Costa Rica is best known for its towering volcanoes, pristine beaches, rainforests and unique birds and wildlife. Costa Rica also has a long tradition of democracy, an excellent health care system and the highest literacy rate in Central America. Living in a foreign culture will help students acquire the language faster and it provides the opportunity to practice and apply what is learned in the classroom.

Campus:
Classes will be held at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense (ICLC), Costa Rica's premier language institute. ICLC is set on a hillside surrounded with tropical flowers and fruits in Alajuela, Costa Rica's second largest city. Enjoy the countryside of coffee and sugar plantations while being within 30 minutes from the capital, San Jose.

Academic Program:
This is a study program. Students must carry a 15-credit load and are expected to fully participate in all class activities. In addition to 10 credits of Spanish language, which is taught at all levels, students may choose a course In Modern Latin America or Introduction to Latin American Literature. Language class sizes are never larger than 4 students per teacher.

Application Requirements:
Students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher are eligible to apply. Transcripts are required. Minimum age is 18 (17 with permission).

Faculty:
The group will be accompanied by a faculty member from a Washington State Community College who will teach part of the curriculum complemented by local guest presenters. All language courses are taught by faculty of the ICLC Institute.

Accommodations and Meals:
Students will stay with carefully selected local families in Costa Rica. All students will have their own room and will be provided with continental breakfast and dinner by the family.

Cultural Activities and Excursions:
At ICLC, the Life and Culture program offers a series of local visits and mini-courses. Students will pay ICLC directly for these visits.

Local visits:

• A Costa Rican Art Museum

• The National Museum

• The La Salle Museum of Natural Sciences

• The Juan Santamaria Historical Museum

• The Tropical Bird's Zoo

• San Juan de Poas

• Train to Puntarenas

Mini-courses:

• Costa Rican Art

• Topics in Spanish Grammar

• Central American Issues

• The Diversity of Costa Rica's Forests

• Costa Rican Folk Music

Independent Travel:
Use your free weekends to explore Costa Rica's many attractions. Student favorites include rainforests, San Jose, Jaco Beach, and the Caribbean Coast. Independent travel fees are not included.

Program Fee:  $5,999

Included:

• Private room in Costa Rican home

• Daily continental breakfast and dinner while in homestay

• Laundry services in homestay

• Pre-departure support from CAPA International Education

• On-site orientation and walking tour of Alajuela

• My Education program of cultural activities

• Arrival party

• Farewell party

• Medical and travel insurance

Not included:

• Airfare

• College tuition and fees

• Passport fees (and visa fees, if applicable).  Costa Rican departure tax of approximately $27

• Lunch

Program deadline:  November 15, 2009 (full payment is due at this time)

To request information on program details, costs and application procedure, see Information.