Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

Studying abroad can seem scary and intimidating, however the Costa Rican culture and USAC staff made my journey so welcoming, easy, and fun! The staff were truly so kind and genuinely cared about their students. Any question, concern, or recommendations were happily answered and they followed up with everything. They made my experience so enjoyable and allowed me to fully focus on my academics and experiences.

I spent two weeks in Guatemala with Maximo Nivel. My Spanish level was minimal when I arrived. I felt like I was able to have a basic conversation and move around the city with the Spanish I learned. My homestay was very nice, and the staff here solved any issues I had; I would definitely do it again.

I had a lot of fun and got to go on trips (apart from the program, mostly) to see a lot of awesome places during the weekends this summer. I learned a lot more Spanish and improved my speaking pace, while also being able to understand a lot more and at a much quicker listening pace as well. That is the thing I think I am most proud of is my improvements with the language. But I am glad I studied abroad because it also gave me a LOT of opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I have grown a lot as a person even in just 2 and a half months here. The nature and wildlife here are incredible and worth seeing.

Living in Costa Rica for 4 weeks has been an incredible experience. It helped me integrate myself into the culture, language, and nature of the country. I was able to learn Spanish for 4 weeks with no Spanish to being able to form sentences and talk Spanish in tandem with not only my teachers but with the locals. The staff have been excellent in taking care of all my needs including changing accommodations, health issues, checking up regularly. This experience is 5 stars overall!

I am happy to report that I’ve had a magically adventurous time here, my Spanish has noticeably improved, my hosts were kind and accommodating, and the Maximo and Inca Trails staff were wonderful. Special shoutout to Martha and Susan! They are amazing teachers and people. I’m sad to be leaving but happy to be heading home renewed, inspired and closer to fluency. You all run an excellent program!

I learnt Spanish with a native speaker, she was very kind. There is a very nice atmosphere there. The teachers teach very well. They have a professional approach to learning. They come up with games that make it easy to consolidate words.

My experience in Maximo was absolutely perfect. It was my first solo travel ever and I felt absolutely guided through it. My teachers Runnia and especially Francis were perfect. It was super fun in the classes which made the learning feel less boring but super fun and rewarding. The staff around the organisation is great, some of the nicest people I’ve met. The cooking and dancing classes are well organized and super fun. They also do their best to adjust classes to your expectations. Wishes are not seen as criticism but rather as a possibility to make the clients happy. Quepos/Manuel Antonio itself is a nice town, offering great beaches nice accommodations, aswell as bars and most importantly great people! I will remember this trip for a long time and I’m super happy I made my experiences in Costa Rica with Maximo. I hope to return one day.

I decided to study abroad to better my Spanish skills while also immersing myself in Latin American culture. Costa Rica has done just that! My Spanish has improved so much, and I have been able to immerse myself firsthand in what I have learned in my Latin American Cultures classes back at my home university. I would totally recommend this immersion program!

Studying abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica was truly life changing. The program did a great job helping us fully immerse and experience life there. The host families are amazing and the country is beautiful.

Máximo Nivel offered a wonderful Spanish immersion experience in San Jose, Costa Rica. The staff are incredibly friendly and the entire institute is very well organized. The methods used in class really encourage conversation and useful practice of your linguistic skills. Within even just the first few days of my program, I felt as though I was already breaking down the barrier in my language learning journey. If you’re interested in immersing yourself in the Spanish language, Máximo Nivel is a must!

I had two different Spanish teachers throughout my 7 weeks - Angie and Dulce. Both were amazing teachers and I learned so much! I learned not only lots of Spanish grammar, Guatemalan slang words, and conjugations, but also about the culture and history of Antigua and the Guatemalan people. The classes were always so much fun! Thank you Maximo Nivel!

I really loved my experience. I was scared of coming here alone but I met some really cool people and made some great memories. So I was never alone. The staff and my teacher were great. I’ll be back!

Rogelio taught me what it means to be selfless & serve the community without being funded by the missions that do not resonate with what´s being offered. Keep the values, stick with what resonates. Love is an endless act of forgiveness, forgiveness is an endless act of love! Forgive all, love all! We are one, blessings! I love you all!

I had the best experience with our Guide Michael for our Political Science Study Abroad. Michael was very easy to speak to in regards to personal matters and not once was there any judgement whatsoever. For my first experience on a study abroad program I’m glad that it was with someone as a guide so caring like him.

I had a wonderful time at Maximo, learning Spanish each day with my teacher and participating in several cultural activities on the weekends (Lago Atitlán, Tikal Mayan Cultural Site). It has been a pleasure to experience Guatemalan culture and I hope to return soon!

My experience studying spanish with Maximo Nivel has been one of the best experiences in my life. The people I met, the city of Cusco, the instructors at Maximo- all of it was amazing. If I could stay longer I would, and I did end up staying 3 weeks longer than planned. I highly recommend to anyone wanting to travel and study spanish abroad.

My daughter and I had the unique opportunity to experience both Intercultura's Teen Camp and Adult Spanish Program at the same time, and it ended up being one of the most memorable trips we've ever taken together. We started at the Heredia campus, and I can't recommend the immersion experience enough. Being surrounded by Spanish every day accelerated my learning far more than I expected, and the mild spring-like weather was absolutely perfect. The teachers were engaging, patient, and skilled at making students feel comfortable speaking, regardless of their level. While I attended adult group classes, my daughter participated in the teen camp. It was wonderful knowing we were both having our own enriching experiences during the day and then sharing stories in the evenings. She made friends from around the world and came home with increased confidence, improved Spanish, and unforgettable memories. We also spent time at the beachfront campus in Sámara, which was equally fantastic but in a completely different way. Studying Spanish just steps from the ocean felt like the perfect balance of learning and vacation. The location is stunning, and the classes kept me engaged and motivated while still allowing plenty of time to enjoy the beach and local community. What impressed me most was how Intercultura successfully serves learners of all ages. Whether you're a parent looking to improve your Spanish, a teenager seeking an international summer experience, or a family hoping to combine both, the programs are exceptionally well run. I would highly recommend both the adult program and the teen camp. Experiencing the city and beach campuses gave us the best of both worlds, and it was a trip we'll be talking about for years.

During my time in Costa Rica, I took Spanish coursework and completed an English Language Assistantship Intern at the Universidad Nacional. I assisted two classes across 3 different days, helping give writing feedback and develop their oral communication skills. In my Spanish coursework, we focused on complex grammar skills and refining our own writing styles. The home stay was farther from the University and downtown area than I would have preferred, but the taxi/uber availability was helpful.

I have attended two other Spanish Immersion programs. Maximo Nivel is very organized and structured. Great program. I plan to continue studies with Maimo Nivel in Puru or Costa Rica. Both group and private classes were excellent.

This experience has been one of the best of my life. The people of Costa Rica have given so much patience and gratitude for our work and that makes the long days totally worth it. My confidence has grown so much over this trip and it has given me so much clarity. I am forever blessed to have met the Maximo staff and everyone along the road.