Environmental Studies, Health Care, Liberal Arts & Spanish Language

Universidad Veritas
San José, Costa Rica
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Program Overview

Program Overview

  • Popular Subject Areas

    Environmental Studies, Health Care, Liberal Arts & Spanish Language

  • Location

    San José

  • Host University

    Universidad Veritas

    Veritas University is an independent private university, fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and authorized by the National Council of Private Higher Education (Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Privada, or CONESUP). The University is renowned in Costa Rica for its design, art, architecture and photography programs. Additionally, it prioritizes internationalization and welcomes several hundred international students during any given semester or summer to study through its International Programs Department (DPI). ISA students have access to all of the university's amenities, including computer labs, wireless internet, a library, a cafeteria, and photography labs and studios, should their courses require them. Staff and faculty at the university are easily accessible to students. Spanish language and elective professors provide students with office hours and will also make appointments for special meetings.

  • Term

    Fall 1ASL 2024

  • Program Dates

    Aug 24, 2024 - Dec 14, 2024

  • Program Length

    Semester

  • Application Deadline

    Jun 15, 2024

  • Forms and Payment Deadline

    Jul 01, 2024

  • Credit

    240 - 300 Contact Hours

  • Eligibility

    2.50 Minimum GPA*

  • Cost

    $15,250

  • This session is in progress and is no longer accepting applications.

Study Abroad Program Description

Open to students at all levels of Spanish, this program is an excellent option for those who want to advance their Spanish proficiency while also fulfilling environmental studies, health science, or liberal arts credit.

You will be able to enroll in both Spanish language courses and electives taught in either English or Spanish. Electives that are taught in Spanish are typically only available to students at the advanced or high advanced levels. Your courses will be taught by the faculty at the Universidad Veritas, and you will learn alongside fellow international students. 

You may add on additional service weeks and earn additional academic credit. Please speak with ISA staff about adding on additional weeks and credit. 

Service-Learning in San José
In addition to your academic courses, Study + Service-Learning programs allow you to serve alongside a local organization and engage in reflective assignments. Service-learning will develop your intercultural competency skills and increase your understanding of social issues in your host community. Visit the ISA Service-Learning website to see placement opportunities in San José and for more information about how to receive academic credit.

 

Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex

We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.

*Eligibility

MINIMUM GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES

There is no language prerequisite for this program.

To participate in this program, you must be 18 years of age or older.

What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Airport Reception

Visa Support

Tuition at the Host University

Housing

Meals and Laundry Service

Bridging Cultures Orientation

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site ISA Offices

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

Excursions

Cultural Activities

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Scholarship Opportunities

Academics

Credits

Contact Hours

240 - 300

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

15 - 20

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

24 - 30

Academic Information

Description of Term

This program is the Universidad Veritas' September Intensive Month session + the standard fall semester. In September you will take an intensive 60-hour Spanish language course, followed by your regular semester of coursework.

Course Selection

Students will be able to enroll in four courses at the Universidad Veritas. All 60-hour Spanish courses will be held in the mornings, whereas the 60 and 48 hour electives will be held in the afternoons. You can have one of the following schedules:

  • Three 60-hour modular courses and one elective
  • Two 60-hour modular courses and two electives
  • One 60-hour modular course and three electives
  • Four electives during this program. 

If you have not completed a college semester or quarter of Spanish or the equivalent, ISA strongly recommends you to choose a Spanish module as one of your courses. 

Please note that ISA cannot guarantee course placement and availability. For this reason, we ask all students to consider alternate courses in the event that their preferred courses are not available. 

  • 60-hour Spanish Language courses
    60-hour Spanish courses are 4-week long, intensive modular courses and are completed sequentially. Students can enroll in up to three 60-hour courses.
  • 60-hour courses
    60-hour electives offered by the university may include a field study component at no extra cost to the student. Because of the schedule of these field trips, students are typically only able to enroll in one or two such courses per program. These 60-hour electives run throughout the duration of the trimester. Please contact the Program Manager with any questions.
  • 48-hour courses
    48-hour electives run throughout the duration of the semester. There are electives available in English and in Spanish. 
  • Language Level Placement
    All students enrolling in a language course above the Beginner level must take a Spanish language placement exam prior to departure. The exam will indicate each student's language proficiency level and determine the courses in which the student is eligible to enroll.

