International Relations & Business

San Jose, Costa Rica
International Relations & Business

About the Program

Examine topics in business, economics, human rights, globalization, and the environment through this interdisciplinary program. Gain an understanding of how political, cultural, and economic relations influence the global community and the role Costa Rica plays in the world. Take courses alongside local and other international students at our partner institution, Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT). Courses are taught in English, but you can take Spanish language courses, as well as electives taught in Spanish. This program is designed for students at all levels of Spanish language proficiency. Costa Rica, a long-standing and active member of the international community, is an ideal location to explore contemporary global issues.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

San Jose

Dates:

9/7/18 - 12/22/18

Price:

$10,295

Credits:

12 - 16

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

7/15/18

Requirements

Transcript - Unofficial
Complete Application
$95 Online Application Fee

Eligibility

Course Prerequisites:

Some courses may have prerequisites.

Education
Completed:

High School Graduate

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Minimum GPA:

2.5

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $500 when you apply with code* by May 30, 2025

12-16

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

Choose up to 4 courses from a variety of International Relations, Business, Spanish Language, or elective options. Courses meet for 45-60 contact hours/3-4 credits. You may earn 12-16 credits (180 – 240 contact hours) per semester.

Language courses meet for 6 hours weekly. International Relations, Business, and elective courses meet 1-2 days per week. Classes may be scheduled in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take a Spanish language level placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the results of your placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Costa Rica. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
 

All Levels Course Structure

Courses

The following courses have been confirmed for this term. Please note, the host institution reserves the right to cancel or change courses without prior notification.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Financial Accounting * 100 En, Sp 45 3
Managerial Accounting * 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Innovation and Technology * 100 En 45 3
International Business 200 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Applied Microeconomics * 200 En 45 3
Elements of Microeconomics * 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Corporate Finance * 300 En 60 4
E-Commerce * 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
General Economics 100 En 45 3
Intercultural Communication and Protocol 200 En, Sp 45 3
International Economics 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Managerial Skills Development * 200 En 60 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Information Systems Management * 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
International Marketing * 200 En 45 3
Marketing Management * 200 En 45 3
Principles of Marketing * 100 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Moral Reasoning and Ethical Decision-Making 200 En 45 3
Quantitative Research Methods in Social Sciences * 200 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Argumentation and Rhetoric 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Expressions of the Human Spirit 200 En 45 3
Globalization, Environment and Human Development * 200 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Costa Rica and World Affairs * 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Multimedia and the Internet * 100 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Spanish 300 Sp 60 4
Basic Spanish 100 Sp 60 4
High-Beginning Spanish 200 Sp 60 4
High-Intermediate Spanish 200 Sp 60 4
Introductory Spanish 100 Sp 60 4
Low-Beginning Spanish 100 Sp 60 4
Low-Intermediate Spanish 200 Sp 60 4
Spanish Writing and Style * 300 Sp 45 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in San José. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Career & Re-entry Workshop
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
September 07
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.

September 08
Orientation

Mandatory ULACIT Orientation will be held.

September 09
Orientation

Mandatory CEA Orientation, City Tour & Welcome Lunch.

September 10
Classes Begin

Classes begin at ULACIT.

September 10
Orientation

Mandatory ULACIT Orientation.

October 05 - 07
Excursion

Excursion: CEA Excursion to Monteverde: Lodging, transportation, some meals, and several tours

October 26 - 28
Excursion

CEA Excursion to Nicaragua: Lodging, transportation, some meals, and several tours

December 22
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$10,295
$10,295
CEA Secure
CEASecure™ is an optional refund plan that allows students to withdraw for any covered reason up to one week before the program’s start date
$0
$475
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$1,000
$1,600
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$348
$348
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$34
$84
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$770
$1,225
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$770
$1,085
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$700
$1,400
TOTAL EXPENSES $13,917 $16,512