Study + Internship in San Jose

Study + Internship in San Jose

About the Program

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.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

San Jose

Dates:

5/25/19 - 7/20/19

Price:

$5,995

Credits:

6 - 7

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

4/1/19

Requirements

Complete Application
$95 Online Application Fee
Internship Interest Form
Transcript - Unofficial

Eligibility

Other:

3-4 courses directly related to the internship field of interest or 6 weeks full time work in the field is encouraged.

Education
Completed:

1 year as a registered college student by the time of application

Foreign Language
Proficiency:

All Levels, although absolute beginners are discouraged. Native English or equivalent fluency may be required for some placements.

Minimum GPA:

2.75

Additional Internship Documents (As Requested)

You may be required to submit additional documents, depending on the needs of your CEA CAPA Global Internship Program. A CEA CAPA representative will reach out to you after you have submitted your initial application to collect any additional documents we might need.
These additional documents may include, but are not limited to:
  • A professional portfolio
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Police Background checks: If you are applying for a placement working with vulnerable populations or children, or if CEA CAPA identifies a placement opportunity with or connected to such an organization, most likely you will be required to complete a police background check in the US and the host country for certain locations.

Internship Career Field(s)

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $500 when you apply with code* by March 15, 2025

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
6-7

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

CEA’s study + internship program includes a personalized internship placement, a flipped classroom-style online academic course and an additional elective course. 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 3-4 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 an additional 40 hours that you work at your internship placement, you may choose to earn 1 additional credit for a fee. Earning the additional credit is not required. The credits align to internship hours as follows:

  • 3 credits: minimum 120 placement hours + internship course
  • 4 credits: minimum 160 placement hours + internship course

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 additional VU Spanish language or elective course to take from the catalog of course options available to you. 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. This provides 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.

Language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits and elective courses meet for 48-60 contact hours/3-4 credits and run in June to align with the academic study program offered at Veritas University. Overall, students may earn 6-8 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.

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
International Internship: The Multicultural Workplace * 400 En, Sp 142 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
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 3350 International Business Strategies in Sustainable Development 300 En 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
CHEM 1050 Introduction to the Physical and Chemical Basis of Everyday Life * 100 En 60 4
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
CTV 3400 Documentary Appreciation 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
HUM 3513 Costa Rica Colloquium: History & Culture * 300 En 48 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
MGMT 3030 Creative Leadership Skills * 300 En 48 3
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
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
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
SUSD 3100 Gender and Sustainability * 300 En 60 4
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
May 25
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.

May 26
Orientation

Mandatory CEA Orientation, City Tour & Welcome Lunch.

May 27
Orientation

Mandatory Veritas Orientation.

May 28
Classes Begin

Classes begin at Veritas University.

June 01 - 02
Excursion

OPTIONAL CEA Excursion: Includes lodging, transportation, some meals, and tours

June 07 - 09
Excursion

OPTIONAL CEA Excursion: Includes transportation, lodging, some meals, and tours

July 20
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.
$5,995
$5,995
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
$275
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.
$0
$0
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$385
$613
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.
$385
$543
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$350
$700
TOTAL EXPENSES $7,463 $8,474