Summer Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

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.

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!

The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an ideal path if you are committed to learning about diverse Latin American cultures and the Spanish language. For a semester or full year, your language proficiency and insight into Costa Rican society will greatly improve through formal coursework and interaction with locals. This program places emphasis on diverse academic areas: Latin American Studies, Ecological Studies, and Spanish Language. The latter follows an intensive approach, which involves completing up to two years of university foreign language coursework within a semester. Upon completion, you will meet Spanish minor or major requirements. You will complement the Spanish Language curriculum with courses in Biology, History, Literature, Economics, Political Science, and other subjects. Due to the global health status worldwide, USAC is making programmatic changes to summer, fall, and yearlong programs, and some options might not be available. These changes are posted on individual program pages on the USAC website.

Traveling and seeing the world doesn’t necessarily mean taking a break from your studies. Study abroad with AIFS and broaden your academic knowledge while learning about foreign cultures! Serving more than 1.5 million students since 1964, AIFS is a recognized provider of study abroad programs. We offer a broad range of unique programs in the Americas, South Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia. And you don’t even have to be proficient in a foreign language to join because most AIFS campuses conduct courses in English or other foreign languages across all levels. AIFS offers all-inclusive program fees, making it simple for students to experience everything the world has to offer while living and studying abroad! Most of all, we guarantee their safety and welfare anywhere they are.

San José – or Chepe, as it is lovingly called by locals – is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Costa Rica. It is where most Costa Ricans live, study, and work. The city allows you to experience a bustling and cosmopolitan Latin American metropolis while also having the rest of the country's pristine wonders at your fingertips. Sign up for our program in San José and study at Veritas University, a well-respected institution in Costa Rica. This is open to all Spanish proficiency levels - beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Depending on your language skills, you can choose to take classes in Spanish together with Costa Rican students or in English with international students. While in Costa Rica, take the time to visit our office situated one block away from the Universidad Veritas. It is within walking distance of small neighborhoods, shopping centers, and cafés, so rest assured, you will find something fun to do. We have a computer lab with internet access, a meeting room, a travel resource library, a kitchen, and a resident director's office.

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.

Spend your summer studying abroad in Costa Rica while earning academic credit and exploring one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. The Expanish Summer Program combines Spanish language learning with cultural immersion and environmental exploration. Students improve their Spanish through engaging classes while learning about Costa Rican culture, sustainability, and environmental conservation. Excursions and cultural activities bring course topics to life and help students connect with local communities. Costa Rica is known for its extraordinary natural beauty, including rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, and wildlife reserves. Students often explore these landscapes through weekend trips and outdoor activities. With welcoming local culture, experienced instructors, and housing options such as homestays, students quickly experience the country’s relaxed “pura vida” lifestyle while gaining valuable global perspective.

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!"

The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy offers the only COMTA Accredited Massage Therapy study abroad program in the world. The 600/700-hour certification program is designed to prepare students to successfully pass the United States National Licensing Exam (MBLEX) and qualifies graduates to become licensed in most US states and many places worldwide. Our unique and comprehensive curriculum has been developed by leaders in the massage field for over 10 years. Instruction is conducted in English by professionals and educators from the U.S. including massage therapists, authors, business owners, naturopathic physicians, and chiropractors. Organized as a four-month intensive and immersive program, sessions are offered two times per year. The program includes accommodations in fully equipped bungalows on campus, just seconds away from the beach. Students may also explore off-campus housing. Samara, Costa Rica is a quaint beach town nestled in the jungle on the edge of a tranquil bay. The white sand beaches stretch for miles, and the town is full of delicious local and international restaurants. Students love to explore the many outdoor activities and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Learn Spanish and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture at one or both of our two unique locations – Samara Tropical Beach Campus and/or Heredia Historic City Campus. Study Spanish in small, dynamic groups with students of all ages and nationalities. Live with a Costa Rican family or in a student apartment. Learn to dance salsa and bachata, cook local foods, learn to surf or do yoga. Travel to volcanoes, beaches & rainforests; make friends for life. Our caring and experienced staff & professors provide you with support every step of the way. Standard Group Immersion Course: 4 hours a day, Monday - Friday (20 hours a week) Private/Semi-Private Spanish Lessons: 10 to a maximum of 20 hours per week Intensive Spanish Course: Add a maximum of 5 private lessons per week to your standard group classes We offer a series of 18 courses designed by curriculum specialists, using interactive small groups in an environment of total cultural immersion. Our professors are dynamic, experienced, native speakers with minimum a BA, teaching certification and/or MA in Spanish as a Second Language. All are trained in the communicative approach, ensuring a fun and enjoyable learning experience!

