Location:

San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Type:

Intensive Language

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Duration:

3-4 weeks, 1-3 months, 4-6 months, 1 year

Language:

Spanish

Program Overview

Program Description:

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.

Veritas offers four-week sessions throughout the year for intensive Spanish, and no previous study or knowledge of Spanish is required. Students are given a placement test online before they arrive in Costa Rica. Advanced level students may integrate with regular Universidad Veritas courses. The Centro de Programas Internacionales (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. In addition to Spanish language study, offered in four-week sessions at all levels, from beginning to advanced, semester elective courses taught in English are offered in a variety of subject areas. Some elective courses are offered in Spanish. Fifteen-week semester in the regular Veritas departments are available for advanced students of Spanish only.

Costs include instructional costs abroad for three Spanish classes and one 48-hour elective course, Host Family Program with half board, CCIS and sponsor fees, health insurance, texts and materials, three excursions, free tropical dance lessons once a week (costs may vary according to what the student chooses for coursework).

Setting Description:

Universidad Veritas is located in the capital city of San Jose. 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 Caribbean coasts, are all within a few hours' drive from the city. Universidad Veritas is one of Costa Rica's new private universities and is located in a residential section of town.

Cost:

$4,700 summer $8,000 semester