Take advantage of the unique flavors of San José! CEA offers a variety of local immersion activities to match your interests. Whether you enjoy concerts, clubs, sports, cooking classes, language exchanges, or something entirely different, our resident staff helps you get involved in the local culture.
Soccer and Other Sports
Soccer is Costa Rica's national sport and one of the things that makes ticos and ticas vibrate. It’s also a great way to get to know people and stay in shape! Veritas University organizes a soccer team with international students who play against local students or other guest teams. Soccer practice takes place at a nearby park two or three times a week, depending on student schedules. You’ll make many new friends and learn why this sport has such a strong global following. You’ll also have the chance to attend a soccer game between national or international rivals, a great experience for sports lovers.
Dancing
Costa Ricans are known for being great dancers — in fact, one of the most popular activities for both young and old is going dancing on weekends! Join the Veritas dance class and learn to salsa, merengue, cumbia, and swing dance like a true tico. Local students often stop by to listen to the music and help out the dance teacher. After a few classes, you’ll join the dance group and CEA and Veritas staff to practice your new skills at a popular dance club in town. Classes are free and meet twice a week in the evenings.
Cooking
There’s no better way to learn about the culture of a country than by experiencing its culinary art—and now you can learn to cook your favorites to share with your friends and family back home. Join a cooking class and learn how to make delicious regional dishes like gallo-pinto, empanadas, pati, casado, sopa negra, arroz con pollo, and more. You’ll be surprised by the many types of fruits and vegetables incorporated into Costa Rican cuisine. Classes meet once a week and require a $15 contribution for ingredients.
Volunteer Opportunities
CEA has established relationships with local and international non-profit organizations to provide you with the opportunity to help those less fortunate. During the second week of each term, CEA on-site staff present available volunteering opportunities. Please note, most volunteering opportunities require basic knowledge of Spanish language (Basic II level).
Here a few of the volunteer projects students have participated in:
- Assisting At-Risk Children: Volunteer at an orphanage and/or day care center. You must bring a criminal background check issued by your local police in the U.S. in order to participate in this volunteer opportunity.
- Visiting a Hospital: Spend time with children at a local hospital. This is an ideal opportunity to observe and learn about the Costa Rican health care system. Available to female students only. Due to scheduling conflicts over the summer term, this option is only available to students taking electives and no Spanish language courses.
- Spirogyra: Work at a butterfly garden in downtown San José. This hands-on experience allows you to learn about Costa Rica’s many butterfly species.
- Veterinary Office: This year-round opportunity allows you to shadow a veterinarian.
- Special Olympics - Costa Rica: Assist health professionals at occupational and physical therapy sessions to improve cognitive development and physical skills of the kids from 4 - 12 years old. Spanish required: intermediate level.
CEA Tandem Language Exchange
Join Costa Rican English students from the CR-US Binational Center and engage in informal conversational activities. Half the time is dedicated to speaking Spanish, and the other half to English.
