back to Medical Spanish Info page

Medical Spanish FAQ's

1. What is it?

This relaxing, low stress one-week seminar, at a hot springs resort in tropical Costa Rica, is designed to prepare all levels of health care providers with basic and useful communication tools to assess, treat and teach your Spanish speaking clients.  We will cover all body systems  including associated symptoms, diseases, tests and treatments.  The focus will be on basic communication skills, rather than on memorizing lists of words.  We will learn how to listen to similarities and connections in terms & syntax, ask questions, listen for responses and ask clients to move, turn, deep breathe and participate in examination & treatment.

2. What's the schedule?

The course itself is 20 hours spread out over five days, with plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the resort's facilities and explore the area.  The class itself is from Monday October 18 to 22, 2010.  There are optional pre & post course extension trips to Arenal Volcano and Playa Grande, some of the spectacular natural wonders of Costa Rica.  There is also an optional day trip to the high mountain Rain Forest with optional horse back riding or hiking in the rain forest.  Some days we will have more class time, and others less, to facilitate general relaxation and exploration.  Maximum of 6 hours class time per day, spread out in several sessions.  At least one class session involves a trip to the local drug store, pharmacy and grocery to examine products and terminology.

3. What is the cost?

The course fee is $300.00 and includes a Medical Spanish reference tool that is yours forever.  The room and board for the course is $400 for the nights of October 18 to 21, 2010 ( class officially ends Oct 22). You are welcome to bring guests and they need only pay the room & board fee, not the class fee.

Everyone is invited at the same rate to the extension trips at Arenal Volcano for $300 pp( Oct 16 & 17, 2010) and Playa Grande for $225pp ( Oct 22 & 23, 2010), Meals, non alcoholic beverages, and transfer to or from class included.  The optional day trip to the Rainforest farm fee is  50 dollars per person, including horse rental and local guide.

4 . Any special discounts?

Yes, if you complete registration by June 15, 2010 you can take a 15% discount off course fee. 

If you register by August 10, 2010 you can take a 10% discount off course fee.

5. What are the accommodations?

The hot springs resort has 12 cabinas, with various numbers and arrangements of beds.  Each has large windows with screens & louvers, ceiling fans,  and  a large covered deck with a bench for Nature & Wildlife viewing.

The lodging at Arenal depends on how many people choose this option.  We will stay in a private Villa in the center of the National Park, or a Hotel, both with amazing views of the active side of the volcano ( weather permitting).

The lodging at the beach is a lovely hotel on the beach itself.  This hotel is largely responsible for the National Park Los Baulas, the leatherback turtle.  This time of year is the nesting season, and if you choose you can sign up and try your luck at seeing one of these amazing ancient animals lay eggs. It is an experience that brings goose bumps it is so amazing.

The food is fresh and delicious in Costa Rica,  I have stayed in these hotel and eaten there many times. There is no concern with drinking the water or swimming in the pools and hot tubs while at the places we stay.

 The food on the day trip to the Rainforest has been voted the best in Costa Rica by all my friends, both Tico and visitors.  The food is grown on the surrounding farm, including the milk, homemade cheese and very yummy corn tortillas about ½ inch thick! The name of the hotel is Santa Maria Vulcan Lodge in Colonia Blanca Costa Rica-- this is about an hour from the Liberia International Airport (LIR is the airport code)

6. What is the weather like?

Most of the time it will be a warm and humid for most of us,  the hot springs area tends to be a little cooler as it  is in the mountains and it is not as hot  as near the ocean.  It is a tropical rainforest, so be prepared for an occasional shower.  The rain is warm, and I have found that light clothes that dry quickly are best.  When I hike in my waterproof windbreaker I find that the sweat and heat of it is more irritating then that of getting a little wet from the rain.  I like light weight easy dry long sleeve shirts, boots and umbrellas.  Sometimes at night it cools down, so some fleece clothes that are warm wet or dry and dry quick might be nice to bring along.

7. What do I need to bring?

Bring a relaxed attitude leave the stress from work and home behind. Bring light easy to dry clothes and remember that part of the retreat is in a rain forest, so come prepared with waterproof shoes and an umbrella. Bring your bathing suit, waterproof sunscreen and sun hat.  It is easy to buy an extra lightweight( quicker dry)  towels in Costa Rica.  It can get cool at night, even in the tropics at these elevations so pack a light fleece, rain coats are a overkill as it is too hot and you get just as wet inside.

Bring all prescriptions medicines you need. waterproof shoes, sandals,  clothes, umbrellas, hat, sun glasses, sun screen, bug spray and flashlight. Now you can shop and get all these things in Costa Rica, but remember to leave your self  time to do so.

You may want to bring field glasses, cameras, bird watching needs, and a small note pad.

Please bring the Spanish text we send you upon completion of registration, any pens and note pads you might want as well.  Please bring an open and willing mind, ready to practice Spanish and have a great time.  We will have some simulated physical exams, real life pharmacy trip and some fun learning surprises as well.

8. How do I register?

Registration is available multiple ways, you can fill out the registration form available on www.deepahealth.com, download a pdf version, or email or call for one. Next, simply return your completed form, along with a money order for the course fee & board fees and any extra options ( don't forget to apply your early registration discounts!), via  snail mail to Deepa Health  c/o M. Gleason 300 Long View Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.  We will send you a confirmation receipt and your text.

Please call if you have any questions or need assistance with any of these processes; you can call Neal at 831-345-0346.

9. How do I get to Costa Rica? How to I get to the event?

The class & extensions are going to be in some of the loveliest, and mellow parts of Costa Rica.  Were as the Ticos (Costa Ricans) would say it's "muy tranquillo"  these spots have been chosen for their beauty and relaxing nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trail.

The closest airport is Liberia, the capital city of the Province of Guanacaste, and it's International Airport code is LIR.  Round trip flights  from Los Angeles to Liberia range  from 300 to 700 dollars, depending on the time of year.

San Jose is about 3-4 hours away from the class site, and we can help provide you with transportation arrangements. If you wish to rent a car, we can provide instructions on driving to the retreat site. Conational airlines was offering round trip flights from Los Angeles California to San Jose Costa Rica for $364 in March of 2010.

There are infinite combinations of taxis, busses, hired transport vans, and rental cars to get you to the hot springs.  You might want to arrive early or stay late to explore some of the other wonderful parts of Costa Rica, and we will happily make recommendations or reservations for you.

back to Medical Spanish Info page