Education Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

Study abroad in the highlands of central Costa Rica, in the charming city of Heredia. Immerse yourself in the Costa Rican lifestyle while taking classes at the modern Latin University. Courses include Spanish for all levels, electives, certificate courses in English and Spanish, and internships. Costa Rica is a premier destination for study abroad due to its extensive national park system, beautiful landscapes, friendly locals, and clearly-spoken Spanish. The Arcos Learning Abroad program provides an all-inclusive study abroad experience with cultural activities on weekdays, excursions on weekends, on-site directors, carefully vetted homestays, tuition, and much more. Arcos invites you to step through the arch and into a life-changing experience abroad. Costa Rica awaits!

Take a semester or academic year with AIFS Abroad in the vibrant capital of San José! You can earn up to 23 credits per semester at Universidad Veritas from varied courses and internship opportunities. Courses are taught in English and Spanish. No previous Spanish language study is required for most programs. Universidad Veritas offers an internship program, as well as volunteer opportunities, to help you make the most of your semester abroad. Their Spanish Language and Internship Program welcomes students with an advanced level of Spanish and a minimum of 2 years of college-level Spanish. It combines a 4-week Spanish language course with a 12-week internship placement within local companies or NGOs based on your major. You’ll enjoy cultural and social activities, including: • Costa Rican cooking classes • Visits to local museums and historical sites • 3-day trip to Arenal Volcano, hot springs, and Monteverde Cloud Forest • 3-day trip to the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park • Day trip to Poás Volcano, Doka Coffee Estate, and Sarchi artisans Optional excursions include a 2-day trip hiking and rafting in Sarapiquí and a 4-day trip to Bocas del Toro, Panama.

CIEE offers the most extensive network of internship programs. Are you a U.S. college student looking to study and intern abroad? We have full-time and part-time placements across 40+ locations worldwide and in diverse fields, from AI and engineering to public policy and business administration. Find the right fit for you! Live, learn, and work abroad on an internship program with CIEE! CIEE Summer Internships CIEE Summer Global Internships are 6-credit, 8-week programs with full-time working hours (approximately 30 hours weekly) and a seminar. CIEE Summer Intern and Study Abroad are 6 to 7-credit, 6-week programs with a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and a 3-credit academic course. CIEE Semester Internships CIEE Semester Global Internships are 9 to 13-credit, 12-week programs that feature a full-time internship (approximately 30 hours weekly), a seminar, and an optional 3 to 4-credit academic course online. CIEE Semester Intern and Study Abroad Programs are 12 to 14-credit, 12-week programs that feature a part-time internship​ (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and two academic courses.

Live and study in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Maximo Nivel offers the most intensive and professional Spanish immersion program in Latin America. Our Native Spanish Program emphasizes oral communication and integrated skills development to truly help build your Spanish language proficiency - this is a great immersion experience! Our native-speaking Spanish teachers are highly qualified professional instructors with years of experience. Our Tandem Conversation program pairs Spanish program participants with our local English students for free conversation practice.

CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most affordable, comprehensive program packages available. We also don't cut any corners by offering everything you would expect from an overseas program: tuition, housing, support, insurance, excursions, social and cultural activities, and airport pick-up – all considered the core of our package. Some programs also include all or most meals, extensive off-site orientations/excursions, transportation passes, and more. Whether you want to study for a year, semester, or summer, intern for a month to a year, or take an intensive foreign language course for a couple of weeks, CIS Abroad has the perfect program for you at the best value! "You're Going Places with CIS Abroad!"

This trip takes you to the stunning Costa Rican Pacific Coast. Groups will have the opportunity to work in the community of Quepos and living in picturesque Manuel Antonio. Groups get to participate in this inter-disciplinary course, accredited by universities and colleges around the world. We introduce students to international service-learning and sustainable development, both in theory and practice. Two weeks prior to departure and two weeks after returning home, students engage in lectures, discussion, research, service, and reflection at home and abroad. Emphasis will be placed on relating long term goals with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and engaging in daily reflection surrounding the experience, which will be lead by qualified group facilitators, furthering individual educational development. This course curriculum will be tailored to your students academic level or curriculum. The aim of our Service Learning course is to empower students to gain confidence in their knowledge and practical experience of their subject area.

Located in the central valley of Costa Rica, San José is a vibrant urban center in the heart of a serene and beautiful nation. Three volcanoes surround the city, and quaint villages, farms, and coffee plantations dot the hillsides. Though the metropolitan area is home to 36% of the nation’s population, one can easily explore the smaller central area of the city and discover its neighborhood markets and local restaurants. Cultural opportunities, including theater, music, cinema, and dance, are also abundant in San José. Students can visit the Museo Nacional, the Museo de Oro Precolombino with its sparkling collection of pre-Columbian gold, or the Museo de Jade, boasting the world’s largest collection of jade.

Immerse yourself in a semester-long adventure of learning and impact in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest! This unique Field Semester blends coursework with hands-on conservation, offering you the chance to explore diverse ecosystems, scale majestic volcanoes, kayak across glistening lagoons, and soak up the vibrant Costa Rican culture. Earn valuable credits through engaging courses focused on sustainability, conservation, Spanish language, and Costa Rican studies. Delve into topics like tropical ecology, ecotourism development, and environmental economics, led by passionate professors and local experts. This is your chance to become a globally conscious citizen, equipped with critical thinking skills, research experience, and a passion for making a difference. Volunteer at local conservation projects, collaborate with indigenous communities, and contribute to real-world sustainability initiatives that actively protect the rainforest ecosystem. You'll return home not just with academic credits, but also with a transformative experience that will shape your future career and worldview, leaving you forever connected to the magic of Costa Rica.

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

Feed your love for the outdoors or gain the necessary skills to jumpstart your career in the outdoor industry. Earn seven internationally-recognized certifications, 10 academic credits, and complete an in-depth study of Outward Bound Costa Rica’s educational model to make you a desirable instructor or guide for various organizations around the world. From learning to set up belay systems and guiding rafts down whitewater rapids, to providing wilderness medical care, this course has you covered! This is a 65-day course divided into seven distinct phases: Multi-Element Leadership Training Wilderness First Responder Medical Course Surf Instructor Training Whitewater River Guide Training Waterfront Lifeguarding Technical Ropes Rescue Scuba Diving Top graduates of this Outdoor Leader Semester program may be offered a paid internship as a Field Instructor Intern for Outward Bound Costa Rica’s summer high season, with the possibility of staying on as a year-round instructor. *Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*

Broaden your academic knowledge and global perspective with Universidad Santa Paula! With our aim to promote internationalization, we offer a range of international programs designed to enhance your academic and professional journey. We provide immersive experiences, combining practical learning with cultural engagement. The university also offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses for international students eager to spend a few years living the Costa Rican way of life while completing their degree. Plus, we have Specialization Courses targeted towards graduates and professionals.