone to build friendships, to appreciate a foreign culture, and to instill a desire to travel more in the future,” Sturges says.  As shown by previous exchanges, the 2012 Foreign Exchange program will not only educate these students, but imprint life long memories.