TRAVEL TO LEARN	Ph. 602.538.2929 info@itraveltolearn.com
	SPANISH – ECOADVENTURE – VOLUNTEER – CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT – NATURE-BASED EXPERIENCES

HIGHLIGHTS Kayak through rainforest islands Canopy tour on Mombacho Volcano Spanish immersion classes Visits to various volcanoes Historical tours of Granada and Leon Volcano island of Ometepe Ecological reserve near Playa Roca Surfing on the Pacific Ocean

TRIP DETAILS Length: 2 - 4 weeks Price: $875/2 weeks, $1,475/4 weeks Dates: June 13-27 and/or June 13-July 14 Included: Accommodations, Spanish Classes, Some Meals, Entrance/Excursion Fees, Some Transportation Not included: Optional Weekend Trips, Round Trip Airfare, International Travel/Medical Insurance, Some Meals

THE PROGRAM | FAQs | Itinerary | Parnters | Why Volunteer?

NicaVenturaCS for college students offers eco-adventure and historical tours, an authentic Spanish language and cultural immersion program, volunteer opportunities and training in the area of multicultural awareness, creating an authentic international travel experience. Students are encouraged to create meaningful relationships and are given an opportunity to live with a Nicaraguan family for two weeks. Communication skills are enhanced while students become more culturally aware, allowing them to be extremely marketable in a global economy.

THE AREAS OF FOCUS

Eco-adventures
It is important to offer activities that keep in mind the fragile environment while giving participants an opportunity to learn how to experience it naturally. It is for this reason that we participate only in eco-adventures and collaborate with official Nicarguan eco-tourist companies and give participants plenty of opportunities to learn about the incredible ecosystem.

Spanish Immersion
It is widely known that the best way to learn a language is to experience it. Formal Spanish class sizes range from one to four students per instructor. The Program Leaders and Chaperones are fully bilingual and support Spanish immersion/instruction throughout the entire trip. Tour Guides are Spanish speakers as well, allowing students to practice their Spanish in an immersion setting.

Volunteer Work
Volunteer work gives students something to be proud of as well as an opportunity to connect with locals on a more personal level. Universities understand the value of volunteer work and look for applicants who have given time in service of others. Additionally, volunteer work allows participants to develop relationships with locals and this can sometimes be on the most rewarding experiences of a trip.

The Program | FAQ's | ITINERARY | Partners

The first two weeks of the trip are the same whether you stay for 2 or 4 weeks. The itinerary shows items in blue if they are covered in the Program Fees and red if they are optional and require an extra fee.

The Program | FAQ's | Itinerary | Partners

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I choose this program?
We know there are other programs available to students but ours is different because we have experience in all the pertinent areas.

1. Traveling abroad is a powerful learning experience that gives you a sense of accomplishment and a step above the competition when applying for jobs.
2. Students who Travel To Learn have fun, life-changing experiences and become motivated to continue their quest for knowledge in college and beyond.
3. We are experienced K-12 teachers and we understand the importance of international travel and how it relates to becoming globally-minded.
4. We have developed the Areas of Focus and incorporate them into all of our Programs in order to maximize the educational experience.
5. We have extensive international educational travel experience with students.
6. We have run successful international educational travel programs in Arizona, Montana, Canada and Mexico.
7. We have led diversity trainings for students, teachers and counselors in an outdoor retreat setting.
8. Our Program Leaders are fluent Spanish speakers and will challenge you to use your Spanish.

Who can participate?
Any college student, 18 or older, can participate. Travel To Learn will accept participants regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, income, or national origin and has no affiliation with any branch of government, political party, or interest group.

Why do volunteer work?
The quality of life in Nicaragua is considerably lower than in the United States. In fact, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Participating in volunteer work is an opportunity to help others less fortunate and it gives volunteers a feeling of pride. Volunteer work isn't a new concept but the idea is starting to reach more people. In fact, volunteer vacations are becoming more popular as evidenced by this ne

Do I have to speak Spanish to go on this trip?
Whether or not you have taken Spanish, you can participate in the program. However, having previously taken Spanish will increase your access to Nicaraguans and their culture. Remember, language is inseparable from culture so the more Spanish you know, the more you will get out of your experience.

