Arts Study Abroad Programs in San Jose, Costa Rica

I studied abroad to learn the course content, strengthen my Spanish, and hopefully gain an understanding of another culture. I did get to learn from my courses and practice my Spanish, but I also learned so much more than I expected about the geography, environment, and culture. My program was only five weeks, but the knowledge and understanding that I gained will be with me for the rest of my life. The experiences and friendships that I gained were priceless I cannot speak highly enough of my "Mama Tica", LCI Veritas, my roommates, and most importantly, the AIFS staff that made it all possible. While I was in Costa Rica I posted multiple videos about my experiences on my TikTok @syd.evallen

AIFS CR, helped me des over parts of myself I never would have imagined. Creating life long connections, memories that I’ll never be able to put into words, and a sense of belonging that I will carry with me. The team at AIFS CR made my experience that much better. If you’re in between programs or looking for some change I highly, highly recommend AIFS CR!

I have never traveled outside the country and I am beyond blessed to have gotten the opportunity to! I would 10/10 recommend and do it again! I miss everyone I met and all the friends, but I always get excited to share my travels because it has so far been the best thing I’ve done in my 23 years ! PURA VIDAAA

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Studying abroad has been one of the best decisions I have made for myself, and it wouldn't have been possible without AIFS. I studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica, during the summer of 2025, and I attended Universidad Veritas. There, I only took one class called "Intermediate level Spanish for health professions." My reasons for studying abroad were to practice my Spanish speaking skills, immerse myself in a new culture, and learn about the rich, beautiful country. I stayed with a host mother during my stay and went on weekend excursions to Monte Verde, La Fortuna, and Sarapiqui. I was able to cultivate new friendships and relationships with the students in my program, my host family, professors, and natives. Throughout my application process, departure, and duration of the program, I had staff members such as Karla Caballo, Jade Green, and Lucy Bisselle to assist me. I’d recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for self-exploration and adventure.

AIFS Costa Rica gave me the best study abroad experience I could ask for! The staff were super friendly and outgoing, making sure that we were taken care of and adjusting to our new environment. They offered many different excursions and activities that immersed students into the culture and community, as well as tips and tricks for navigating the country. AIFS made me feel at home in a foreign country, and I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life.

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad with CIS Abroad in Thailand during the fall of 2024, and I can confidently say that it was an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. The on-site staff were exceptional, offering unwavering support throughout the entire journey. Their dedication truly made a difference. The cultural richness of Thailand is something I’ll never forget. Thanks to CIS Abroad, I was able to explore countless temples, enjoy local cuisine, and visit beautiful islands and vibrant cities. One of the program’s standout features is its encouragement for students to travel and immerse themselves in new experiences. The staff not only helped prepare us for academics but also ensured we felt confident navigating the country independently. This experience reshaped my perspective on the world. I had the privilege of meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected. I also gained a sense of confidence that I didn’t know I needed, thriving in an unfamiliar environment where communication was often challenging due to language barriers. CIS Abroad goes above and beyond to support its students. From teaching about local culture to offering academic assistance (specific to Thailand), they foster an environment of growth and opportunity. Their consistent communication throughout the semester was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend CIS Abroad. It’s more than just an academic program—it’s a transformative experience that will empower you to truly live your best life while exploring the world.

I love studying in South Korea! It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived as this trip was a lot of firsts for me, like my first plane ride, time in an airport, and trip outside the country! The sunrises are beautiful, and the Cherry Blossom season is one of a kind. As a picky eater, Korea helped me find more foods to try and experiences I liked. If I had to do something different, I would travel more independently and get lost through exploring. The biggest advice I have is to give it a fair shot and do it. There will be moments when you'll get frustrated with not knowing what to expect, but take those in stride and be patient with yourself.

My study abroad trip in Costa Rica was something that I will never forget. I had never travelled alone before, but with the aid of the people at AIFS my trip was amazing. I studied Biology and Spanish, while also immersing myself into Costa Rican culture. I am an aspiring bilingual physician, so the program aligned with my goals perfectly! During the 5 weeks of the program, I was able to travel to different areas of Costa Rica every weekend. So not only did I get to experience San José on the weekdays but I got to experience other wonderful cities in Costa Rica. All around, it was an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone!

I loved spending the semester in Costa Rica and I have no regrets about going. It was an amazing opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and really practice my Spanish skills. The excursions were great and the staff was so kind. I'd go back in a heartbeat!

AIFS Costa Rica created the perfect environment for an amazing study abroad experience. They communicated very effectively and prepared us well for every step of the process, anticipating any concerns or problems ahead of time. The classes I took at Universidad Veritas were uniquely eye-opening and I built excellent relationships with my professors. The trips organized by the program directors were super fun bonding and learning experiences that are some of my best memories from Costa Rica. I also had a kind and accommodating host family and I had a lot of time to explore the city and connect with locals.

