
Dive into a country renowned for its amazing biodiversity and rich Latin American culture. The Study + Internship in San José program allows you to make steady progress toward your academic degree while developing practical skills in fields such as visual arts, finance, tourism, and more. You have the option to take courses at Veritas University alongside your internship and build your professional network as you gain the hands-on international experience that employers value. Learn more about the benefits of a CEA internship.
San Jose
1/2/21 - 3/27/21
$10,995
12 - 16
Closed
12/1/20
Intermediate And Above
1 year as a registered college student by the time of application
2.75
3-4 courses directly related to the internship field of interest or 6 weeks full time work in the field is encouraged.
CEA’s study + internship program includes a personalized internship placement, a flipped classroom-style online academic course and additional elective courses. Your internship work schedule may vary depending on industry standards for your career field and will be determined after you arrive.
Internship Course
The required internship course has been designed to help you make the most of your internship and launch your transition to professional with the refined and strengthened career skills employers are craving. The course features one hour of face-to-face coaching sessions per week during your internship and includes additional self-directed course content, activities and assignments equivalent to about 30-40 hours total. You will automatically be enrolled in the internship course upon acceptance of your internship placement.
Credit Options
The internship course is a variable credit course, providing you the flexibility to earn between 3-6 semester credits for your internship. The 3 credit internship option includes the required online hybrid course and a minimum of 120 hours at your internship placement. For each additional 40 hours that you work at your internship placement, you may choose to earn 1 additional credit for a per credit fee. Earning additional credits are not required. The credits align to internship hours as follows:
You will identify the credit option that works best for you during the placement process. We strongly recommended that you apply as soon as possible. Internship positions are selective; students who demonstrate both professionalism and commitment throughout the process are most successful in securing placements.
Additional Elective Courses
In addition to your internship course and placement, you will choose 1-3 elective courses taught in English or Spanish elective course to take from the catalog of course options available to you. You may choose an optional Spanish language course as an elective. In the fall semester, you may choose the Early Start semester option, and take an additional language course that meets for 60 contact hours/4 credits.
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. These options provide you with the opportunity to gain professional experience while also making progress toward your degree requirements and engaging in classes that afford a richer cultural experience.
You also have the opportunity to take courses within the same academic theme and earn a certificate. By focusing on a specific academic area you will deepen you understanding of the chosen topic and boost your resume. You have to choose 4 courses from the pre-selected course list to earn a corresponding certificate. The following certificates are available: Global Leadership, Latin America Politics, Sustainability & Environmental Impact, Tropical Environmental Sciences, Wellness & Psychology or Social Sciences & Human Rights in Latin America. The courses corresponding to each certificate can be accessed here.
Language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits and elective courses meet for 48-60 contact hours/3-4 credits. Overall, students may earn 12-16 credits. With the Early Start option, you may earn 17-21 credits.
Elective courses generally meet at various times Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays. Your internship coaching session will meet weekly and your internship placement hours may take place Monday-Friday; the exact time of day and days of the week will be determined after you arrive.
Career Coaching & Placement Process
Once you’ve submitted your application, your career development adventure will begin! The placement process is more than just securing an internship placement. You will engage in a career exploration and coaching journey with your internship coach to help you to identify your ideal professional pathway. During this time, you will receive 7-10 hours of professional career coaching via video, email and workshops.
You will also engage in additional interviews with our in-country internship coordinator and your potential host site supervisor. The host site retains the final decision regarding placements, so it’s important that your interviews reflect your maturity, adaptability, curiosity, and commitment to both your career interests and the host organization.
Timeline Guarantee
Upon successfully completing your in-country internship coordinator interview, CEA guarantees you a placement that will support the personal, professional, and cross-cultural learning objectives you have identified in your career coaching process. All placements will be secured two weeks prior to arrival.
If you have confirmed an internship placement through independent contacts, we can also support you in securing important logistics such as visas, housing, and credit. Contact an admissions counselor for more details.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
International Internship: The Multicultural Workplace * | 400 | En, Sp | 232 | 6 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
ADDITIONAL ALTERNATES NOT NEEDED | 100 | En | 0 | 0 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARCH 3112 History of Latin American Architecture and Art | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
ARCH 3200 Tropical Design and Architecture | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ART 2100 Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice * | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
GEB 3120 Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
GEB 3350 International Business Strategies in Sustainable Development | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
COMM 3070 Creative Conflict Resolution: A Multicultural, Gender Perspective | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
COMM 3200 Intercultural Communication & Competence | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ETH 3100 Selected Topics in Afro-Caribbean Studies * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
DNCE 2500 Theory of Latin American Tropical Dance * | 200 | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
ECON 3403 Introduction to International Economics in Latin America & Caribbean | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
GEB 3500 Ecotourism: The Costa Rica Case * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENV 2500 Introduction to Genetics: Current Applications | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3005 Environmental Impact and Social Development * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3060 Wildcats of Costa Rica | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3100 Tropical Birds of Costa Rica * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3150 Tropical Botany: Useful Plants Workshop | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3160 Conservation Biology & Endangered Marine Species | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3190 Tropical Marine Biology * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3740 Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptations | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 4030 Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems * | 400 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 4040 Sustainable Development & Environmental Awareness * | 400 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
CTV 3400 Documentary Appreciation | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
HDD 3000 Dimensions of Healthy Living | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
HHD 1020 Physical Therapy & Sport Rehabilitation | 100 | En | 48 | 3 |
HHD 1050 Holistic Health Approaches | 100 | En | 60 | 4 |
HHD 1070 Health & Nutrition: A Sustainability Approach | 100 | En | 60 | 4 |
HHD 1150 Introduction to Human Anatomy | 100 | En | 48 | 3 |
HHD 2500 Introduction to Human Physiology | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
HHD 3070 Conflict Resolution and Health Care * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
HIS 3293 Costa Rican Health Care System and Tropical Medicine | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
HIS 2302 Contemporary Latin American History | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
HIS 3130 Sustainability and Resources Management in the Ancient World * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
HUM 3513 Costa Rica Colloquium: History & Culture * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
MGMT 3000 Service Sector Management | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
MGMT 3020 Renewable Energy and Resource Management | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
MGMT 3030 Creative Leadership Skills * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENV 3020 Marine Molecular Biology | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
ENV 3200 Marine Mammals of Costa Rica: Biology and Conservation | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
PHIL 3100 Philosophy and Integrated Thought of the Classic World | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
POL 2500 Human Rights in Latin America | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
POL 3100 Costa Rican Traditions: Peace and Democracy | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
POL 3220 Migration, Globalization and Social Change | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
POL 3420 Costa Rica's Environmental Policy: A History of Policy, Politics and Action. * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
POL 3450 International Relations in Latin America * | 300 | 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 2100 Introduction to Law Enforcement in Costa Rica | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
SOCY 3050 LGBT: Diversity and Sexuality in Latin America * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
SPN 1002 Basic Spanish Oral Communication Skills | 100 | Sp | 48 | 3 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ART 1301 Basic Principles of Drawing | 100 | En | 48 | 3 |
ART 2130 Mural Painting and Public Art * | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENV 4100 Biotechnology and Sustainability * | 400 | En | 60 | 4 |
SUSD 3100 Gender and Sustainability * | 300 | 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?
*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.
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.
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.
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 02
|
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 03
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA Orientation, City Tour & Welcome Lunch. |
January 04 - 07
|
Internship Begins
During this week, the onsite internship will begin |
January 04
|
Orientation
Mandatory Veritas Orientation. |
January 05
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at Veritas University. |
March 27
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. |
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.