Description

The KIIS summer program in Costa Rica provides students the opportunity to explore the ecological and cultural wonders of this small, yet vibrant nation. This 36-day program, situated in one of the most advanced democracies in Latin America, offers students a wide range of study options.

Costa Rica is located in Central America with Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north. It is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is a country of diverse geography, with active volcanoes and protected rainforests. During the program, students live with two different families- one in the north in San Ramon and one in the south in Colorado.

Students fly to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, and from there travel to the Monteverde Cloud Forest in the northern part of the country. Here the students stay in Santa Elena, the closest village to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of Costa Rica's most popular destinations. Our group will meet the women of a local crafts cooperative, visit the Cloud Forest School, and spend half a day hiking in the biological reserve.

Highlights

Students will be given the opportunity to visit some of Costa Rica's magnificent natural sites, including visits to the Arenal Volcano and the Tabacon Thermal Water complex and students will enjoy learning about local culture through visits to picturesque rural mountain villages. During the tour of San Jose, students will visit the National Assembly and will have lunch with one of the senators from San Carlos. The Gold Museum, just three blocks away, has the second largest gold collection in the world with a total of 1,400 pounds of gold distributed throughout its exhibits. Students will also tour the National Museum. The highlight of this excursion will be the tour of the Costa Rican White House where students will be hosted by the office of the First Lady of Costa Rica. During the last week of the trip, students will spend two days at a beautiful beach resort on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, where they will again have direct contact with yet another type of rainforest.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

• Agricultural Sciences
• Anthropology
• Education
• Geography
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

2725 USD

Program Fees Include:

* All ground and air transportation in Costa Rica
* All local excursions and field trips
* Room and three meals per day
* International Student Identity Card
* Up to six credit hours
* Cost with airfare available upon request

Experience Required

no

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-3 wks. following app. deadline

Kentucky Institute for International Studies's Mission Statement

The Kentucky Institute for International Studies is a consortium of colleges and universities dedicated to providing quality international education. KIIS is founded on the conviction that an international experience should be part of the education of as many people as possible. KIIS programs have four primary objectives: (1) to establish high-quality, low-cost, academically sound international study programs for students; (2) to provide faculty from member institutions a means for professional growth; (3) to create language and culture programs for professionals and develop links with their counterparts in foreign countries; and (4) to promote the study of foreign languages. KIIS also seeks to develop new opportunities for international experiences which meet the needs of students, faculty, academic institutions, and community organizations, always taking into consideration the changing times and shifting demands of a global society.

Year Founded

1975