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, blends urban life and natural beauty with more than 800 miles of coastline and acres of lush rainforests lying just a short drive from this diverse metropolitan center. Study a wide range of subjects with CEA CAPA’s partner university: Veritas University. It boasts a large international student body and diverse curriculum including international business, intensive and medical Spanish language, environmental sciences, and health sciences. Courses are available in both Spanish and English. Get the most out of your time in Costa Rica by taking advantage of the numerous cultural and learning opportunities CEA CAPA provides. Whether you enjoy concerts, sports, cooking classes, language exchanges, or something entirely different, our resident staff will get you involved in the local culture. Interested in going abroad with CEA CAPA? Contact us to get started!

Immerse yourself in the Spanish language of Costa Rica, the happiest country on the planet! Live like a true local in the traditional town of Atenas. Set in a tropical paradise, you will take Spanish classes in open-air classrooms on an orange and mango farm. Classes are small in size and perfect for truly learning the language. Gain a new level of confidence in your Spanish skills while toucans fly overhead. Live with a carefully selected homestay and enjoy home-cooked meals. The program is rich in activities and outdoor adventure. Experience the thrill of a zip-lining through the rainforest and the rush of white water rafting. Travel to Arenal Volcano, soak in hot springs and swim in the pool of a spectacular waterfall. Visit Manuel Antonio beach and the national park, which is full of native wildlife. Play soccer as well as participate in an art workshop, cooking class, and dance class while in Atenas. This program includes volunteering, which is a great way to use your Spanish skills while giving back to the community. Multiple summer sessions are offered. All levels of Spanish are welcome.

During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, students are immersed in a hands-on field research program that takes advantage of the immense biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. They learn how to apply the scientific method while collaborating with team members to establish their original research question as well as the experimental design for their project. Students work together to implement their research and learn how to work as a team to overcome challenges and rebound from failures within resource and time constraints, just as in any real-world project. They use statistics to validate the results of their experiments and give presentations showing the results of their work, just like any research scientist would! The Tropical Field Research program prepares students for university-level science. Students learn how to work as a team, handle differences, and take advantage of the ways others communicate best. Students use TypeCoach to help navigate team-member differences. They learn and apply the most appropriate experimental designs, apply key statistical analysis techniques, and present their research in Costa Rica and their community at home.

Join Toucan Abroad and other students from around the US in this highly enriching program. We aim to expand your perspective and grow into future leaders in the field of physical therapy through exposure to the work of licensed PT specialists. You’ll shadow them while they provide expert patient care. Evolve by developing a more holistic view of yourself, your future profession, and the world through immersion into a different society. For two or three weeks, you’ll engage in 40 hours or 60 hours of clinical observation in different PT specialties. You’ll also have time to bask in the breathtaking natural beauty of Costa Rica and experience its rich culture. Toucan Abroad gives you the opportunity to stand out among other PT school applicants through a unique, unparalleled experience abroad through this program.

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.

This program finds you traveling through Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica to experience first-hand some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Studying Biology is the ideal way to make beaches, rainforests, and reefs your classroom as you earn your senior English and Biology credits and get into the best shape of your life. Snorkeling Shark Alley, zip-lining through rainforests, trekking through jungles, hiking volcanoes, and swimming the coastlines of Central America make this program an outdoor adventure infused with scientific exploration and learning.

A MEDLIFE Nursing Service Learning Service Trip offers free, high-quality healthcare to communities that lack access to essential health services. Local practitioners staff our Nursing Students Service Trips and offer crucial medical treatment and preventative screenings. These service-learning trips are specifically designed to identify patients who require ongoing support and assistance. As a nursing student volunteer, your tasks may include the following: Supporting local healthcare providers in essential medical duties, such as triage. Recording vital signs and compiling patient medical records. Shadowing local medical professionals to gain insights into healthcare practices in developing communities. Providing education on hygiene, family planning, and various healthcare topics to individuals, families, and communities. Join MEDLIFE’s local nurses during home visits to gain insight into the prevalent or high-priority medical needs within the community.

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!

Our programs offer a unique combination of Spanish language training and cultural learning opportunity. Located near beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast, and adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is one of Central America's most spectacular rain forests. This gives students a unique opportunity to improve their language skills and study one of the world's most fascinating ecosystems. About Manuel Antonio: Manuel Antonio is a part of the town of Quepos on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and i less than 100 miles from San Jose. Quepos, is a former banana shipping port and the current sports fishing mecca of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio, on the other hand, is famous for its national park, beautiful beaches, scenic drive and luxurious accommodations. Manuel Antonio National Park contains numerous short trails, all of which are easily accessible and well maintained, and they tend to follow the coastline, supplying beautiful views and easy access to the picturesque white sand beaches.

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.