Science Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

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.

Study abroad in Costa Rica and experience a semester focused on culture, language, and sustainability. The Expanish Semester Study Abroad in San José allows students to earn academic credit while exploring one of the world’s most environmentally conscious countries. Courses emphasize Spanish language development and cultural understanding while examining topics related to sustainability and global issues. Learning extends beyond the classroom through excursions and engagement with local communities. San José serves as the cultural and political center of Costa Rica and a gateway to the country’s incredible natural landscapes. Students often explore rainforests, volcanoes, and beaches while experiencing Costa Rica’s welcoming culture and the lifestyle known as “pura vida.” With small classes, experienced instructors, and housing options such as homestays, students quickly integrate into local life while improving their Spanish and gaining a global perspective.

Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, steep-sided mountains, and extended coastlines. Embrace the spirit of "pura vida" and learn from the unique crossover of individuals who call these nations home. Living alongside Indigenous communities and their contemporaries, explore opportunities to delve into social justice, sustainability, and the influence of colonization. From the Sierra Madre mountains of interior Guatemala to the sea turtle havens on the coast, from the tranquility and splendor of Lago Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes to the breathtaking coral reefs offshore, Carpe Diem Education explores the merging complexities of socio-political realities with the hope of a more sustainable future. Cap your new knowledge with improved Spanish, honed during your homestay experience, and outdoor skills learned from the many treks, hikes, and adventure activities available in the region.

Seeds of Change seeks to train young biology students in comparative microbial bioinformatics to give them a leg up in this burgeoning field. Students study microbial bioinformatics because microbes are central to all environments on the planet, drive biogeochemical cycles, and perform functions vital to all life forms. Before students travel to Costa Rica, they are introduced to the Joint Genome Institute’s (JGI) Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbiomes (IMG/M) platform, a gateway to sophisticated genome databases and analysis tools. The five interactive pre-trip modules present a seminal case study that applies the fundamentals of genetics (DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation) to an insect-bacteria symbiotic relationship. Once in Costa Rica, students work with a partner to generate their original research question and use their new-found expertise in microbial bioinformatics to develop a poster of their research. Students engage in off-site activities that include guided hikes in the cloud forest, a zipline adventure in the cloud forest, a coffee tour, a horseback ride in the cloud forest, and a sea turtle marine research experience.

Dive into an unforgettable study abroad journey in San José, Costa Rica, where academic excellence meets vibrant culture and jaw-dropping natural beauty. At LCI Veritas, you’ll experience a cutting-edge education in arts, design, and sustainability, all delivered through innovative programs and hands-on learning that bring your passions to life. This program is perfect for bold, creative, and adventurous students ready to expand their horizons. Sharpen your skills in fields like graphic design, photography, and environmental studies while engaging in small, interactive classes led by inspiring faculty. Every day is an opportunity to challenge yourself and think differently. Located in the dynamic capital of San José, LCI Veritas puts you just a step away from Costa Rica’s breathtaking landscapes—think lush rainforests, active volcanoes, and pristine beaches. Earn transferable credits, gain real-world experience, and immerse yourself in a culture as warm and welcoming as its people. Your next great adventure starts here!

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.

Continue progressing toward your degree while immersing yourself in one of the world's most biodiverse and innovative countries. We are the #1 Study Abroad destination in Latin America known for sustainability, biodiversity and paradisiac locations * Student Support: Orientation, housing assistance, cultural activities, and academic advising * Full Study Abroad Support before, during, and after your program Academic Sessions: Semester Program (Fall or Spring) - Full course load - 15 weeks Summer I & Summer II - Shorter, intensive sessions - 5 or 10 weeks Course Offering/Credit-bearing courses: Core Curriculum Courses - Subjects like English, Math, Science, and Social Sciences Business Courses - Topics in marketing, management, international business, and entrepreneurship Engineering Courses - Take foundational and specialized courses in mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering Free Electives - Electives in areas such as sustainability, culture, and innovation

Get your hands dirty on a wildlife adventure! Journey through the amazingly biodiverse rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica. Work with your friends to collect sea turtle hatchling data and contribute to conservation in action. Over the next 14 days, you'll venture across Costa Rica and explore this diverse country through the eyes of a field biologist and conservationist. Work alongside professional biologists and marine conservationists in the field with a small group of teens. Assist with conservation efforts while having a blast experiencing the amazing biodiversity of Costa Rica through activities like rafting, hiking, rappelling, surfing, and more. We are offering 3 sessions for summer 2026 (while space is available): June 20 - July 3, 2026 July 6 - July 19, 2026 July 22 - August 4, 2026

Travel to Costa Rica's Tortugeuro National Park, home to many protected species, such as the leatherback sea turtle, and the jaguar. This study abroad program explains the science behind conservation and it aims to challenge artists or designers to use their skills to communicate our role in saving endangered species in Costa Rica and beyond. We will address questions such as: What concepts, theories, and methods inform our research and debates about endangered species, the sixth mass extinction, conservation, and human impacts on the natural world? Dr. Lucy Spelman, author, educator, and wildlife veterinarian , teaches this 3 credit course.

You’ll never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. Using coffee and chocolate as case studies, explore the relationships between food systems, ecology, conservation, and sustainability. Learn how different agricultural techniques have the potential to restore biodiversity and combat climate change. Study the sociocultural history of coffee and cacao, from Indigenous histories to modern production and exports. SFS students live and study at the Center for Sustainable Development Studies. The center is an active organic farm overlooking the vibrant Central Valley, where green is the predominant color as far as the eye can see. Dorms and classrooms intermingle with orchards and gardens while our center dog, Hera, looks after them. The friendly town of Atenas is a 10-minute cab ride away, offering restaurants, shops, parks, and cultural events.

Join this 12-day Field Course, which includes online pre-departure coursework the week before. It is open to students from all campuses. The course tackles an interdisciplinary synthesis of environmental issues within the broader context of globalization, emphasizing local sustainability efforts in Costa Rica and Central America as well as associated global-local connections. Specific topics include sustainable community development, free trade, agriculture and land use, renewable energy, and environmental conservation/restoration of tropical ecosystems. The course involves lectures, discussions, group activities, volunteer service-learning work, and field trips to sustainable businesses, organic farms, watershed conservation sites, renewable energy projects, private reserves, national parks, or community ecotourism projects. No prerequisite is required. However, it is highly recommended that you have completed an introductory Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Global Systems, or a related course.