Students Lounge at VERITAS

ISA Offices
ISA has two offices in San José which students attending either university are free to visit. The Veritas office is located in the Zapote neighborhood just down the street from the university. This office is three stories tall, complete with classrooms, a computer lab, a small garden, a kitchen, and is wheelchair accessible. The ULACIT office is located inside of the university and also offers a computer lab. The ISA offices act as weekly meeting places where students can receive help with homework (including one-on-one tutoring) and get information about various cultural activities.

The Universities
The ULACIT was founded in 1987 and received its accreditation that same year. The ULACIT offers courses in such diverse areas as Business, Law, Language, Humanities and General Electives. The ULACIT is about 35-40 minutes away from the ISA office using public transport (depends on traffic). The school has an enrollment of approximately 1,500 Costa Ricans and 100 international students each semester. The facilities are very modern, and there is classroom space for up to 4,000 students. ISA students will have full access to all university facilities such as Internet, study areas and the library. There are very few Americans at the ULACIT which really adds to the program.

Please make sure to bring a résumé, official transcripts, or any other pertinent credentials in order to provide proof of past experience when enrolling for certain higher-level ULACIT courses (only necessary for classes with Costa Ricans that require previous experience or knowledge in the field - for advanced students only).

Veritas University is a small private university located southeast of San José in a nice, residential neighborhood called Zapote. With curriculum focusing primarily on art, design and architecture, the Tico students are generally artistic and creative and tend to be somewhat liberal. The campus is small but has an open-air atmosphere with a courtyard and cafeteria ideal for studying or practicing Spanish with other students. Classes are relatively small and boast a good student-to-teacher ratio in a multicultural setting. Expect to see other American students in your classes and in the common areas.

Homestays
You will stay with a Costa Rican family in a middle-class neighborhood. Veritas students will live in the Zapote neighborhood, within walking distance to the university. Students attending ULACIT will have a 10-20 minute commute, as the university is located in downtown San José and host families are located in residential areas.

Although homes will vary (some may be apartments and others houses), all of them will provide a comfortable bed and a good light for studying. Meals will vary with each family; however, you can generally count on lots of rice and beans and also fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember that little courtesies will mean a great deal to your host family and those around you. If you enjoyed a meal, be sure to compliment the cook. Keep an open mind and try new things.

While staying with a host family, be respectful of the family. If you come home late at night take care to not wake up the family. Also talk to your host parents about your schedule so that they will know what to expect. If you can’t make it for lunch or dinner or if you’ll be home late in the evening, call the family and let them know so that they are not unduly concerned. In general, it is best if you socialize with your friends in a café and not the host family’s home in which you are staying. Be sure to find out how your hosts feel about your inviting someone in. If you ask how your host family feels about something or what their policy is on a certain issue, you will alleviate any potential misunderstandings on either side before they occur.