Course Level Recommendations

ISA offers course level recommendations for the courses listed below. Please note that the course level recommendations are solely based on the host university's input, but are not necessarily representative of course levels at your home university. These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisers and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions. At Veritas University, course codes are composed of two parts: an alpha code indicating the discipline or field of study and a numeric code that indicates the type of course and level. The first number indicates the level or degree of complexity of ongoing research. 

  • Courses that start with a 1 are introductory courses or beginner level language acquisition courses.
  • Courses that start with a 2 are courses that require more hours of independent study and are intermediate level language acquisition courses.
  • Courses that start with a 3 are courses that require research and presentations, have field trips or visits requiring reports, and are advanced level language acquisition courses.
  • Courses that start with a 4 have a very similar level to level 3 courses, but usually are "specialty areas" within a discipline. 

Requests for sample syllabi can be made to your San José Program Manager. 

Transcript Information

The transcript from Universidad Veritas will reflect contact hours for each course listed below. Please be in touch with your home university regarding credit transfer for this program.

Courses

Filter by Subject

select allclear all

Universidad Veritas
Intensive Spanish Language
Beginning
High Beginning
Intermediate
High Intermediate
Advanced
60 Contact Hours
High Advanced
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
Elective Courses in Spanish
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
Elective Courses in English
Environmental and Sustainability Studies
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
Health Care
60 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
Business Studies
48 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
Art and Media Studies
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
History and Political Science
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
Communications
48 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
Social Sciences
48 Contact Hours
60 Contact Hours
48 Contact Hours
Mathematics
Course Disclaimer
  • Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations

Support & Funding

ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.

SUPPORT TEAM

Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.

Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.

U.S. Team

Rosina D'Angelo

Program Manager, Costa Rica

SAN JOSÉ TEAM

Adriana Caravaca

Resident Director, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Sylvia Chaverri

Director Heredia Programs, Costa Rica

Christian Vargas

Director of Latin America Operations, Costa Rica

Identity Resources

Accessibility & Accommodations

With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.

Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.

Destination Information

Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.

Identity Blog

ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.

Funding

All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!

If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.

Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org

Housing

ISA Housing in San Jose allows students to enjoy an immersive experience living in a Costa Rican (Tico) home with a local family. With an open mind and flexibility, the experience of living in another culture will be both educational and highly rewarding.

We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations; however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed. 

Homestay

ISA San Jose homestays allow students to experience aspects of Costa Rican or "tico" lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. All housing is located in middle to upper class neighborhoods near the Universidad Veritas and offers glimpses of everyday life with easy access to city amenities. Homestays include breakfast and dinner every day (except for excursion days) and laundry service once a week. In your homestay you will have your own bedroom, although there may be another ISA student living in the same homestay. This will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new place and live as a local would, so take advantage, immerse yourself in the "pura vida", and let yourself become a Tico!

Independent Housing

You may opt to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price. By choosing to opt out of ISA housing, you are responsible for researching and reserving housing, and paying all fees, deposits, and rent directly to the housing facility that you choose.

Excursions

THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

Arenal

Arenal Volcano is located near the agricultural community of La Fortuna, where it dominates the village landscape. You will have the opportunity to tour a local sustainable farm, relax in the area's hot springs, gaze upon glowing hot boulders descending from the volcano in the night, and enjoy optional activities, such as horseback riding and hiking through the rainforest.

Irazu & Basilica de los Angeles

The Volcán Irazú is an active volcano just outside of San José with several craters, including one filled with a brilliant, green lake. After visiting the volcano, you will enjoy lunch with a stunning view of the central valley and visit one of Costa Rica's most iconic buildings, La Basilica de Los Angeles.

Punta Leona

On this excursion, you will have the opportunity to visit Carara national park, a famous national park in Costa Rica that is known for its rich biodiversity. You will also spend the night in a hotel on a private reserve on the beach, where you can enjoy the spectacular views, free activities, and optional tours. 

Tortuguero National Park * Optional

Travel by boat to the Tortuguero National Park, one of the major nesting beaches in the world for the Green Turtle. Walk through the tropical rainforest and observe this important ecosystem that provides protection to many endangered species including manatees and jaguars. 

Cultural Activities in San José

The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the culture of Costa Rica. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Costa Rica special. These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included cooking classes, a tour of the National Theatre, a visit to the art museum and picnic, a screening of a Costa Rican film, etc.

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