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Give back to your host community in an experience that combines meaningful service learning placement with academic reflection in a structured environment. Gain hands-on experience with a focus on sustainability studies in the rural community of Pejibaye in Cartago Province.
This summer program is designed for students at the low-intermediate Spanish level language and above. If you need to brush up on your Spanish, or want to further your language skills, courses are available in the month prior to your service learning placement.
During your service learning placement, real-life experiences follow the principles of both service learning and sustainable development. You'll work alongside rural communities—developing an understanding of local environmental challenges—while exploring and reflecting on course content.
The course’s real-life experiences go beyond traditional volunteering by integrating interaction within local and disadvantaged communities; service in public or non-profit, non-governmental organizations; first-hand assessment of community needs, expectations, and strengths; exploring and reflecting on course content; and providing concrete service, ranging from hands-on tasks to strategic advice. You'll also attend group class sessions (taught in English) inside beautiful La Marta Wildlife Refuge, where you'll analyze your experiences, gaining insight and a critical perspective through reflection.
When you study abroad in San José, you can choose CEA CAPA housing or arrange your own independent housing. Assignments are based on availability and confirmation date; we make every effort to match your housing requests, but we can’t guarantee housing preferences.
Program Structure
You can choose between several sessions, depending on how long you want to stay in Costa Rica and the number of courses you want to take.
Students wanting to advance in their Spanish studies can take an intensive Spanish course in June that meets for 80 contact hours/5 credits. Language courses meet for 4 hours in the morning, Monday-Friday. Upon completion, you’ll begin the service learning portion of the program where you can choose from 1-2 courses as described below.
Not interested in taking additional language courses? Choose a 1- or 2-course option in the 5-week July session. Students in the 1-course option enroll in 1 service learning course that meets for 80 contact hours/5 credits. You'll spend 3 hours a day, 3 days per week working with a local organization, then attend class inside the La Marta Wildlife Refuge for 3 hours per day, 3 days per week. Together, your course and service learning placement are worth 5 credits (80 contact hours).
Students in the 2-course option will also enroll in 1 culture and language course, which meets for 45 contact hours/3 credits. In the 2-course option, you may earn a total of 8 credits (125 contact hours).
Prior to departure, you will take a Spanish language level placement exam. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings may not be finalized until the start of the term; we’ll post an updated list when the host institution finalizes its offerings.
*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.
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.
Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna
Arenal Volcano is located next to La Fortuna, built in 1969 after the original town was destroyed by a huge eruption. On the way to La Fortuna, you’ll stop at Finca Don Juan, an organic farm where you’ll learn about organic products like cassava. Next enjoy a hike to La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim in cool waters hidden in the jungle. Finish your day with a visit to Baldi Hot Springs , where you can relax in the many water pools naturally heated by Arenal Volcano.
See Details
Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna
Arenal Volcano is located next to La Fortuna, built in 1969 after the original town was destroyed by a huge eruption. On the way to La Fortuna, you’ll stop at Finca Don Juan, an organic farm where you’ll learn about organic products like cassava. Next enjoy a hike to La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim in cool waters hidden in the jungle. Finish your day with a visit to Baldi Hot Springs , where you can relax in the many water pools naturally heated by Arenal Volcano.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Located on the Central Pacific Coast in Puntarenas Province, Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular and beautiful national parks and home to many endangered species, such as the Titi monkey. On the way to Manuel Antonio, you’ll stop at the Tárcoles River to watch huge crocodiles in their natural habitat. Once inside Manuel Antonio, keep your eyes open for monkeys, sloths, and many species of birds and insects as you enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and impressive lookout points in this lush tropical forest. Colorful and plentiful crafts sold on the beach make this the perfect place to buy souvenirs for loved ones back home.
See Details
Manuel Antonio National Park
Located on the Central Pacific Coast in Puntarenas Province, Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular and beautiful national parks and home to many endangered species, such as the Titi monkey. On the way to Manuel Antonio, you’ll stop at the Tárcoles River to watch huge crocodiles in their natural habitat. Once inside Manuel Antonio, keep your eyes open for monkeys, sloths, and many species of birds and insects as you enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and impressive lookout points in this lush tropical forest. Colorful and plentiful crafts sold on the beach make this the perfect place to buy souvenirs for loved ones back home.
Doka Estate Coffee Tour & Poas Volcano
Enjoy beautiful views from the mountainside and savor a warm cup of coffee as you gaze out at the coffee plantations of Alajuela. Thanks to eruptions from Poás Volcano, this land’s rich soil is perfect for growing coffee, one of Costa Rica’s major exports. Next you’ll head to the volcano where you'll take a short hike up to its crater,which is one of the biggest in the world (2 kilometers in diameter).There the turquoise acid pool and fumaroles are visible coming out of the sides of the crater.
See Details
Doka Estate Coffee Tour & Poas Volcano
Enjoy beautiful views from the mountainside and savor a warm cup of coffee as you gaze out at the coffee plantations of Alajuela. Thanks to eruptions from Poás Volcano, this land’s rich soil is perfect for growing coffee, one of Costa Rica’s major exports. Next you’ll head to the volcano where you'll take a short hike up to its crater,which is one of the biggest in the world (2 kilometers in diameter).There the turquoise acid pool and fumaroles are visible coming out of the sides of the crater.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Visit a cloud forest that boasts a complex, far-reaching ecosystem that’s home to thousands of species of mammals, birds, insects, and plants, including many endemic and endangered species. Take a night walk to observe fascinating nocturnal animals like spiders and snakes, and immerse in the cloud forest through a tour of hanging bridges. During your free time, you can explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and experience being both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides of the country at once by stepping on the Continental Divide.
See Details
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Visit a cloud forest that boasts a complex, far-reaching ecosystem that’s home to thousands of species of mammals, birds, insects, and plants, including many endemic and endangered species. Take a night walk to observe fascinating nocturnal animals like spiders and snakes, and immerse in the cloud forest through a tour of hanging bridges. During your free time, you can explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and experience being both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides of the country at once by stepping on the Continental Divide.
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.
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.
$3,995
$3,995
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
International Airfare & Transfers Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$500
$1,500
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.
$165
$165
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.
$32
$44
Meals Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$263
$413
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.
$263
$361
Travel Expenses Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$150
$454
TOTAL EXPENSES
$5,368
$7,207
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.
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.
July 02
Orientation
CEA Orientation, city tour & welcome lunch
July 03
Orientation
ULACIT Orientation and campus tour.
July 04
Classes Begin
Classes Start (ULACIT Campus). Introduction to Service Learning and Practice Session on Service Learning
July 06
Transfer
Departure to Pejibaye, Cartago - La Marta Wildlife Refuge. Welcome Session to meet host families. Historic-Natural Tour of La Marta Wildlife Refuge
July 07
Orientation
Visit to local centers in the community of Pejibaye. Students choose projects
July 10
Classes Begin
Community Work Starts. Serving at local centers
July 14 - 16
Excursion
Excursion to Monteverde. Includes: lodging, transportation, breakfast, Hanging bridges tour & night walk
August 04
Classes End
This is the last day of classes and work in the community
August 05
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date.
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