COSTA RICA STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

SUMMER 2012

Dates TBA

Click here to see the 2011 group blog from Costa Rica.

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This four-week program will forever change the way you look at the world! Through this program, you will experience life in Costa Rica in a typical town living with a host family. In Costa Rica, you will study Spanish at a language school that specializes in teaching Spanish to speakers of English. ASU's Costa Rica program is led and accompanied by Dr. Ruth Owens, Associate Professor of Spanish. When you need help, she will be there to assist you.

THE LOCATION

The group will spend two weeks in the town of San Joaquín de Flores, which is located in the Central Valley, just 20 minutes from the capital city of San José. Participants can travel independently by bus to San José and to the smaller city of Heredia (10 minutes) for shopping, museums, restaurants, and a variety of other cultural activities. During the third and fourth weeks of the program the group will live in the mountainous, cloud forest area of Monteverde. When not in class, you will be able to explore the cloud forest, look for wildlife, discover the work of local artisans, go horseback riding, or try some of the other adventurous local activities.

THE HOSTS

Each program participant will live with a host family in San Joaquín and in Monteverde. Host families are carefully screened and only speak Spanish. This is a unique opportunity and an unforgettable way to learn first-hand about Costa Ricans and their way of life.

 

THE SCHOOL Program participants will study for two weeks at the Heredia campus of the Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI), and then will move to the Monteverde campus of the same school for the last two weeks of the program. Immersion classes are taught by Costa Rican instructors and include heavy doses of hands-on activities and conversation. Students are placed in classes at their proficiency level, and class size is limited to no more than four students. Classes meet for four hours a day on weekdays, with a leisurely break for students to enjoy typical Costa Rican snacks in a comfortable, tropical setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students may register for various ASU courses through this program and will earn 6 credits at the appropriate level.

EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

The program also includes escorted tours to allow participants to become more familiar with some areas of cultural significance. Guided introductory excursions to San José and Heredia help participants to feel secure in going there later on their own. Participants also take half-day trip to Café Britt for an very entertaining look at coffee production, and in Monteverde we will visit el Trapiche, where you will see how sugar is grown and made. A half-day service project organized by the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation will give you the chance to do your part to improve conditions in one of Costa Rica's less fortunate neighborhoods. The highlights of the sightseeing program are two weekend trips. the first is to Manuel Antonio National Park, where wildlife is abundant and the beaches are strikingly beautiful. The second weekend is in Arenal Volcano, where the group has the chace to see an active volcano and unwind in its thermal hot springs.  Many optional tours are offered by CPI as well. The cultural program includes classes in Costa Rican cooking and Latin American dance, film nights and soccer games with local children.

REQUIREMENTS

Students with no prior Spanish study at ASU must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. All students must register for the appropriate level of class in the Spanish sequence at ASU.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? WHEN ARE THE APPLICATION AND PAYMENT DEADLINES?

Program price for 2012: $TBA + tuition + Minimal Fees.  This cost may be paid in installments. The payment schedule for summer 2012 is as follows:

January TBA	Application & initial deposit $300, non refundable
February TBA	Payment $1,000
April TBA	Final payment Remaining balance*

Some forms of financial aid may be applied to this program, so participants should see a financial aid counselor as soon as possible.

*The current price is based on a group of 12 participants and current airfare costs. The program price may increase if fewer than 12 enroll or if airfares go up significantly. Students who cancel prior to departure will be refunded all recoverable funds less a $300 cancellation fee.

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED? Roundtrip air transportation  20 hours per week of intensive Spanish language instruction at CPE and course texts Lodging with host families (single occupancy) Two meals a day and a snack on school days ASU faculty member accompanying the group Escorted excursions to San Jose, Heredia, Cafe Britt, and El Trapiche, a sugar cane plantation (Excursions include meals) Full weekend trip to Manuel Antonio National Park (including meals) Full weekend trip to Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs (including meals) Half day service project through the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation(lunch included) Transportation to and from the San Jose airport, between CPI campuses and for all scheduled activities Additional activities, such as soccer, cooking and dance classes

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE? Tuition & fees for 6 credit hours Passport fees Required health (about $30) Daily lunch Optional tours offered through CPI Costa Rican exit tax ($26) Additional money for things such as gifts and personal expenses

 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Please contact the Department of World Languages & Cultures, Wilson Hall, Room 220, (870)972-3887, languages@astate.edu or Dr. Ruth Owens at rsupko@astate.edu