Proctor en Monteverde: Finding A Home Away from Home

Proctor en Monteverde students are settling into life in Costa Rica, navigating the daily rhythms of homestay living, Spanish immersion, and the stunning natural environment of the cloud forest. None of this is easy – adjusting to a new family, communicating in Spanish, and being away from the familiar comforts of home all take courage for our 10th-grade students! It is precisely these challenges that make the experience so meaningful. In their reflections below, students share how unexpected conversations have shifted their perspectives, how initial nerves about living with host families have given way to a sense of belonging, and how the food, wildlife, and slower pace of life shape their experience. Check out their writing and photos below!

Willa ‘28

Something I Didn't Know I Needed, But Really Did

I didn't expect a drive home in Monteverde to change the way I think about success- but it did.  Every evening in Monteverde ends the same way. The same hum of the red minivan, the cicadas chirping, and the disappearance of the sun as Kathia drives us back to our homestay families. I'm always either the first to be dropped off or the last. Oftentimes, when I'm the last to be dropped off its near dusk. I remember the night clearly. It was just past golden hour, the sun a beautiful display of red and orange as far as my eyes could see. The air was still as Kathia and I sat shoulder to shoulder in the red mini van I’ve gotten oh-so-familiar with. The conversation picked up quickly.  We talked about anything and everything, but tonight we talked about the sunsets. We spoke about how not even she, who's lived here for years upon years, could get sick of a view like the one we were driving through. She mentioned younger generations, about how they view life. She took a deep breath, and she said that newer generations tie success and money too closely – having the biggest house, best car, and everything new. I tried to speak, but my words caught in my throat. She was right, newer generations are so focused on becoming rich that they forget the real purpose and meaning of life. Living. 

Kathia spoke with passion, the rise and fall of her chest attesting to it. She spoke about how happy she was, how her life isn't perfect in every way, but she has her friends, her family, her small house, her husband, and the beautiful mountainous town of Monteverde, where she feels safe and secure. “I may not have the biggest house, but I have a home full of love and people in this town worth waking up for.” I was transfixed by the words coming out of her mouth. I sat upright and looked out the window. The sun had completely set. The sky was dark, the wind was hitting me and pushing back my hair, and I was with what I had heard. She spoke again, “Even if I were to receive a large amount of money, I still wouldn't keep it. I'd give it to schools, help families, and work on senior care here because that's where I'm headed. She parked at my bus stop, and she smiled and waved me goodbye. Her final words seemed to glide down my throat and settle in my stomach, something I needed to digest this information. 

“I left that night with a new perspective – not answers but directions. new reasons to keep moving forward, and new goals. I found myself wanting to give back, to slow down, and be content with what I have.  But most importantly, I found myself wanting to look up at the sunsets and focus on the now.”
~ Willa ‘28

A Home Away From Home

Amelia ‘28

My name is Amelia, and I live with the Mata family, which includes my mom and dad, Marybel, and Felix. They have four kids, but only one lives at home, and her name is Wanda. Wanda and I have grown very close, and we sometimes go out to dinner together. This family has been nothing but kind to me. They're always making sure I'm okay and want to spend time getting to know me. Marybel's brother, Alexander, lives just across the property, and I have been getting very close with him and his wife. They have a beautiful garden where we drink coffee and eat lunch together. One special memory I carry with me is when the family took me to watch a sunset, and we had a picnic. The sunset was beautiful, and it brought me closer to my family. 

My Costa Rican Host Family

Audrey ‘28

From a different point of view, my name is Audrey Leith, and I live with the Jimenez family. I have a 15-year-old and a 21-year-old sister and a 14-year-old brother, and over the first few weeks, I have grown very close to all of them. My host Mom and Dad have been so incredibly welcoming to me. My host dad, Ramiro, owns a bakery right next to the house and has amazing food. I'm so thankful I have siblings near my age. On the weekends, I will go hang out with all of their friends, whom I have also gotten to know really well, and we play soccer at their school. I also share a special memory with my family, they brought me to the beach for the weekend. I played with my sibling in the ocean all day, and it brought me so much closer to the family.

Living with a host family you’ve never met before can feel a little uncomfortable at first, but it's all part of the experience. The first few days are an adjustment, speaking Spanish and getting used to a new routine, but each day you grow more confident and independent. Before long, you build a genuine connection with your host family and start to feel at home. It’s an experience that helps you grow and makes your time in Costa Rica more special and very impactful.

