Medical Spanish & Health Sciences

San Jose, Costa Rica
Medical Spanish & Health Sciences

About the Program

Acquire the language skills and understanding of cultural elements that may come into play when working with Spanish-speaking patients. Designed for students at all levels of Spanish ability who wish to work in the medical and health sciences fields, this program offers health science courses (taught in English) that provide insight into Costa Rica's health care system and offer active learning components that reinforce lessons learned in class. From recognizing medical vocabulary to describing patients' physical and mental states to communication with patients and other medical personnel, language courses focus on developing the ability to effectively communicate with patients through intensive speaking and listening practice set within a medical context. Advanced students will fine-tune their language skills, discussing topics such as advantages and disadvantages of traditional vs. holistic medicine and preparing talks or presentations given at clinics or conferences. Regardless of the level of instruction, expect to give presentations that simulate medical provider-patient interactions. An Early Start option, offered in the fall semester, helps you jump start your (regular) Spanish language skills before your Medical Spanish course begins in the semester.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

San Jose

Dates:

1/4/25 - 5/3/25

Price:

$13,995

Credits:

16 - 20

Deadlines

Apply By:

Still Open

Withdraw By:

12/1/24

Requirements

Transcript - Unofficial
$95 Online Application Fee
Program Participation Agreement
Complete Application

Eligibility

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Minimum GPA:

2.6

Education
Completed:

High School Graduate

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $500 when you apply with code* by November 17, 2024

Where You'll Study

Veritas University

Since its founding in 1976, Veritas University has become one of the most highly recognized private universities in Latin America. Not only is Veritas fully accredited by the Costa Rica Ministry o...

Student Offices
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Study Room
Study Room
Counseling Services
Counseling Services
16-20

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

Enroll in 1 language course, 1-3 health science courses, and 0-2 optional elective courses. Language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits, health sciences and elective courses meet for 48-60 contact hours (3-4 credits). You may earn 12-16 credits (up to 240 contact hours).

If you choose the Early Start option, you'll enroll in an additional language course that meets for 60 contact hours/4 credits. With the Early Start option, you may earn 16-20 credits (up to 300 contact hours) over the semester. Please note, the language course offered in the Early Start option is a traditional Spanish language course. Medical Spanish courses are only offered during the normal semester.

Veritas University offers courses in English and Spanish language. English taught courses are fully in English, while the Spanish language acquisition courses are taught fully in Spanish - the methodology they use is “Spanish in Spanish”.  Veritas utilizes the Competencies based learning as their Pedagogical Model for both English and Spanish courses.

Language courses meet for 3 hours per day, Monday-Friday, for 4 weeks in January (winter semester) or October (fall semester). Health sciences and elective courses meet in the afternoons or evenings, Monday-Thursday, through the entire semester. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays.

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take a language placement exam. Students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish language and consider taking SPN 101 Spanish Basic I or SSP 141 Basic Spanish for Health Professionals, may opt out of the of the language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the result 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.

Beginner Level Course Structure

Available Levels

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
SPN 101 Basic Spanish I 100 Sp 60 4
SPN 102 Basic Spanish II 100 Sp 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
SSP 141 Basic Spanish for Health Professions * 100 Sp 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ADDITIONAL ALTERNATES NOT NEEDED 100 En 0 0
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ART 2100 Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice * 200 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
BIO 1100 Principles of Biology 100 En 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
GEB 3120 Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking 300 En 60 4
GEB 3350 Introduction to International Business 300 En 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ETH 3100 Selected Topics in Afro-Caribbean Studies * 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ENV 3044 Tropical Ecology 300 En 60 4
ENV 3170 Freshwater Ecology 300 En 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
MKTG 3010 International Marketing Management 300 En 48 3
MKTG 3150 Sustainable Consumption and Production * 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
PHOT 2100 Ecological Photography 200 En 60 4
PHOT 2130 Cultural Photography 200 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
PSY 2200 Health Psychology 200 En 48 3
PSY 3050 Cultural Psychology 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
SOCY 3050 LGBT: Diversity and Sexuality in Latin America * 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ART 2130 Mural Painting and Public Art * 200 En 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
THEO 3150 Major World Religions 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ENV 3120 Land Vertebrates of Costa Rica 300 En 60 4

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
January 04
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.

January 05
Orientation

Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation & Welcome Activities.

January 06
Classes Begin

Spanish Language Classes begin at Veritas University.

February 03
Classes Begin

Elective Classes begin at Veritas University on this day.

February 07 - 09
Excursion

Included trip outside the city. Subject to changes.

February 14 - 16
Excursion

Included trip outside the city. Subject to changes.

February 22 - 23
Excursion

Included trip outside the city. Subject to changes.

April 12 - 20
School Break

Veritas University is closed for Holy Week Break. No classes will be held.

May 03
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.
$13,995
$13,995
TOTAL EXPENSES $13,995 $13,995