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About Us:
Location
 Costa Rica
Climate:
The climate on the central meseta (central tableland) is fairly even year round, with the temperatures ranging generally between 70-75 degrees. Two seasons, the rainy (May to October) and the dry (November to April) combine to produce the beauty of this garden paradise. Beautiful flowers can be seen on the highway from the airport and throughout town, and grow without much effort.
People
Cost Rican people are very kind and patient people. One of the phrases used in daily interaction to describe kindnesses is "muy amable". It is also used to describe the "Tico" (the people of Costa Rica) ...thus making it a great place to study language.
Visa
US citizens are given 90 day visas upon showing a US passport. Nothing else is required to obtain the 90 day visa. At orientation we will discuss what to do after the 90 day period.
Immigration
When you arrive you will first pass through Immigration. You will be given a 90 day visa. Do not show the letter given you by DFM unless you are asked for it. Immigration officers are very kind and polite and will process your visa without question usually.
Customs
From Immigration you will proceed to claim your baggage and move to Customs. Tell the officers you are there to study language and they will probably move you on through without opening your baggage. If they should open a few pieces, be patient. There should be no duty on any of the items you bring and you will soon be on your way. Very seldom are any bags opened.
San Jose
San Jose is a large city, fairly modern by present day standards. Downtown during the day is crowded with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Large buildings all clustered around the center plaza and the Catholic Church. The city is a sight to behold and an experience to be enjoyed. Streets jammed with parked cars, and others trying to get through, slow one down long enough to enjoy the people as they make their way to shops and business places. The National Theater, in the heart of the city, is the venue for symphonic concerts, and nearby is the waiting place for the famed mariachi bands, colorfully dressed, awaiting an invitation to perform. The central market is a place to visit, if even for a walkthrough. Museums can also be found in the city, and of course, the city wouldn't be San Jose without McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and many typical restaurants that make the visit a very enjoyable experience.
Zapote
San Jose is divided into barrios, or neighborhoods. CINCEL is located in the barrio, Zapote (a fruit that looks like, and has the texture of a big brown avocado, although the pulp is bright red-orange and sweet) which is located on the east side of San Jose. While Zapote is mainly a residential zone, nearby in barrios Los Yoses and San Pedro can be found supermarkets, pharmacies, the large San Pedro Mall with food court, many nice restaurants, and the University of Costa Rica.
Also near CINCEL one can find Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway, McDonalds, and traveling a distance a Denny's and Tony Romas.
Address
Locations within San Jose are usually not difficult to find. However, because of the irregularity of the terrain and frequent absence of street signs and house numbers, residents rely primarily on landmarks and transportation routes to get around. A typical address is identified as being in a general area identified by a familiar landmark and a given number of meters (in increments of 100s = blocks) in a given direction of the compass.
The CINCEL address is as follows: On the road to Zapote (general location), from the Sede Lechera (specific landmark), 250 meters north, 100 meters west, 100 meters south, dead end road, cream colored buildings. In Spanish: Carretera Zapote, de la Sede Lechera, 250 metros al norte, 100 metros al oeste, y 100 metros al sur, calle sin salida, edificio color crema.
Leadership & Direction
CINCEL operates under the general direction of a board which includes members of the missions department of the Assemblies of God, USA. Serving on the board are Reverend Richard Nicholson, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and six other Area Directors: Reverend Bob Adams, for the Caribbean; Reverend Butch Frey, for Mexico; Reverend Paul Weis, for Central America; Reverend Donald Exley, for the Southern Cone; Reverend Ramon Talley, for the Andes; and Reverend Kenneth Dahlager, Director at Large. Other Directors are Reverend Jay Dickerson, Director of CINCEL, and Mr. Luis Solano MA, Academic Director of CINCEL.
The administration of daily activity, course selection, missionary/student placement, classroom instruction and supervision of personnel is handled by the General Director, Jay Dickerson, and the Academic Director, Luis Solano.
All personnel and missionaries/students of CINCEL participate under the general direction of the Central America Area Director, Paul Weis. Jay Dickerson , General Director
Luis Solano, Academic Director
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