STUDY ABROAD COSTA RICA

We hand picked these study abroad programs for their institutional reputations and all of the services that they provide. As you will see, we have chosen some of the most reputable study abroad programs, and they are located all throughout Costa Rica. Whether you book directly with one of our affiliated universities or if you utilize our services to help enroll you, you will pay the exact same price. We make our money directly from commission with each student that we book for the corresponding university. 

People utilize our services because we provide local expertise in all aspects of the planning. We also offer a complete study abroad itinerary, for the total educational visit to Costa Rica. We're the ones who know all of the the ins and outs of Costa Rica-- so it just makes plain sense to utilize those who are completely in the know!  A SDPUS study abroad opportunity offers many differing areas to study from--in this beautiful tropical environment of Costa Rica-- Pura Vida!!!

Studying abroad in Costa Rica can be a culturally enriching and eye-opening adventure,  where  learning is extended to the world beyond the classroom walls. There is absolutely no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country-- if you want to gain in depth knowledge of another culture's customs, people & language-- then studying abroad in Costa Rica with SDPUS is definitely the thing for you!  In addition, you also will find that living and studying or working in another country can develop important transnational competencies, that can be of interest to future employers. 

                                                    Tropical Field Ecology & Spanish                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Site:  Costa Rica: San Jose
                                                                                                                                                                                      Host institute:  University of Costa Rica                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Duration:  Yr-round, 12 to 16 wks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Subjects:  Biodiversity, Conservation, Costa Rican Studies, Ecology/ Environmental Studies, Field Study, Natural History, Spanish Language (beginner/ intermediate)

Eligibility:
Level:  sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduates
Requires:  2.50 GPA, 1 natural science class
Age: min: 18,  avg: 21

Credit:  Undergrad: 18

Cost:  $13,800 per semester
includes:  tuition, housing, most meals, insurance, fees, excursions, books/ materials

Instruction:  English, Spanish
Students: US
Formats: directed field study, lab, language study, lecture, practical training, seminar, study tours

Housing:  arranged by CC Vacation Services

Activities:  excursions, field trips, travel & cultural events

                                                                                                                                                                            

Institute for Global Education                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Site:  Various Sites
                                                                                                                                                                                       Host institute:  University for Science & Technology of Latin America (ULACIT)

Duration: Fall & Spring, 12 - 16 wks

Subjects: Civilization/ Culture, Community Service Projects, Development Studies, Ecology/ Environmental Studies, Field Study, International Relations, International Studies, Internships,              Latin American Studies, Literature, Political Science/ Politics, Spanish language

Eligibility:
Level: sophomores, juniors, seniors
Requires: 2.50 GPA, previous study in field
Age: min 18

Credit: Undergraduate: 19 per semester;  Graduate: none
Documents: transcript, certificate

Cost: $12,250 per semester
includes: tuition, housing, all meals, fees, excursions

Instruction:  English, Spanish
Students: US & Host Country
Formats: Directed Field Study, Internship, Language Study, Lecture, Seminar, Volunteer/ Service

Housing:  arranged by CC Vacation Services

Activities:  excursions, field trips, travel & cultural events

 

Semester Program at the University of Costa Rica

Site:  San Jose, Costa Rica
                                                                                                                                                                                        Host institute:  University of Costa Rica

Subjects:  Ecology/ Environmental Studies, Latin American Studies, Spanish Language 

Eligibility:
Level: freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, adults, teachers, professionals, pre-college
Requires: 2.50 GPA, previous study in field, beginning & intermediate language levels only,
Age: min: 18

Credit: Undergrad: 18 per term    Graduate: none    Doc: transcript

Instruction:  English, Spanish
Students:  International
Formats: Language Study, Lecture

Housing:  arranged by CC Vacation Services

Activities:  excursions, field trips, travel & cultural events

 

International Studies: Spanish Language

Site:  San Jose, Costa Rica
                                                                                                                                                                                      Host institute: Veritas University

Subjects: Business/ Management, Ecology/ Environmental Studies, Latin American Studies, Literature, Photography, Political Science/ Politics, Spanish language (beg/ int/ adv)

Eligibility:
Level:  fresh, sophs, jrs, srs, grads, adults, teachers, professionals, pre college
Requires:  2.50 GPA, previous study in field
Age:  min 18

Credit:  Undergrad: 14-20 per term   Grad: none     Doc: transcript

Instruction:  English, Spanish
Students:  International
Formats:  Language Study, Lecture, Tutorial

Housing:  arranged by CC Vacation Services

Activities:  excursions, field trips, travel & cultural events

 

HOW DO I SELECT THE RIGHT PROGRAM?                      Several of the primary factors in selecting the right program include the subject you will study, the language you will be taught in, and the academic credit available for the course. Many people are looking for courses either to expand their knowledge of their primary field of study or to expand their knowledge of a particular language. Most people also want to earn credit that will count at their home university. If these are not concerns for you, it gives you more freedom. These factors should probably be primary ones in your decision, however.