From Fear to Belonging

Abbie ‘28

One of my very first memories in Monteverde, Costa Rica, was the car ride from the town of Santa Elena to my host family’s house. I remember being absolutely terrified for what was to come. The thought of having to leave all my friends in my group to live with strangers was horrifying, and I had no idea what to expect. However, the second I stepped out of the van and saw my host mom, Hellen, and host sister, Alina, I was immediately greeted with immense warmth and comfort from both of them. They showed me around their house, introduced me to their adorable dog and cat, Luna and Gigi, and made sure to tell me multiple times that their home was now my home as well. Every doubt I had up until that point about whether or not I should have gone on this program vanished. I felt so at home, and beyond grateful for my new family. These past weeks with them have been nothing short of incredible. Already, I have met many of their family members, learnt so much Spanish, and watched many movies and TV shows with Alina.

There have been so many experiences that I could have never imagined in the United States. One of my favorites so far was the weekend trip I took with my host family to a river in Guacimal. We left late Saturday afternoon and went to a cabin on a farm owned by one of their friends. That night we had a barbecue on the rocks next to the river with another family who was staying on the farm and the owner. Even though almost none of them spoke English, I felt so lucky to be able to share this experience with them. It was just a normal weekend night to them, but such a new and meaningful experience to me. 

Looking back at it now, I realize how silly it was that I was scared out of my mind to meet these people who welcomed me so quickly. I am so grateful that I am able to get to know them, and so excited to see what new memories and experiences we will make together.        

Letting Them In

Parker ‘28

One of the most significant aspects of visiting Costa Rica is staying with a homestay family. As a boarding student, I thought this would be a similar experience, but it's not. It's different because you aren't with your friends. You are with an amazing family that is so patient and wants to help with your transition. Most families have done this multiple times, so they know what they are doing, and you can trust them. 

I have always been an adventurous kid. I knew that coming to Costa Rica was going to be my biggest adventure. I was so excited to be here for two months. For the first two days we were here, we stayed in Liberia near the beach. It was so fun because we got to spend time with each other before we left for our host families. I had no idea what to expect and what it was going to be like speaking mostly Spanish. 

It was a long drive to Montaverde. The first thing we did when we got there was get lunch because we were all hungry. We had pizza, and it was so good! The first one dropped off was Willa. When we dropped her off, it hit me that we were going to be here for a while, and when we are at our houses, we won't have each other. I was also so overwhelmed by the fact that I was only speaking Spanish. When we got to my stop, my brothers were there to welcome me. They were so excited and gave me big hugs. Their grandmother was also there to welcome me, and she was so nice. My younger brothers know a little bit of English, which helped a little. The older sister knows a lot of English, so that made me feel better. 

This was like nothing I have ever done before. All day, I had butterflies in my stomach because of the nerves. After dinner, I took a shower and headed to bed because I was so tired from the day I had. All night, I was tossing and turning because it was so quiet. In the middle of the night I ended up getting sick. It made me want to be home with my parents. The hardest part was understanding that this was a normal response to being nervous and homesick. As time went on, I learned to trust my family, and I can rely on them for whatever I need.

Looking back, I don’t know why I was as nervous as I was because my family is so nice and trustworthy. They love hosting kids, and they just want to make you feel welcome. 

For the Foodies, and the Nature Nerds

Molly ‘28

As soon as we got off the plane and into Kathia's car, you could tell that the food was going to be good. We were all extremely hungry after getting off the plane, so Kathia took us to have our first meal in Costa Rica. Oh. My. Goodness. That first lunch set the bar really high. The first lunch was rice, beans, salad, and the choice between chicken or fish. Most of us chose the fish, which was extremely good! All of the food that we have been fed has been homemade and authentic, which, in my opinion, makes all of the food even better. Some of my favorite foods we have had are the quesadilla, arroz con pollo, and so much more!! But with food, there is also nature and the wildlife! So far, we have seen so many amazing animals, including the Pizote (we have seen these every day), the Mot Mot (the National bird of Nicaragua), the agouti, Scorpions, and so much more! 

“Costa Rica is one of the five original blue zones in the world! For those of you who do not know, a blue zone is a place where people allegedly live longer because of the climate and way of life. There are over 1,400 different types of orchids, 10,000 different types of plants, 900 types of birds, and 200 types of amphibians. Watching the wildlife has been so much fun because our classroom is located on campus, right at the edge of the forest. So if you love food and love interesting and different wildlife, I suggest applying to Costa Rica to be able to experience all sorts of new foods and nature.”
~ Molly ’28

View More Photos from Proctor en Monteverde Winter 2026