The choice to study abroad was the best decision I ever made epsecially in my academic career. I studied in San Jose Costa Rica for a spring semester. AIFS was the perfect program to go ith because the staff was super helpful and friendly and the program was very inclusive and inviting. I met so many new people while studying abroad and new friends bith in and outside of my program. AIFS made it much easier to transition from normal academic life to a new country and living style. I was able to take biology classes that really interested me and went on field trips to coral reefs, mangroves and hikes in the jungle. I was able to swim with sea turtles and venture up mountains and down into rivers. Living with a host family was such a wonderful experience and something I had never done before. I was able to see hoe the locals live, where they go, and the community within San Jose. The country is beautiful and full of wildlife. I saw mammals, sea life and exotic birds everywhere I ventured to. I spent some time exploring the beaches as well since they are pristine with crystal clear water. The university is very welcoming with open concept to the outdoors, less roofing and a tree growing right in the middle made it feel like I was studying in nature. I wish to go back one dsy but I highly recommend studying abroad in Costa Rica if you love wildlife and culture and want to learn more.

I am so happy I chose to study abroad with AIFS in Costa Rica. I took my courses in Spanish grammar, Spanish dialects, Ecotourism/Business, and a Mural Painting Course— all of which were much more interactive than a typical US university course and my professors were passionate, awesome people. We had field trips and/or cultural events in every class. With my host family, I had an immersive experience through language, food, and cultural practices which rapidly improved my Spanish language skills and overall cultural awareness. AIFS took our group on three excursions for the first few weekends of the semester, which provided awesome opportunities to see more touristy parts of the country (Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano) and make new friends in the program. They also did smaller excursions into the city throughout the semester, such as museums or butterfly gardens, and had a goodbye dinner at the end of the semester for all of us. AIFS, unlike the other study abroad programs partnered at Veritas University, has a small student center right near campus. This place was a lifeline for me during the semester; I loved having a place to make lunch, reconvene with friends, or talk to the incredible program staff. I loved my experience abroad because of the support I received and would definitely recommend any program with AIFS!

I was hesitant to study abroad for the first time and CIS Abroad exceeded my expectations. CIS Abroad is there to make all steps in your study abroad journey as seamless as possible. The application process is simple and straightforward, and if you have any questions they are always there to help and respond quickly. During the pre-departure meetings, and onsite orientation I knew that I was going to be okay, and this was going to be a journey I would never forget. Arriving in Florence with CIS Abroad, they truly made you feel at home, and the onsite directors were so friendly towards all of us. Without CIS Abroad there to help, my journey would not been of amazing as it was.

Studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan for a month was the most amazing time of my life. I was quite anxious to go to Japan especially since it was going to be my first time leaving the US and flying by myself, however, I received incredible and immense support from the on-site program directors. Being immersed in Japanese culture through program activities like kimono wearing, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and just interacting with locals overall was wonderful. I was able to make friendships with some Japanese students which was so nice because they showed me beautiful places and foods to try. Not only did I make become friends with Japanese students, I also became close with the other study abroad students so I often went out to explore and have tons of fun with them everyday. Waking up everyday in Japan brought so much excitement because there is so much to see and do so I NEVER felt bored. As for Seisen University, the campus I attended in Tokyo, was beautiful and quiet. It was only a short train ride and walk away from my accommodation, so maybe a 20 minute commute. However, it is on a hill so it was quite a workout to walk to campus from the train station especially with the really hot and humid weather during the summer months. Then, the teachers were great! They were really interactive, entertaining, and passionate about what they were teaching. Since it was a summer program that only lasted a month, the courses were very fast paced especially the Japanese language courses. Also, the Japanese students were super friendly and kind and I always enjoyed talking to them and eating lunch with them. It was truly fascinating learning from them and I learning from them about our lives. Overall, I definitely recommend studying abroad with Cis abroad and choosing one of their Japan programs. It was a decision that I was highly doubting before I went but after experiencing it, I have no regrets at all and am very grateful for it. It is an opportunity that I wish everyone to experience.

My experience is in Costa Rica was PURA VIDA!!!. Living in another country for a semester has changed my life for the better. During this experience, I was able to immensely improve in my Spanish skills. I am now at a proficient level and working my way to achieve fluency. I would like to thank my AIFS Resident directors for making Costa Rica my home away from home. I have made local friendships that will last a lifetime. I truly enjoyed my experience. I highly recommend AIFS for any student that want to study abroad.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

I went to Costa Rica for my spring semester and did AIFS spring extended semester. It was the most amazing time of my life. I made incredible friends who had the same passion to want to explore Costa Rica and grow together. AIFS was by far the best program offered. They were kind, helped with any problems we had, took us on adventures, had a welcoming office, and it was clear how much they cared for us. I recommend that everyone studies abroad and if you chose AIFS it will be the best time of your life. I know I sound like the AIFS poster kid, but I really did enjoy my time with them and have no complaints. I will forever remember my past 4 months in Costa Rica.

I don't have enough good things to say about studying abroad with AIFS in Costa Rica. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and AIFS was hands down one of the best parts of the experience. Not only does AIFS have an office building near the university (and none of the other programs do!), but Karla (resident director), Jessenia and Pablo (assistant resident directors) go out of their way to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable. AIFS was by far the most organized, professional, and kind program that I saw and would 1000% choose them again to study abroad. The classes weren't hard and there was a really good balance of academics while also being able to explore the country. If you're deciding which company to choose to study abroad: GO WITH AIFS. You won't regret it.