*In this photo:* A group of DSU students show off their language certificates they earned as part of their recent Spanish immersion experience in the Central American country of Costa Rica.

On Campus

Costa Rica Spanish immersion trip for DSU students

Saturday, May 30, 2026

From May 9 to May 18, 2026, the Department of Languages and Literatures hosted a study abroad trip to study Spanish at the Intercultural Language School in Heredia, Costa Rica. The trip provided an immersive language and cultural experience. Students lived with host families, completed 20 hours of Spanish classes, and took part in daily cultural activities, including Latin dance classes, cultural exchanges with local Costa Ricans, and a cooking class. Some of the DSU folks bravely prepared to elevate themselves with some high-wire zip lining.

The group participated in four excursions: a beach day at Playa Blanca, a trip to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a city and museum tour of San José, and a weekend trip to La Fortuna to enjoy Costa Rica’s spectacular nature, wildlife, waterfalls, and hot springs. Students gained insight into the local culture, improved their Spanish, and developed an appreciation for the environmental protections that make Costa Rica unique.

Fifteen DSU students attended: Jazmin Bailey, Benjamin Bluestone, Sanchez Brinelus, Asyah Childrey-Harris, Makayla Cole, Leah Davis, Isis Harrison, Elizabeth Harrington, Makyiah Johnson, Nina-Simone Pettis, Yanell Pimentel, William Schwerha, Isis Serrette-Jones, Mia Thomas, and Gary Vines III.

The students were led by four chaperones – Dr. Joseph Fees, Associate Professor of Spanish; Mrs. Vilma Lazo-Butera, Visiting Spanish Lecturer; Dr. Kimeu Boynton, Associate Dean of the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Science; and Ms. Angela Cosey, Administrative Assistant, ESL Office. Additionally, Dr. Debbie Harrington, a DSU Board of Trustees member, participated on the trip. The DSU group experienced the Costa Rican cuisine at its best.

Submitted by Dr. Joseph Fees.