Study Abroad and Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Heredia,  Atenas

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Dates: Please visit our website for latest dates

Description: Learn Spanish in Costa Rica, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Discover a country of friendly people and breathtaking scenery. The mountainous landscape is dotted with volcanoes, cascading waterfalls, and rushing rivers. Costa Rica is situated between two coastlines, the Paci?c Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, giving it miles of stunning seashore
that supports an amazing array of sea life. It is considered one of the best places in the world to study Spanish due to the clear and enjoyable accent of its inhabitants.

You will live in the cool highlands of Costa Rica in the beautiful city of Heredia, known as the City of Flowers. Heredia is located only 20 minutes from the capital city of San José, yet retains the atmosphere of a smaller Costa Rican town. Heredia provides a wonderful mix of old and new and is the perfect place to study Spanish and explore Costa Rica.

We encourage all of our students to volunteer during their study abroad experience. Whether you decide to teach English to local high school students, assist in an Argentine grassroots community service program, or just dedicate time to a food shelter, you will not only better your Spanish, but also make lifelong friends along the way!

Courses & Academic Paths

Summer Programs:
College Credit: 3 credits hours or 4 quarter units for each Spanish Language Class
Choose: 1 Spanish Language Class

Semester Programs:
College Credit: 15 credits hours or 22 quarter units
Choose: Up to 4 Spanish Language Classes OR mix 5 Spanish Language Classes & Classes with Locals

Highlights: This private, fully accredited university was founded in 1986. It has a full range of degrees for students that come from all over the world. The university is located on a spacious campus set amongst pine trees and abundant green space for studying outside and intramural sports. First-rate academics combined with a beautiful locale make the Interamerican University a world-class location for study abroad.

There is no better way to improve your Spanish and learn more about the culture than by living with one of our local host families. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family during the weekdays and lunch at cafés at the university.

This is the ideal program for students interested in Spanish immersion and those who would like to take classes with locals.

* Affordable program in the highlands of central Costa Rica
* Study at the accredited Interamerican University or the renowned language academy ATESA
* Earn university credit
* Amazing climate year-round

Included Excursions:

Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, Rain Forest Zipline, & La Fortuna Waterfall: Experience the natural beauty of an active volcano and soak in the exotic hot springs.

Paci?c Beach Trip (Manuel Antonio National Park): Get up close and personal with white-faced monkeys and relax.

Poás Volcano Hike & La Paz Waterfall: Hike to the craters edge of an active volcano at Poás Volcano National Park.

White-Water Rafting: Experience the rush of white-water rafting.

Monteverde Cloud Forest & Rain Forest Zipline (seasonal): Hike in the verdant cloud forest of Monteverde and do a zip line tour.

San José City Tour: Tour the historical capital city of Costa Rica.

Cultural Activities:

We organize cultural activities for the weekday afternoons.

* Coffee Tour
The central valley of Costa Rica provides some of the worlds best coffee. We will visit a local coffee plantation and you will learn about the history and process of growing and harvesting coffee. And you wont want to miss out on sampling some of the famous blends!

* Traditional Cooking Class
Learning to cook traditional dishes while abroad is the best way to take something back from your experience. You will learn how to prepare such important Costa Rican dishes as Gallo Pinto, the national dish. Other recipes include tamales and empanadas. The classes are completely hands and are one of our most popular cultural activities!

* Dance Classes
Costa Rica has a rich tradition of Caribbean dances. It is considered by many to be the best site to learn about salsa and merengue. Learning about these dances will greatly increase your experience at any Costa Rican gathering!

* Soccer Matches

* Movie Night
San José has a thriving theater culture. Often there are performances in San José at the ornate National Theater or one of the other well-renowned venues in town. All types of performances come through the city such as plays, musicals, dance, symphoniesyou name it. This is a great way to experience another side of life in Costa Rica and take in some artistic culture!

* Art Classes

* Country Club Outing

* City Tours
Explore the vibrant streets of Heredia! We will visit the plazas, the churches, and learn about the historical aspects of the city, which has so much to tell. During the tour, we'll venture in and out of the local markets, the whole time of course being entertained by the local artists and performers. The tour will end on a famous street café, enjoying local pastries, sipping espressos made from the world's best coffee, while the locals hustle back and forth!

* Hiking
Amazingly enough, over 25% of Costa Ricas landmass is protected in some way. The tropical country abounds in national parks and protected zones. Such a bounty of preserved natural areas makes for endless hiking possibilities. In and around Atenas and Heredia there are rural areas and parks that are ideal for a hike in the afternoon or even for a full day. As part of the activities on the program you will be able to explore these areas with a group or on your own.

* Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a great way to explore the natural areas of Costa Rica. At most locations where we have excursions you have the option for horseback riding. Gallop along the tropical coastlines of the Pacific or explore the lush cloud forests of the Costa Rican highlands. Even in the Central Valley there are options to go riding on weekdays. Costa Ricas many peaceful country roads make for excellent trails to go venturing upon.

* Yoga Class
Costa Rica may be the closest to nature you will ever come! Many people seek out the peace and discipline of yoga, allowing you to delve into the healing of mind, body and spirit that yoga provides. Try yoga for the first time or continue your practice of this wonderful exercise.

* Festivals & Market Day
Costa Rica abounds with tropical fruits and vegetables that are exported all over the world! Throughout your program we will visit markets where you can learn about the different produce found in the country. This is a great way to fine tune your Spanish and learn more about the country, its people and the local diet. And of course, the locals will insure you get an abundant sampling of the goods!

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Please visit our website for latest prices

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Please visit our website for scholarship info.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Sol Education Abroad's Mission Statement: Our company mission is very simple: to treat you the same way we wanted to be treated when we studied abroad. We take pride in this hands-on, full-service approach to ensuring you an enriching, life-changing experience. Its this unique approach that makes us both a leader and innovator in study abroad programs. When you attend one of our programs, you can be assured of a world-class study abroad experience that includes high-quality interactive Spanish language classes, regular travel excursions, and an array of daily cultural activities of lasting value.