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Summer: July 17-August 14, 2010
Application Currently Available
Winter: 2011
Contact Us
Please call (619) 594-6398 or email travel.program@sdsu.edu for more information.
Summer 2007 Photos
The Spanish Language Immersion Program in Costa Rica is a four-week intensive study of language and culture of this Central American country. This language immersion program will open the doors to the culture of Costa Rica and provide a unique cross-cultural experience that will enrich your life.
- Open to SDSU students, students at other colleges and universities, and the general public
- Participants earn four units of SDSU resident credit in Spanish
- Courses are taught by faculty of the Costa Rican Culture and Language Institute
- Living accommodations with Spanish-speaking families throughout Alajuela
- This program will enable you to:
- Immerse yourself in the language and culture of Costa Rica,
- Improve the quality and quantity of your spoken Spanish,
- Learn about life in Costa Rica from the "inside," and
- Understand more fully the mores and values that influence the language.
Location
The immersion program will take place at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense (Costa Rican Culture and Language Institute). The Institute is located in Alajuela, a small city adjacent to San Jose, the capital. All participants will enroll in four units of SDSU Spanish prior to departure and will receive credit upon the successful completion of the program in Costa Rica.
Academic Program
The faculty of the Costa Rican Culture and Language Institute will teach all classes and will focus on vocabulary, grammar, and conversation. Classes are small and are held Monday-Friday, from 8 am to 12 noon. In addition, three mini-courses will be held afternoons each week.
Course Offerings
The program includes four units of SDSU resident credit. Students needing a class other than those listed or needing additional units should discuss the matter with program faculty. On average, 12 Spanish courses will be available to choose from. Please contact us for the current course offerings.
Included and Optional Activities
There will be local events included in the program fee that vary weekly, but could include city tours of Alajuela and San Jose, museum visits, Costa Rican cooking intro, Latin dancing, topics in Central American issues, etc. ICLC staff will also organize activities for all international students at additional modest prices. These activities are great opportunities to boat to Tortuga Island, white water raft, and participate in canopy tours, films, theatres and fiestas. The ICLC staff
will help you plan and take part in these or other trips and activities.
Host Families
Families throughout Alajuela open their homes to students studying at the Institute and provide a home-away-from-home. One student is assigned per home, so that you can participate more fully with the family and have more opportunities to learn about this new culture. You will have your own bedroom but may share the bathroom with the family. Your Costa Rican mother will provide two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) and will do your laundry. Your host family facilitates your immersion
into everyday Costa Rican life and enables you to practice those newly acquired linguistic skills.
Airfare
Each student is responsible for making his/her own travel arrangements as airfare is not included in the program price. Please see our additional information page for discounted student airfare information.
Included in the Fee
- Enrollment at SDSU in four units
- Tuition costs at the Culture and Language Institute (including orientation, 90 hours of instruction, academic reports, and administrative services)
- Host family accommodations with two meals daily and weekly laundry service
Not included in the Fee
- Airfare
- Textbooks
- International Student Identity Card
- Travel/medical/personal liability insurance
- Monthly subway/bus passes within Costa Rica
Student Visa
This program does not require a student visa because it is less than 90 days in length. However, if you plan to stay in Costa Rica longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa. Please contact the Consulate General of Costa Rica for more information regarding visas. The process of obtaining a visa is very lengthy, so begin early. You are responsible for your immigration status.
This program is offered by the College of Extended Studies in cooperation with the SDSU Department of Spanish & Portuguese and has the approval of San Diego State University and the Office of the Chancellor, California State University.
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