Spanish Language and Culture in Costa Rica

Students will travel together to Costa Rica, a global center of tropical biodiversity, which is a  five-hour plane ride from of Detroit. In Costa Rica, the laid-back local culture focuses on pura vida and preservation of the country’s unique natural habitat. Students will stay with local host families in Coronado close to Academia Tica, one of Central America’s premier Spanish language schools.

While in Costa Rica, you will take Spanish classes at Academia Tica each morning. Following lunch at the school, each afternoon will include a different cultural activity or excursion, including a tropical fruit tasting, a nighttime wilderness walking tour, a zip-line adventure in the surrounding rainforest, local cooking and dance classes, and a visit to an animal rescue organization. On the weekend, you will enjoy a cultural tour and museum visit in San José and an excursion to the Poás Volcano National Park and a nearby coffee plantation.

All students will take SPN 1150: Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture II (4 cr.).

This course is open to everyone who has completed SPN 1140 or the equivalent of one semester of college-level Spanish. Taking this course satisfies OU’s general education requirement in the Language and Culture Knowledge Exploration area and will enable you to continue on to the second-year Spanish language course sequence, SPN 2140 and 2150.

Students will live in homestays with local families within walking distance of Academia Tica. Each student will have a private room in their family’s home. Most families do not speak English and communication will be entirely in Spanish. All families have extensive experience hosting foreign students.

Breakfast and most dinners will be provided by the host families, while lunch will be on the Academia Tica campus. Welcome and farewell dinners at local restaurants are included.

While in Costa Rica, you will have the opportunity to enjoy local specialties including gallo pinto, ceviche and casado, as well as a wide variety of tropical fruits and coffee.

Tuition: 4 credits

You will be charged for four credits on your eBill at your normal rate of tuition.

Program Fee: $2,650

To be paid to OU on our MarketPlace payment system and includes: roundtrip airfare, housing and most meals, ground transportation and all excursions while in Costa Rica, and health insurance.

Additional Costs: $315

You will need additional funds for these expenses not covered by the program fee. Amounts are estimated.

• Incidental personal expenses: $100
• Meals: $50
• Passport (if you don't have one): $165

Scholarships and Financial Aid: You are able to use financial aid to cover your full cost of attendance to this program (tuition, program fee and additional costs). Scholarships are also available through your study abroad application.