Sámara Language School is Committed to the Community

Learn Spanish and Volunteer in Costa Rica
We believe that there is more to a school than teaching and learning Spanish. At Intercultura Spanish School, we are committed to giving back to the communities that host us. Our organizational structure aims to provide employment and growth opportunities for local community members and businesses via the implementation of a decentralized and socially-conscious business model.
 
Intercultura focuses on supporting local micro-business development and environmental sustainability, and lobbies to improve community-wide infrastructure and working conditions. Our immersion programs are designed to facilitate students' participation in and utilization of local services during their programs at Intercultura, thus bringing tangible benefits and real growth to the town. In addition, our volunteer programs provide a venue for foreign students to experience life-changing situations and contribute to the various sustainable development and educational programs we sponsor.
 
Intercultura is the only Spanish School in Costa Rica approved by the United Nations Global Compact, a network of businesses recognized for their contributions in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility, or RSE - Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en español). Though a for-profit enterprise, as part of our Community Committment we invest most of our profits back into community, staff and facility development, and in addition run a year-round, non-profit educational program, the CREAR Association, providing 100% free supplementary education for local children. In both Heredia and Samara, we support selected environmental, social and development projects, offering logistical assistance, materials, scholarships and, in some cases, monetary donations to many non-profit organizations.  At both campuses, we provide volunteer opportunities for interested Spanish students.
 
The following are some of the organizations that we work with: 
  • CREAR Association: supplementary & creative education for local schoolchildren
  • Rahab Foundation: rehabilitation for victims of sexual commerce and exploitation
  • Drug Rehabilitation Project for Young People CREA, Heredia
  • Oxford University Costa Rica Conservation Expedition
  • Torito, San Fernando, Sámara, and Heredia Public Schools
  • CASATUR - Sámara Tourism and Community Development Association
  • Carrillo Wild Animal Refuge Centre
  • Heredia Domestic Animal Shelter
  • Heredia State Orphanage
  • Sámara Pacific School
  • Sámara Sports Associations
  • Heredia Homeless Groups
  • Nicoya Environmental & Sustainable Farming Project
  • Turtle Refuge Project
  • Alajuela Clinic & Hospital
  • Children's Hospital Teletón
  • Sámara Community Development Association
  • Heredia & Sámara Emergency & Medical Relief
  • Heredia & Sámara Police Force

To find out how YOU can help, please click here to learn more about our Volunteer Program.