Costa Rica

Centro Lingüístico CONVERSA

Program Site

The Republic of Costa Rica is a small country in Central America nestled between the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, north of Panama and south of Nicaragua. It 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.
Centro Lingüístico Conversa, a language institute dedicated to teaching Spanish and English as foreign languages, has two campuses:

• Santa Ana is about twenty minutes outside the capital city. The campus is located on a mountaintop with sixteen indoor and outdoor classrooms, lunchroom, sports activities and a swimming pool. It is an idyllic setting and welcomes a highly motivated group intent on learning Spanish.
• San José is the capital of Costa Rica, and the Centro Lingüístico Conversa is located in an urban setting just off the busy Paseo Colûn. The center is near a major bus stop at the Centro Colûn Building and shopping center. The facilities include classrooms and a lounge area, and it hosts the administrative offices of Conversa. The San José Center is currently undergoing major renovations and expansion.

Known for its mild climate and its national parks, volcanoes, fine beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, rain forests, and wildlife refuges, Costa Rica offers a rich cultural and environmental backdrop for intensive study of the Spanish language. The main campus in Santa Ana, on a former six-acre mountainside farm named El Pedregal, provides intensive Spanish language instruction in a serene setting.

Academic Program Highlights

The intensive Spanish Program at Conversa follows the teaching methodology of the Peace Corps and the Foreign Service Institute. No previous study or knowledge of Spanish is required, and on arrival, students are given a placement test in Spanish to determine the appropriate level of study. In both San José and Santa Ana, the program is offered in four-week sessions (cycles), and classes have no more than four students each. Students are taught by different instructors each week to strengthen their conversation and oral comprehension skills. Intensive instruction for five-and-one-half hours per day is entirely in Spanish, and individual tutorials on Saturday mornings and additional conversation practice are available. Students are generally awarded a maximum of 6-8 credits per four week cycle, and a 2.5 GPA is required, as well as transcripts and a minimum age of 18 for admission. The program operates in one-month cycles throughout the year. All applications and accompanying materials should be sent to Miami-Dade Community College.

Student Life

Housing is an important part of the Intensive Spanish Program. After airport pick-up, the Conversa housing coordinator will place students in a Costa Rican homestay - usually one student per family - in the surrounding neighborhoods. In the Santa Ana program, lunches from the campus lunchroom are included in the program cost. Transportation to and from the school is provided at the Santa Ana site. San Jose students must provide their own transporation In the Costa Rican homestay program, students are provided with private room, breakfast, evening meal and laundry service. Conversa will take care of all housing arrangements. On-campus lodgings are available in Santa Ana only in the campus lodges, La Casona and La Casita, but are at an additional cost. Conversa urges students to opt for the Costa Rican homestay; it offers insight to Costa Rican culture and everyday life and the opportunity to use and practice Spanish. The main campus, santa ana, offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, a dining hall and lounge, swimming pool, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts. All on-site program coordinators are bilingual, and arrange airport pick-ups and returns, arrangement with host families, and all cultural excursions to museums and markets. Conversa also offers student discounts on weekend tours, such as white-water rafting, excursions to volcanoes, biological reserves, and private island tours. Students who choose to study at the center in San José may choose either a homestay (breakfast and evening meal only) or other housing options.

Duration

Four week cycles throughout the year. Consult sponsor for exact date.

Application Deadlines

Rolling for all cycles

Costs

Costs Semester:

Santa Ana:

• CCIS Member - $2,760
• Non-Member - $2,960

San José: 

• CCIS Member $2,130
• Non Member $2,330

Costs Included

Instructional costs abroad, fees, textbooks, airport pick-up/return (Santa Ana only), daily transportation (Santa Ana only), room, board, laundry, academic and extra-curricular activities

Not Included

Airfare (student fares available), personal costs $500, on-campus residence option available 

Contact

San José

Universidad Veritas

Program Site

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 Program Highlights

In addition to required credit hours of Spanish language study, which is offered at all levels from beginning through advanced, and offered in four-week sessions or levels, semester courses that are taught in English are offered in Arts and Humanities, Environment and Society, Introduction to Tropical or Marine Ecology, Introduction to International Business, and Intercultural Communication. A Costa Rica Colloquium, which includes excursions to museums and other cultural and historical sites as part of the program, is offered as a credit course; this course is not required, but is a helpful introduction to Costa Rica and Central America. Students may also opt for a full program of Spanish language as there is no obligation to take any of the courses that are taught in English, though they have been designed to complement the Spanish language program. Advanced level students of Spanish may integrate to regular Veritas program. This requires students to arrive about a month earlier and to pay additional costs. Consult sponsor for information. The recommended number of credits is 12-18 per semester. Students should have a 2.5 GPA, and furnish transcripts and three letters of recommendation for admission to the program. The program is open to students who are at least second semester freshmen. All applications and accompanying materials should be sent to Miami-Date Community College for processing.

Student Life

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.

Duration

• Fall: Late September - Late December
• Spring: January - April

Application Deadlines

• Fall:  Early September 
• Spring:  Late November 

Costs

Semester:

• $5,564 (CCIS Members)
• $5,764 (Non-Members)

Costs Included

Instructional costs abroad, administrative fees and orientation, 3 Spanish courses, up to 2 elective courses (taught in English), course-related field trips textbooks, round-trip airport transfer, Costa Rican home stay with breakfast and evening meal seven days per week, laundry, and insurance.

Not Included

Airfare (students fares available), personal expenses (about $500), on-campus residence option available

Contact

NOTE: All costs and dates are approximate and are based on 2002 information.