Application Deadline: In Development—Spring 2012
Orientation: In Development – Summer 2012
Program Dates: Saturday, August 18 – Saturday, September 15
Costa Rica, land of many natural wonders: Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, luscious rainforests, abundant animal and plant life, and volcanoes. Students immerse themselves in language and culture while surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty and the warm, welcoming people of Costa Rica. The Costa Ricans (Ticos) are dedicated to promoting harmony between nature, community development, and economic growth. They have made a major commitment to protecting the nation’s natural resources and beauty while preserving its long tradition of political democracy and stability.
Costa Rica offers students a safe and accessible place to study and to explore the peaceful beauty of her natural treasures. It offers reliable public transportation, the highest literacy rate in Central America and an excellent health care system. Whether studying Spanish or researching rainforest ecosystems, the congeniality of the people, the steaming volcanoes, pristine beaches, virgin forests, and the unique birds, mammals and ocean life all combine to make Costa Rica an idyllic place to live and study.
Budget Request Costa Rica Summer 2012 (.docx)
Program Dates:
Saturday, August 18 – Saturday, September 15, 2012 (4 weeks & 5 credits of Spanish)
Site
Students live and study in beautiful Alajuela, located just 30 minutes from the capital, San Jose. Alajuela is a small town surrounded by coffee and sugar plantations. Courses are held at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense (ICLC), Costa Rica’s premier language institute. ICLC language school is set on a hillside surrounded with tropical flowers and fruits in the outskirts of Alajuela.
Courses
Students will take 5 credits of Spanish Immersion at ICLC. Classes are taught by qualified ICLC instructors. Spanish classes meet for 4 hours per day, five days a week and have generally no more than 4 students per class, allowing plenty of time to improve speaking and listening skills.
Excursions/Activities
Orientation tour: Enjoy a familiarization tour of Alajuela. The tour will include traveling from ICLC through the homestay neighborhoods and onto Alajuela where students can locate services and amenities like parks, malls, and stores.
Cultural Activities: There will be special cultural activities offered by ICLC and WCCCSA, in addition to activities and mini-courses that will take place during the afternoon from Monday through Friday. Activities vary (*entrance and transportation, usually a small bus fee, are not included in program fee to allow for program flexibility) and may include the following: a Costa Rican Art Museum, the National Museum, the La Salle Museum of Natural Sciences, the Juan Santamaria Historical Museum, the Tropical Bird Zoo, San Juan de Poas, and the train to Puntarenas, among other destinations
Mini-courses include: Costa Rican Art, Topics in Spanish Grammar, Central American Issues, the Diversity of Costa Rica’s Forests and Costa Rican Folk Music (these are included in the program fee).
Independent Travel: Use your free weekends to explore Costa Rica’s many attractions. Student favorites include rainforests, Jaco Beach and the Caribbean Coast. There will be a travel coordinator at ICLC to assist you with travel plans. Some ICLC run trips include: Arenal Volcano and Baldí Hot Springs, Tortuga Island Pacific Cruise, Rafting Pacuare, Coffee tours, Butterfly farms, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve among other locations.
Housing
Students live in homestays with local Costa Rican families. Each student will have a private, furnished room and two meals per day, breakfast and dinner. Homestays are located within a 30 minute bus ride from ICLC. Students are encouraged to interact with homestay families as much as possible to facilitate learning the Spanish language and culture, and to get to know the host family. Students are expected to respect the norms and customs of their host family.
Program Dates and Deadlines
Program Dates: Saturday, August 18 – Saturday, September 15, 2012 (4 weeks, 5 credits of Spanish)
Application deadline: In Development—Spring Quarter 2012—See Your Campus Advisor
Payment Schedule: In Development—Spring Quarter 2012—See Your Campus Advisor
Costs
Program Fees: $2,779.00 for up to 14 students or less
INCLUDED:
- Private room in single homestay (one student per family)
- Airport pick-up by host families (only when landing before 10pm)
- Breakfast and dinner seven days a week for program duration
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- On-Site Arrival Orientation
- Arrival reception
- Walking tour of Alajuela
- Departure ceremony
- Airport drop-off by host families
- Afternoon cultural presentations and events
- Medical and travel insurance
NOT INCLUDED:
- Roundtrip airfare
- College tuition and fees (paid to student’s home campus)
- Passport fees (and visa fees, if applicable)
- Costa Rican departure tax of approximately $27
- Taxi to airport after program ($30)
- Lunches
- Spending money
Orientation
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
What to Bring: Students need to bring (a) a signed copy of the Student Guidelines, (b) a copy of your passport, (c) flight itineraries, (d) a notepad to take notes, and (e) questions.
Student participants should also invite parents, guardians, or whomever they feel should attend with them. Coffee will be provided in the morning and lunch will be served.