Alajuela, Costa Rica SUMMER 2024
Costa Rica, land of many natural wonders: Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, luscious rainforests, abundant animal and plant life, and volatile volcanoes. Immerse yourself in language and culture while surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty and the warm, welcoming people of Costa Rica. The Costa Ricans (Ticos y Ticas) are dedicated to promoting harmony between nature, community development, and economic growth. They have made a major commitment to protect the nation’s natural resources and beauty while preserving its long tradition of political democracy and stability. Costa Rica offers you a safe and accessible place to study and to explore the peaceful beauty of its natural treasures. It offers reliable public transportation, the highest literacy rate in Central America, and an excellent healthcare system. Whether studying Spanish or researching rainforest ecosystems, the congeniality of the people along with the steaming volcanoes, pristine beaches, virgin forests, plus the unique birds, mammals, and ocean life all combine to make Costa Rica an idyllic place to live and study.
LOCATION
This unique program includes study in two locations!
Heredia – located just to the northeast of the capital city of San Jose, and about 35 minutes from the airport, Heredia is a historic and thriving small city. Its location in the foothills of the mountains lends it the nick-name “land of eternal spring”, with a year-round average temperature of 78 F. Heredia enjoys beautiful colonial-style architecture, as well as many modern facilities including a sports stadium and a shopping mall. Your Spanish language classes and cultural activities will be held at Intercultura Costa Rica Language School in the center of the city. Spend 3 weeks here. To learn more about Heredia, visit: https://costarica.org/cities/heredia/
Playa Samara – located on the Pacific Ocean about three hours from the San Jose airport, Samara is a quiet, beautiful beach town. Playa Samara is hot, with average day-time temperatures of 89 F. The Intercultura Costa Rica language school campus is just steps from the sandy beach. Study Spanish and learn to surf or paddle board, or just relax in this idyllic location! Spend 1 week here. To learn more about Playa Samara, visit: www.visitplayasamara.com/visit-playa-samara-costa-rica
Program Dates: Saturday, August 24 to Saturday, September 21, 2024
Application Deadline: Friday, June 21, 2024
Program Deposit Due of $300 (non-refundable): Monday, July 1, 2024
Program Fees Due: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Tuition Due: Check academic calendar
Eligibility: Must have completed at least 12 college level credits, 2.5 GPA or higher, 2.5 GPA or higher. 17 or older, students under 18 must obtain parent/guardian permission.
Course Prerequisites: None
Our office will review this application and let you know how to proceed.
Please note that students that have been sanctioned by the college are disqualified from applying to, or participating in, an Edmonds College study abroad program.
Earn five credits of Spanish attending classes at Intercultura Costa Rica Language School at the Heredia campus and the Playa Samara campus. Classes are taught by qualified Spanish language instructors, and meet for four hours per day, four or five days per week. Classes generally have no more than five students, allowing plenty of opportunity to improve speaking and listening skills. A language test upon arrival will place you into the best class for your skill level.
Orientation Tours: Enjoy a familiarization, walking tour of Heredia and Samara upon arrival.
Weekend Excursion #1: three-day, two-night trip to Manual Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean (transportation,
lodging, breakfast, and entry fee included).
Weekend Excursion #2: three-day, two-night trip to Arenal Volcano, Baldí Hot Springs, and Monteverde Cloud
Forest Reserve, including a canopy tour (transportation, lodging, breakfast, and entry
fees included).
Day-Trips and Activities: White-water rafting tour, tour of Doka coffee plantation, visit to Poás Volcano and
La Paz Waterfalls, ocean kayaking and snorkeling tour, surf lesson
Optional Cultural Activities: Activities vary but will include a dance class, a cooking class, a yoga class, a visit
to the local Farmers Market, and others.
Independent Activities: While in Heredia, use your free afternoons to explore the Gold or Jade Museums (in
San Jose), the MADC art museum, the National Museum, and/or the La Salle Museum of
Natural Sciences, or enjoy a soccer match in Heredia’s sports stadium. While in Samara,
use your free afternoons or mornings to paddle board, kayak, or take additional surf
lessons (1 kayak trip and 1 surf lesson included in program fee).
HOUSING
You will live with a local Costa Rican family in both locations. A double occupancy furnished room and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner, while in town) are included. Homestays are located within a 20-minute walk or bus ride to the language school’s campuses. You are encouraged to interact with your homestay family as much as possible to facilitate learning the Spanish language and Costa Rican culture, and to get to know the family. You are expected to respect the norms and customs of your host family.
Program Fee: $3,333 (Based on an enrollment of up to 7-20 participants)
INCLUDED
- Airport pick-up at SJO on August 24 (if arriving before 11pm) and transfer to SJO on September 21
- Double occupancy room in homestay (single rooms available for an additional fee)
- Breakfast and dinner while in homestay
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- On-site arrival orientations
- 72-hours of Spanish language instruction
- Three-day, two-night trip to Manual Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean (transportation, lodging, breakfast, and entry fee included).
- Three-day, two-night trip to Arenal Volcano, Baldí Hot Springs, and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, including a canopy tour (transportation, lodging, breakfast, and entry fees included).
- Tour of Doka coffee plantation, visit to Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls, ocean kayaking tour, surf lesson
- Afternoon cultural activities such as dance lessons, yoga, and cooking classes
- Departure ceremony
- Medical and travel insurance
NOT INCLUDED
- Round-trip airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
- College tuition and fees for five credits (paid to your home campus)
- Passport fees (and visa fees, if applicable)
- Lunches (approximately $7-10 per day)
- Dinners while on weekend excursions (approximately $15 – 25 per meal)
- Public transportation expenses (optional)
- Spending money
- Expenses to communicate with family and friends outside of Costa Rica (phone sim card or international service plan).
SCHOLARSHIPS
WCCCSA Costa Rica participants can indicate on their program application if they would like to be considered for one of two $500 WCCCSA Scholarships (scholarship availability requires a minimum of 7 participants in this program).
Pre-Departure Orientations are Mandatory.
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024
Time: TBD
Location: TBD – in-person and online
What to bring:
Signed copy of the Student Guidelines
Copy of your passport
Flight itineraries
Notepad to take notes
And questions