Costa Rica

August 22 - September 19, 2026

Summer 2026

Earn 5 Green River College credits in Spanish Language

Application deadline: June 19, 2026

Payment deadline: July 31, 2026

Live and study both in the city and at the beach in Costa Rica for four weeks. Intercultura Costa Rica will teach Spanish Language courses in various levels and you will earn 5 credits; Classes in Heredia city will be taught Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm. At Samara beach the class schedule is alternated between morning and afternoon to fit in excursions, and cultural activities. Must be 18 years old to participate (or 17 with parent permission).

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.

photo of a toucan standing on a branch

 

Courses

 

You will enroll in Spanish language courses at Intercultura Costa Rica Language School, with instruction taking place at both the Heredia and Playa Sámara campuses. Courses are taught by experienced Spanish language instructors and meet for four hours per day, four to five days per week. Class sizes are typically limited to no more than six students, providing ample opportunities to strengthen speaking and listening skills. Upon arrival, you will complete a language placement assessment to ensure enrollment at the appropriate proficiency level. Students earn five credits of Spanish (SPAN& 121, 122, 123, 221, 222, or 223).

 

Housing

 

  • Heredia: Students will live with a local Costa Rican host family. Housing includes a furnished single-occupancy room and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner while in town). Students may request placement with or without another student; however, requests cannot be guaranteed. Homestays are located within a 20-minute walk or bus ride of the language school campus. Students are encouraged to engage actively with their host families to support Spanish language development and cultural immersion and are expected to respect household norms and customs.

  • Playa Sámara: Students will reside in a student residence located adjacent to the language school campus. Housing consists of shared, furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning. Students may prepare meals in the shared kitchen or dine at nearby restaurants.

 

EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

  • Orientation Tours: Guided walking tours of Heredia and Playa Sámara upon arrival.

  • Weekend Excursion #1: Three-day, two-night trip to Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Coast (transportation, lodging, breakfast, and park entrance included).

  • Weekend Excursion #2: Three-day, two-night trip to Arenal Volcano and Baldí Hot Springs, including a canopy zip-line experience (transportation, lodging, breakfast, one dinner, and entrance fees included).

  • Day Trips and Organized Activities: White-water rafting, a visit to the Doka Coffee Plantation, La Paz Waterfalls, and ocean kayaking and snorkeling.

  • Optional Cultural Activities: Activities vary and may include dance classes, cooking classes, yoga sessions, and visits to local farmers’ markets.

  • Independent Activities:

    • Heredia: Free afternoons may be used to visit museums in San José (Gold Museum, Jade Museum, MADC, National Museum) or attend a local soccer match.

    • Playa Sámara: Free mornings or afternoons may be used for paddleboarding, kayaking, or surf lessons (one kayaking excursion included in the program fee).

 

Costa Rica_Volcano selfie_Sarah Bolla