Description

Host Institution: International Center for Development Studies & Universidad Latina de Costa Rica - Semester, Summer & Academic Year programs

Credits: Students can earn 12-15 semester credits per semester or 6 semester credits per summer program.

Academic Focus: Development in Latin America, Spanish Language, Environmental Studies, Human Rights, International Business, Latin American Society & Culture.

Curriculum: Students take 5 courses during the semester, 3 courses during the spring quarter, and either 1 or 2 courses during the summer.

Housing: Students will live with host families to improve their Spanish and gain a better understanding of Costa Rican culture. Host families will provide weekly laundry, 2 meals per day during the week (Mon-Thurs) and 3 meals per day on weekends (Fri-Sun).

Sample Day Excursions:Guayabo is an ancient city where our students go to learn about the archaeological and cultural importance it holds.

Sample Overnight Excursions: Iguazu Falls; Uruguay trip including Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento.

Highlights

For such a small country, Costa Rica has a lot to brag about. It covers only 0.03 % of the surface of the globe, but it proudly shelters 6% of the existing biodiversity in the entire world. It is also one of the most peaceful countries on earth and has not had an army since 1949. The money saved by not having an army has been invested in the Costa Rican people (known as "Ticos"), who benefit from one of the best health care systems in the world.

Located in Central America, south of Nicaragua and north of Panama, Costa Rica is blessed with the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. While the overall climate is tropical, the weather at higher elevations can can be cooler than the weather near the coast.

Around five million people live in Costa Rica in one of the seven provinces, which are San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Limon. While it may seem like 19,730 square miles and seven provinces is a lot of space, 25.6% of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory.

For those who love outdoor activities, Costa Rica is the place to be. From surfing and snorkeling to ziplining and hiking, there is no lack of things to do. Thanks to beautiful beaches on both sides of the country, and mountains and volcanoes in the interior, there is always something to keep you busy and active.

International Center for Development Studies (ICDS)

With a highly qualified and professional international team, ICDS organizes a great variety of technical and educational programs, providing international students with the opportunity to sharpen their Spanish skills, gain an understanding of Central and Latin America's cultural richness and acquire in depth knowledge and hands-on experience on the challenges of cultural diversity, environment, and development in the region.

ICDS offers study abroad programs during the spring and fall semesters, spring quarter, and summer. All programs are interdisciplinary and highly participatory, and offer experiential learning opportunities through field trips and site visits related to the course subjects. ICDS programs offer students the chance for complete cultural and language immersion through homestays with local families and by the progressive incorporation of their developing Spanish skills into the course dynamics, thus making the programs practically bilingual.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Subject Areas

• Culture
• Environmental Studies
• Human Rights Advocacy
• International Business
• Latin American Studies
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Program Fees Include:

* Room & Board with a Costa Rican host family. Includes 2 meals a day on weekdays, 3 meals a day on weekends and holidays, and one load of laundry per week. Rooms are single occupancy - 1 student per family.
* Excursions: 2 overnight excursions and 2 day excursions are included with all semester and quarter programs. 2 day excursions are included with all summer programs.
* Tuition at ICDS and the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica.
* Academic Credits: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution. Possible number of semester credits: 15 per semester program, 10 per quarter program, or 6 per summer program.
* Official Transcript: At the conclusion of the program, an official transcript from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica will be sent to your home institution.
* Internet Access at their host institution.
* Airport Pick-up at San Jose (SJO) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time.
* Airport Drop-off at San Jose (SJO) airport for students to depart on the designated date(s).
* Medical Insurance: for a Description of Coverage, please visit our Information Library.
* Site Director: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.
* Pre-departure Online Video Program (semester programs only), pre-departure packet, & on-site orientation.

Experience Required

yes

Must be at least 18 years of age and have completed at least 1 semester of study at a U.S. university, college, or community college. Open to students with any level of Spanish. GPA must be 2.75 or higher (firm). Must submit official transcript and 2 passport photos. 1 letter of recommendation is required, regardless of whether your GPA meets the minimum requirement.

This Program is open to

American and Canadian Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hours

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Academic Studies Abroad's Mission Statement

Everyone at ASA is dedicated to making sure that all of our students achieve three goals: - A true feeling and understanding for the culture they are immersed in; - A memorable and safe once-in-a-lifetime experience; - Personal growth through a better understanding of the world around you.

Year Founded

1999