Cultural Immersion Trips at Mark Day School

For Mark Day School students, language learning extends far beyond vocabulary and verb conjugation. It encompasses developing cross-cultural literacy: understanding different cultures, communicating across cultural boundaries, and forming meaningful relationships with people whose life experiences differ significantly from their own.

This spring, a group of 7th and 8th grade students traveled to Samara, Costa Rica, for an immersive Spanish language experience at Intercultura, a local language school. They spent four hours each day in small, level-appropriate classes that focused entirely on spoken Spanish. They played games, engaged in interactive activities, and participated in real-life conversations. Their language skills were tested not through written exams, but through speaking—an approach that challenged students in new ways and capitalized on different strengths.

Outside of class, students encountered other opportunities to practice Spanish in real-world settings. They stayed with local host families who spoke only Spanish; every meal and conversation became an opportunity to practice and learn. Living with Costa Rican families also gave students a glimpse into daily life in a rural beach town, where simple homes without hot water or air conditioning provided a contrast to their own routines. These moments of cultural immersion helped deepen their understanding of the language and the people who speak it. Spanish Teacher Gustavo Jimenez says, “Whether navigating local markets, ordering food, or engaging in meaningful conversations with community members, they demonstrated remarkable growth in their ability to express themselves naturally and comfortably in Spanish.” 

Beyond language learning, students participated in meaningful service projects in partnership with CREAR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to community development. They spent afternoons with local 4th and 5th graders at an elementary school, helped clean and restore a public park, and painted a school fence. These hands-on experiences allowed them to connect with the community while using their Spanish in a practical and impactful way.

Students also explored Costa Rica’s rich landscape and traditions through a variety of activities, from cooking and dance classes to surf lessons and ziplining. They visited a coffee farm run by an indigenous cooperative, where they learned about traditional farming methods, and spent time with an indigenous community that shared its pottery-making traditions. And a boat tour offered a chance to see whales and dolphins up close.

Since returning, the impact of this trip is evident in the classroom. Students have a new sense of confidence in their Spanish abilities and a greater willingness to engage in class discussions. They approach speaking the language with a different mindset—less afraid of mistakes, more eager to communicate. Spanish Teacher Tracy Caton says, “It’s amazing to see how each student has grown in their fluency, comprehension, confidence, and comfort with Spanish after their experience in Costa Rica. Engaging with the language in real-world settings has deepened their skills in a way that goes beyond the classroom.  As a teacher, it’s incredibly gratifying to see the shift in how they approach the language and to know they had this invaluable opportunity to connect, communicate, and grow.” Spanish Teacher Silvia Buckley recalls one of her students commenting: “Now we understand what we discussed in class about Latin American culture. We got to see it."

Opportunities like this immersion trip are invaluable for students. They provide a deeper, more personal connection to the language, culture, and people—and they’ve been happening at Mark Day for decades. In a few weeks, a group of 7th and 8th graders taking Mandarin will travel to our partner school, Ren-Ai, in Taiwan (read more about last year’s trip here). We are looking forward to hearing more about their experience and how it’s impacted their learning.