Who is going to teach me Spanish?
Spanish Instructors: We collaborate with Casa Xalteva, a language school located in Granada. The average class size at Casa Xalteva is between 2-4 students and it is leveled. Before going to Nicaragua you will take a Spanish exam so that we can place you in the proper level. The instructors are all native Spanish speakers from Nicaragua so they will be able to share their knowledge with you. Another reason we chose to collaborate with Casa Xalteva is because they house children whose families can't take care of them. Travel To Learn tries to support local agencies and businesses, especially if they are working to help the underprivileged. Each trip is unique but there are usually opportunities to create relationships with some of the students living at Casa Xalteva.
Nicaraguans/Immersion: You must also decide to practice your Spanish outside of class. Most tours will be in Spanish and most artisans working in the market place don't speak English so you'll have to immerse yourself. Participants who practice their Spanish, regardless of fluency, learn more from the locals and get more from their travel experience.
Your Program Guides and Chaperones: Each Guide and Chaperone speaks Spanish and they will support you as you use your Spanish throughout the trip. Of course, they are also available to fall back on if you need to use English.

Where will I sleep?
While you are in Granada, you have the option of staying with a family or at a hostel. As we travel to other destinations, we will stay in hostels.

Staying with a family vs. staying at a hostel
A home stay is only an option during the first 2 weeks in Granada.
Although program fees are the same for either choice, there are two main differences.
1) When you stay with a family, all meals are paid for. This means that if you decide to eat out, you will pay for those meals.
2) When you stay in a hostel, your lunch is paid for.
Whichever one you choose, 4 dinners are paid for. This is a time for the group to get together for reflection.

Why Nicaragua?
Nicaragua contains 7% of the world's bio diversity and the second largest rainforest in the Americas. Close to 20% of the country's territory is protected as national parks or biological reserves. The country is mostly famous for its landscapes, flora and fauna, culture, beaches and of course, its lakes and volcanoes. According to the Ministry of Tourism of Nicaragua, the colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua is the preferred spot for tourists. It is also home to the second largest lake in Latin America. Other main tourist attractions near Granada are the city of Masaya, the volcano island of Ometepe and Mombacho Volcano. It is in this colonial town of Granada that participants will spend their first week receiving the majority of their Spanish classes.
Nicas (the local slang for Nicaraguans) are wonderful people. They are very welcoming, very proud of their culture and very willing to share cultural views with travelers.

Is Nicaragua safe?
Nicaragua is safe. Statistics show that it is safer than Washington DC or Costa Rica. Click here for safety information

The Program | FAQ's | Itinerary | Partners | PARTNERS

Travel To Learn collaborates with organizations that protect the natural environment through tourism or sustainable building and that keep in mind community resources by hiring local labor and by giving back to the it.

Casa Xalteva
Casa Xalteva Spanish Language School is a program of Fundación Casa Xalteva, a non-profit educational and charitable foundation chartered by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education. In addition to providing high-quality Spanish instruction, our purpose is to promote international and intercultural awareness and cooperation among all peoples. Our Spanish Language School in Granada Nicaragua welcomes students of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Working with Nicaraguans from a variety of backgrounds, we hope to share awareness of the Spanish language and the rich culture of Nicaragua with people from North America, Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. Through our volunteer social service programs we hope also to contribute something back to help improve the lives of our Nicaraguan hosts. The foundation also raises funds for a variety of programs to help alleviate the poverty in Nicaragua, including social services for children.
Casa Xalteva Spanish language school is an independent center with no formal political or religious affiliations. However, we operate with a set of values that forms our approach to teaching and learning. These values include a respect for all individuals and cultures; an environmentally-sound development and grassroots democracy; support for peace and social justice; and a strong belief in the spiritual dimension of human existence and harmony with the natural world.
Casa Xalteva Spanish language school takes its name from one of the groups of indigenous people who inhabited the shores of Lake Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest.