2013 USC Summer Study Abroad Program in
San José, Costa Rica
June 29 – August 3, 2013

The USC Summer II Study Abroad Program will be conducted in the Central American country of Costa Rica. School days will be spent in the bustling urban center, San José (population approx 1,000,000), which is set in the lush central valley of the Costa Rican highlands. As the cultural center and capital city of Costa Rica, San José is home to many well-established universities. CEA students will be engaged both culturally and academically throughout their studies. For convenience, the CEA office is located on the university side of town. Students rave about the CEA staff and the program's success in helping them to achieve their study abroad and foreign language goals. Participants find the San José study abroad program particularly rewarding due to the friendly locals (called Ticos) and numerous activities the city has to offer. Also an important highlight is San José's central location which makes it easy for touring beautiful Costa Rica.

The program costs will include a day trip to Irazu Volcano and Cartago/Orosi Valley, as well as overnight trips to:

Volcano Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano, is situated near the community of La Fortuna, where it dominates the village landscape. The volcanic hot springs at Baldi Termae are heated to a perfect temperature. While bathing in the thermal springs one can observe the glowing hot boulders which descend from the volcano.

Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the west coast of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park offers the finest of Costa Rican ecotourism. Beautiful and protected, Manuel Antonio offers hiking in lush forests, wildlife, including howler monkeys and sloths, and pristine beaches.

Puerto Viejo, a charming Caribbean town, with its volcanic-sand beaches and enormous waves is well-known for its laid-back atmosphere and Afro-Caribbean culture.

Academics

The USC program in San José will provide students with three credits for SPAN 350 for the culture course and three transfer credits for the language course. Both courses may be applied to the Spanish major or minor, or for general university credit.

Advanced
Spanish Conversation/Grammar (45 contact hours)
Culture of Costa Rica (45 contact hours)

Students will study at CEA Global Education, located near the campus of Veritus University in San José. In addition to formal classroom instruction, CEA will also provide a number of cultural excursions, mentioned above, designed to complement the academic focus of this program. CEA will work closely with USC to identify sites of academic/cultural interest and facilitate the logistical support required to include group transportation, entrance fees, and guides. To enhance the academic component, optional tutoring and cultural exchanges will be available upon request and according to student interest. More details on the selected excursions are included in the proposed itinerary.

Student Accommodations

Students will be able to experience the unique culture of San José by living with host families while on the program. In addition to having an opportunity to be immersed in the language, students will view aspects of the Costa Rican lifestyle that are inaccessible to most visitors. The homes are located throughout the city within walking distance or via local bus, 10-45 minutes from where classes will be held. Most of our families are made up of individuals who do not speak English. Some of the households do have English-speaking members, but we instruct the families to speak only Spanish to the students. Students are usually housed two to a room. The families will provide two meals per day plus laundry service weekly.

Application and Program Fees

Application is due to Study Abroad office no later than February 24, 2013. USC Application and details can be found here. A nonrefundable deposit of $300 (payable to USC), and signed Deposit and Withdrawal Form is due to Leah Miller no later than February 24, 2013. This form is available from the Director of the Program. Included in program fee are three hours of credit, excursions, full room and board with local families, breakfast and dinner every day while in San José, airport transport upon arrival and departure, and insurance coverage through CHP Worldwide Medical Insurance Plan.

Not included in the program fee:

• USC tuition and technology fees for SPAN 350 [3 credits to be paid on VIP before departure]
• Required overseas emergency medical insurance through CISI
• Round-trip airfare to Juan Santamaría International - San José, Costa Rica
• Passport fees
• Optional entertainment and excursions; excess baggage charges; all personal items, such as telephone calls, individual room service, etc.
• Some meals
• Books and school supplies
• Local transportation in San José
• Airport Exit Tax

 

Program fee: $3,700.

Websites of Interest

www.facebook.com/USCSpanishCR

http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/dllc/SPAN/costarica

USC Study Abroad’s “Steps to Study Abroad” breaks the process down, step by step!

¡Pura vida!

Leah Miller

Director, 2013 Spanish Summer II Study Abroad Program

lmiller@mailbox.sc.edu Humanities Office Bldg. 719