Program Description	Academic Program	Culture Program	Itinerary	Eligibility
Cost	Financial Aid	Do I need a Visa?	Application	Contact

Program Description

Students will take classes at Veritas University in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, where they will learn Spanish specific to their academic discipline as well as gain practical knowledge of their field in Central America. Students will also participate in direct interaction with the Costa Rican people and excursions to the naturally beautiful and culturally rich areas of Costa Rica.

Known as a natural paradise Costa Rica is home to dramatic landscapes that include rainforest and active volcanoes. Its beauty is preserved intentionally by the Costa Rican government, with 20% of the country made up of forest reserves, home to thousands of bird, plant, and mammal species. Costa Rica also has a consistently pleasant climate with spring-like temperatures year round. The Costa Rican people are known for their relaxed and friendly attitudes.

Academic Program

In Costa Rica, all students will enroll in a 2-4 credit field studies course as well as two courses in their academic discipline.

• Spanish: Langaugae Course & Language Elective. (Level Determinded by Placement Test; 8 Credits)
• Healthcare: Spanish for Health Professions and Costa Rican Healthcare and Tropical Medicine. (9 Credits) Tropical Medicine is an upper level course taught in English. Students are in class a total of 60 hours with Costa Rican health care practitioners. The course also includes a Health Day in which students interact with the community, clinic days, and field trips outside the city.
• Criminology: Spanish for Law Enforcement and Migration Issues or Human Rights in Latin America, both taught in English. (8 Credits)
• Business: Spanish for Business and Ecotourism, taught in English. (9 Credits)

Students are also required to enroll in a 2 credit pre-trip course, SPN 293, 393, 493, 593, Costa Rica Today, in the 1st Summer Session. The Director grants exceptions to this requirement only in extreme circumstances.

Culture Program

Students will visit Cartago, the first capital of Costa Rica, Tortuga Island, the Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Water Falls Gardens, and the Limon Province. There is one weekend where students can travel independetly, but they can recieve help in organizing their own travel.

Students live with Costa Rican host families. Students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the daily life of a Costa Rican family. The family provides breakfast, dinner, and laundry service. The homes are within walking distance to the university and close to good public transportation to get around San Jose.

Itinerary

• Friday, July 5: Departure from Cleveland for San Jose
• July 6-7: City Tour; Orientation at Veritas; Placement Test; Excursions to Volcan Irazuand Cartago
• July 8-12: First Week of Classes at Universidad Veritas
• July 13-14: Overnight Group Excursion to Volcan Paos, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Tortuga Island
• July 15-19: Second Week of Classes
• July 20-21: Free Weekend
• July 22-26: Third Week of Classes
• July 27-28: Weekend Trip to Limon and Cahuitas
• July 29-August 2: Fourth Week fo Classes
• August 3-4: Field Trips for Special Electives
• Augist 5-9: Final Week of Classes
• Friday August 9: Return Flight from San Jose to Cleveland

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed one year of college-level Spanish or equivalent. Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.0; minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0.

At the time of application, the applicant must have completed two semesters at CSU if a first year student, and one semester if a transfer or graduate student. Students from other universities may be accepted to the program as a CSU transient student. Must also have no financial holds on their Treasury Services account and have no infractions of the Student Code of Conduct. All applications must be approved by the Program Director and the Education Abroad office.

Cost

The program cost is:

• $4500: Spanish or Criminology Track
• $4700: Healthcare or Business Track

The cost includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, two meals a day, group transportation and excursions, an International Student Identity Card and 8-9 credits in Veritas courses.

The cost does not include tuition for the required 4-6 credits of CSU courses and may change due to increases in airfare and/or the exchange rate.

Students should budget about $500 for lunches, meals on Sundays, and other traveling incidentals.

Financial Aid

Students may use summer financial aid to pay for the program cost. Summer financial aid is made up of financial aid not used from the previous fall and spring terms. Students will need to talk to the All-In-One office in order to access their summer financial aid.

Two international scholarships are available to students on short term programs. Eligible students can apply for the CISP Study Abroad Scholarship and the ODAMA Study Abroad Scholarship (click on the links to go to the eligibility requirements for each scholarship as well as the application form). Deadlines for both are in March. Other scholarships can be researched on here.

Scholarships

Two scholarships are available to students on short term programs. Eligible students can apply for the CISP Education Abroad Scholarship and the ODAMA Education Abroad Scholarship (click on the links to go to the eligibility requirements for each scholarship as well as the application form).


Do I need a Visa?

If you are not a United States citizen (even if you are a Permanent Resident), you may need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Go to the Costa Rica Consulate website to find out if you need a short term tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. If you have any questions regarding visas, contact the Education Abroad Office.

Application

To be announced. The program application and deposit slip is due no later than February 22, 2013 to confirm your participation. To make the program deposit of $200, take the Deposit Slip and your payment to the Cashier’s Desk in the First Floor of the Main Classroom. You will receive a receipt that you must turn in with your application.

Download the application & the brochure.

Contact

Reenie Pruitt
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
m.c.pruitt@csuohio.edu
216-523-7170 Rhodes Tower 1614

Julie Good
Manager of Education Abroad
j.a.good88@csuohio.edu
216-687-3910
Main Classroom Suite 106