CEA San Jose Student Experiences

Central Michigan University students visit Parque la Libertad to help improve community outreach and social impact on impoverished communities.

A tropical campus: How does it feel? What does it look like? What can we study? CEA students are always amazed to see the natural beauty of the academic environment here in San Jose, Costa Rica. CEA offers a variety of programs catered to diverse interests and backgrounds of study. Our students come to study psychology, art, history, business, and, most popularly, Spanish. Some of our featured programs include the Medical Spanish & Health Sciences, Intensive Spanish Language, and Liberal Arts & Environmental Sciences.

One unique aspect about our program is that taking a Spanish class is required, alongside other elective courses. This is a great opportunity forSan Jose students, as they are able to interact with other locals and truly understand their host culture. Many of the students who visit Costa Rica are inclined to improve their level of Spanish and apply this knowledge for their own academic and personal endeavors.

Alexander Emmons, in the combo summer June and July program, said,

“I chose the Intensive Spanish program through CEA in San Jose because I wanted to improve my level of the language, as it will be very useful both professionally and personally. I want to be able to improve my level of communication with the community of people who I am around back home. I think the CEA spanish program really allows me to gain that first-hand exposure to the hispanic culture and to the language.”

Student, Joshua Egloff, works on a project for his Speech course.

Katherine Pate, Southern Illinois University student, chose the Medical Spanish and Health sciences program in San Jose because,

“[She] wanted to ensure that [she] would be able to take classes that were applicable to the health field since [she] wanted to enter nursing.”

Due of the importance of practical knowledge, students are motivated to utilize what they are learning while out in the city or on field trips. The students who are learning medical Spanish visit hospitals and care for patients. Others who are taking service learning courses are able to apply their knowledge of community assessment by visiting non-profit organizations and working to create a more sustainable environment.

CEA’s study abroad program in San Jose offer students a multitude of experience. They enable students to step outside of their comfort zones and understand and appreciate a well-rounded, holistic academic experience.

Bhumi P.  is a CEA San Jose Winter 2015 alumna and a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently a CEA On-Site Ambassador in San Jose, Costa Rica, where she supports the on-site team and helps students make the most of their time abroad.