The next set of factors will probably be location, timing and duration. Location is a logistical issue, but it tends to have a direct impact on the language and subjects available. If you want to study in Germany because you want to explore your German heritage, you may have to work a little harder to find a program offered in English if you don't speak German. However, if you are willing to be a little flexible and work to find options, you can study almost anything anywhere in the world. Timing and duration are decisions related to how much time you can take off from you program at home as well as what programs are offered that meet your needs.

In order to find the perfect program, you need to know the answers to the following questions:

• What do you want or need to study?
• Do you need to earn credit while abroad, or would a work abroad program not for credit be possible?
• Are you fluent enough in a foreign language to take classes in it, or will it be necessary for you to take some or all of your coursework in English?
• How much time can you afford to spend abroad, in terms of academic time and economic resources?
• Where do you want to go? Why?
• How structured or open of a program are you looking for?
• Do you want to live in a dorm with other Americans, stay with a local family, or have some other housing option?
• How much money can you spend on tuition and fees? On housing and food? On international transportation?
• Will you need to apply for financial aid? Is it available

 

HOW DO I PAY FOR THIS?                                                                        On it, you can search for scholarships, fellowships, and grants to study abroad. I would recommend that you check this website out early in your search process as many scholarships are dependent on the program you choose.

If you are currently receiving financial aid for your college education, in many cases you can use it to study abroad. This can be the case with aid from an institution, a foundation, the state or federal government, or other private or public sources. Talk to your study abroad advisor, financial aid officer, or bursar about what can and can't be applied to a study abroad program. Depending on the cost of your program, you may find that it is the same cost or cheaper than attending your home university. There are many scholarships designed specifically to help students study abroad so be sure to investigate all your options. In our Student Guide, we also provide a list of resources to help you investigate your financial aid options.

Website:  StudyAbroadFunding.org

 

WHAT IF I WANT TO WORK OR VOLUNTEER?                                 An increasing number of US students are interested in hands-on experience abroad, either as a way to immerse them-selves in the local culture or to prepare for an international career. You can get this experience through:

• An internship
• Participation in a voluntary service project
• Paid work abroad programs
• Teaching English abroad

The main questions you need to ask are whether you are looking for credit or not, whether you want to be paid or not, or whether you are looking for an internship. Some work experiences will be offered as an integral part of a study abroad program and include credit while others may not. If want to be paid you will need a work permit, which is much easier to obtain if you are going abroad with an officially-recognized work exchange program. Internships may give you the perfect foundation for an international career with direct experience in your field of study and can vary in length and whether or not they are paid. For more information on all of these opportunities, search our database for "internships" or "volunteer/service opportunities".

Another option may be to volunteer. This gives you a wide range of options as voluntary service projects may be sponsored by NGOs, religious organizations, or government organizations such as the Peace Corps and could involve a variety of activities such as building a school in rural Costa Rica, planting trees in a rainforest, or taking care of children in a orphanage.

Check out our education website:  www.sdpus.com 

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY COURSEWORK & CREDIT? Getting your planned course work approved by an academic or study abroad advisor before you go abroad is the best way to ensure that you get full academic credit for it. But this is not always possible, and even when classes are pre-approved, things may not work out as planned.

Q: What if one or more of your pre-approved classes isn't available, or you change your mind?
A: Contact your advisor at your home university immediately to ask for approval of substitution courses.

Q: What if you didn't know in advance what courses were available?
A: As soon as you know which courses you can enroll in, let your advisor know and request approval of the courses you've selected.

Q: What if you attend a US college that approves study abroad courses only after students return?
A: Be sure to bring back information about all courses you took, including syllabi, reading lists, class notes, papers, tests, and portfolios. (This is a good idea for anyone who studies abroad, in case questions arise about how to evaluate a class or determine a grade.)

 

We can provide more options at different institutions in other parts of Costa Rica, as well as in a few other Central American countries. Please let us know of any other special requests which we may you with.