Costa Rica: San Jose Semester

CCIS Study Abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Overview

A small, democratic country in Central America nestled between the Caribbean and the Pacific ocean, Costa Rica is exceptional in that many environments can be visited within a short time. Rain forests, cloud forests, unspoiled beaches, coral reefs, white water rivers and volcanoes can be reached within a couple of hours by car from San José. Costa Rica is one of the few stable, democratic republics in Latin America. It has the highest standard of living of the Central American countries. The health record is excellent, and illiteracy is very low. Peaceful by nature, the Costa Ricans have no army, as it was abolished in 1948.

Universidad Veritas is located in the capital city of San José. At 4000 feet above sea level, it boasts a springtime climate all year round. The city surprises visitors by its vitality. Despite its cosmopolitan atmosphere with Central, South and North Americans as well as Europeans on busy downtown streets, its residents display an unmatched friendliness and warmth. Tourists as well as visiting businessmen happily testify to this. Every year the country attracts a large number of persons who, having visited Costa Rica once, decide to return to settle there. Students have easy access to the city's museums, restaurants, bustling markets, and the National Theater. The surrounding areas, including beaches on both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts, are all within a few hours' drive from the city.

Academic Profile

Universidad Veritas in San Jose

Universidad Veritas is one of Costa Rica's new private universities. It is located in a residential section of town and has a local student population of approximately 3,500. The Veritas Instituto Espanol (Intensive Spanish for Foreign students) is part of the university, and offers students from around the world the opportunity to advance their Spanish language skills while taking other courses in English taught by bilingual faculty from the university. Students should not expect all of the facilities and accoutrements available on a U.S. campus. The classrooms and administrative offices of Universidad Veritas are located in the Edificio ITAN, Carretera a Zapote, San José. Universidad Veritas is recognized for its excellent programs in Art and Graphic Design.

Course Offerings

In addition to six required credit hours of Spanish language study, which is offered at all levels from beginning through advanced, and offered in four-week sessions, semester courses that are taught in English may be offered in Arts and Humanities, Environment and Society, Introduction to Tropical or Marine Ecology, Introduction to International Business, and Intercultural Communication.

Costa Rica Colloquium includes optional excursions to museums and other cultural and historical sites as part of the program.

Students with upper level Spanish may enroll for the 16 week term and take regular University classes. Contact sponsor for information.

Activities and Opportunities

Student Life

Extracurricular Activities

In addition to the vast outdoors activities and visits to beaches, mountains, and volcanoes, students in the Veritas program will have the opportunity to participate in weekend excursions, weekly tropical dance lessons, sports, Latin American cooking lessons, museum and artisan market visits, volunteer work with underprivileged children in the afternoons, and youth groups.

Volunteer Program

Universidad Veritas also coordinates volunteer programs for students who are interested in the national park and reserve system. “Volunteers and Projects for the support of Conservation Areas” is a program that gives support to the National System of Preservation Areas of Costa Rica. This program allows interested students the possibility to learn more about the support or our National Parks, Wildlife Shelters, Forest Reserves, etc”.

If a student would like to participate in specific areas such as species monitoring, turtle nesting, botanical projects, etc, he/she should indicate it on the application and personal statement

Housing

Students are placed with host families in a Costa Rican homestay in San José, usually one student per family. Students are given private rooms with laundry service, and breakfast and dinner on class days. For students who do not opt for the homestay, Universidad Veritas will arrange accommodations at an additional cost. The Student Affairs staff coordinates all housing arrangements and social, cultural, and sports activities.

San José, Costa Rica Semester Program Details

Duration

Spring 2010: January 4 through March 26, 2010
Fall 2010: September 27 through December 17, 2010

Application Deadline(s)

Spring 2010: November 15, 2009

Fall 2010: August 1, 2010

Eligibility Requirements

At least 2nd semester freshman standing and a 2.5 GPA

Academic Levels

All levels of Spanish are eligible, from beginner to advanced

Costs

$6,495 (CCIS member)
$6,795(non-member)

Truman requires a $300 deposit, deducted from total amount due, upon acceptance to the program, but does not have an application fee.

Miami Dade College requires a 30 dollar application fee, no deposit due.

Costs Included

Instructional costs abroad, CCIS and sponsor, room and half board, health insurance.

Costs Not Included

Estimated: Airfare ($1,500), personal and miscellaneous expenses ($2,000), textbooks ($100).

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Submit Application Materials To:

Rosa Virginia Mendez, Study Abroad Advisor

Truman State University
Center for International Education Abroad
Kirk Building 114
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4076
(660) 785-7473 (Fax)
rvmendez@truman.edu

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MDC GLOBAL

MDC Costa Rica Informational Booklet

Eva Fernandez

Office of International Education
Miami Dade College
300 NE Second Avenue
Suite 1450
Miami, FL 33132
efernan1@mdc.edu
(305) 237-3008
(305) 237-7439 (Fax)

Leeza Fernand

Office of International Education
Miami Dade College
300 NE Second Avenue
Suite 1440
Miami, FL 33132
lfernan7@mdc.edu
(305) 237-3580
(305) 237-7439 (Fax)

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading and printing the following forms. These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

CCIS APPLICATION PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS