By BRITTANY WALL

Staff Writer

Twenty foreign language students will call Costa Rica home for four weeks this summer.

Tom Lewis, a foreign language professor, said the Foreign Languages Department, in conjunction with an institute in San Jose, will send students to Costa Rica from June 5-July 2 to stay with a family and learn to speak Spanish fluently.

"Most of these families can't speak any English," Lewis said. "Students will really be able to become fluent in the language this way."

Lewis said during their visit, students will take classes four and five hours a day, five days a week. These classes will count for six hours of semester credit.

"I was thinking of going because it sounds like an interesting trip," Alicia Sanders, a sophomore Spanish major, said.

"Those six hours will also help me get some of the hours I need out of the way."

The trip will cost a total of $3,100 and the deadline for the application and first deposit of $1,000 is Wednesday.

The final balance of $2,100 is due March 1.

"If you withdraw before February 1 you'll get a refund of all of your money except $200," Lewis said.

"But after May 2, there will be no refunds unless there is a doctor recommendation for a very serious disease. Then the student will receive a $2,000 refund."

Lewis said the fees will cover round-trip airfare, Tech tuition for credit hours, books, workbooks, handouts, room and board, two meals a day, laundry service, weekly excursions, airport transfer, a Latin dance class, daily Internet access and health insurance.

Lewis said students interested in receiving financial aid for the trip can contact Jan Ely in the Financial Aid office at 257-2641.

But Lewis also said students must meet the criteria, which are to complete Spanish 102 or the equivalency exam and have a 2.0 GPA in foreign languages.

Only 20 of these applicants will be accepted.

"One or two professors from Tech will be accompanying the students on the trip," Lewis said. "It just depends on the number of students who attend."

Jenna Faubert, a freshman nursing major, said she is very excited about the possibility of being able to go to study abroad.

"I think this will be a great experience," Faubert said. "It's a great opportunity for students to learn the language."

Lewis also said he feels there are many benefits for students who decide to go on the trip.

"Students will be immersed in the language and be able to learn much more rapidly," Lewis said. "They will also get face to face experience with the Hispanic culture that they wouldn't get on campus."