Spanish in Costa Rica
Earn Saint Francis University credits in a program organized and led by Saint Francis University Faculty. Become familiar with the Costa Rican culture, travel to new and interesting places and live within the land of the “Switzerland of the Americas.” Gain the extra Spanish proficiency required by some majors allowing you to work with many Spanish-speaking clients, patients or students you may encounter in future careers.
Academic Program
You may take a total of 6 credits: 3 credits in ART 115, 3 or 6 credits in Spanish, and/or 3 credits in BIOL 412. Spanish classes, small in size, will be interactive and focused on communication and culture. Majors and minors will study Spanish for 5.5 hours per day the 1st 2 weeks and 4 hours per day the 2nd 2 weeks. The students taking the ART or BIOL course will study Spanish for 4 hours per day the first two weeks and 2 hours per day the second two weeks, leaving time for their ART or BIOL course which is taught in English.
Three campuses
What makes this study abroad program so unique is the fact that you’ll have the opportunity to study Spanish at three very different campus settings, all of which have experienced, professional faculty and air-conditioned classrooms. Each of these campuses has been custom designed and built to serve as a Spanish Immersion School. The first part of the program will take place in San Joaquin de Flores, a typical Costa Rican town in the lush green mountains of the central highlands, where the average yearly temperature is 75 degrees. The middle week of the program will be at the lovely "Cloud Campus" in Monteverde, nearly 5,000 feet above seal level. The program will end on the Pacific coast at the beautiful campus on Flamingo beach.
Housing and Meals
You’ll live with a middle-class host family which will give you the opportunity of a total immersion experience. During your stay with your host family, you will have two meals daily along with open conversation and participation in family life. Lunch will either be on campus or included on excursions
Excursions
Costa Rica is famous for its ecotourism so everywhere you go you’ll notice how “Ticos” care for their environment in so many creative ways at the same time offering visitors to their country some adventures of a lifetime. Imagine zip-lining in a fantastic tropical setting and then going river tubing! You’ll also spend a weekend at a spa located at one of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes where you’ll enjoy the hot springs on Saturday. On Sunday, you’ll hike in a nature reserve, seeing monkeys, toucans, macaws and other tropical animals in their natural habitats. For another excursion, you’ll visit the country’s capital, San Jose, where you’ll see the beautiful national cathedral, museums, and some fascinating Spanish architecture. On another occasion, you’ll have the opportunity to provide service in the Franciscan spirit at a colony of Nicaraguan immigrants about an hour from San Jose.