API at the Instituto San Joaquin de Flores

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
San Joaquin de Flores

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: year-round

Description: API offers comprehensive study abroad programs in the wonderful Costa Rican city of San Joaquin de Flores. The Instituto San Joaquin de Flores is a colonial-style building built specifically to be an academic and language school. Topics available include Spanish language and culture, history, business, and environmental sciences. Advanced level students may take classes at other nearby universities. Students typically receive 12-18 credits for a semester; 6 for a summer.

API students who study at the Instituto San Joaquin de Flores will have the option of participating in the Sea Turtle Conservation Program or ASVO Volunteer Programs, an environmental volunteer experience like no other. Visit the API website for more information on these programs.

Students who select the three-week Sea Turtle Conservation or ASVO Volunteer Program to their program must pay an additional fee. This additional fee includes housing, meals, registration fees and medical insurance. Fall students will participate in the Sea Turtle Conservation program prior to the start of the semester. Spring and summer students will complete the volunteer program after their session is over.

Highlights:
* Colonial flair
* Quaint small town environment
* International excursion
* Beautiful mountain views
* Host family living
* Walking distance to practically everything in the city
* Only 20 minutes from San Jose
* Sea turtle conservation & ASVO volunteer programs available
* 40 minutes to National Parks
* 1 1/2 hours to beautiful beaches

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Please visit our site using the link at the top/bottom of the page for more information

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: yes

Semester: 2-3 semester of previous Spanish study required. Summer: first summer session is open to beginners.

Typical Volunteer: * Sea Turtle Conservation Program This is an ideal opportunity for students interested in hands-on conservation work and data collection. It is recommended that volunteers be in good physical condition since a significant amount of physical activity is required. The diverse ecosystems within the area of the refuge also provide excellent opportunities for independent study and wildlife observation. * ASVO Volunteer Program The ideal volunteer is an individual who is prepared to work in tropical conditions and can easily adapt to new cultures. Volunteers must be in good physical condition and have few to no allergies. They must also have an interest in protecting the environment and be willing to work independently for long hours in natural environments offering few luxuries.

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. USD250-USD1,000 per term; application on API website.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Academic Programs International (API)'s Mission Statement: Academic Programs International, API, is an educational organization dedicated to providing challenging and enriching study abroad programs for our students. The experience of living, interacting and learning in an international environment presents invaluable opportunities for each student's academic and personal development. All of our academic and extracurricular offerings are selected with the goal of helping students to grow more self-aware and culturally sensitive. We envision each student evolving from a tourist to a resident to a global citizen, and API is dedicated to supporting this lifelong process. API is committed to providing the best comprehensive study abroad experience possible with personal attention available to our students throughout his or her program, and to working closely with home universities to offer support before, during and after the education abroad experience.

Year Founded: 1997