Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Intensive Spanish Language
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Location
San José
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Host University
Universidad Veritas
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Term
Winter 1 2025
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Program Dates
Jan 04, 2025 - Mar 01, 2025
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Program Length
Quarter
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Application Deadline
Oct 15, 2024
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Nov 01, 2024
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Credit
120 Contact Hours
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Eligibility
2.50 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
$7,995
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Study Abroad Program Description
This program is intended for students at all levels of Spanish who wish to improve their Spanish proficiency in a short period of time. For each intensive month, you will enroll in one 60-hour course with fellow international students and be instructed by faculty at the Universidad Veritas. Students in the Winter program will enroll in 2 60-hour Spanish courses during an 8-week period.
If you would like extra preparation for another ISA session in San José, or simply want to extend your stay in Costa Rica, this four week session is an excellent option.
Students may add on additional service weeks and earn additional academic credit. Please speak with your ISA Costa Rica Program Manager about adding on additional weeks and 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
Visa Support
Tuition at the Host University
Housing
Meals and Laundry Service
Bridging Cultures Orientation
Internet Access
ISA Discovery Model
Cultural Activities
Insurance
Official Transcript from the Host University
Professional Development Toolbox
Full-Time Resident Staff
On-Site ISA Offices
Academics
Credits
Contact Hours
120
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
8
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
12
Academic Information
During this 8-week quarter session, you will enroll in two intensive Spanish language courses. The intensive Spanish language courses are 60-hour, 4-week long courses and will be completed sequentially.
60-hour Spanish Language courses
60-hour Spanish courses are 4-week long, intensive modular courses that are held for four hours each morning. These courses are an excellent opportunity for you to advance your Spanish language abilities.
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 based on the host university course level recommendations and course codes and are only recommendations.
- 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. These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisers and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.
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
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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.
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.
Bocas del Toro - Optional * Optional
Admire the exquisite blue waters of the Caribbean, lush vegetation, and fascinating biodiversity in this chain of mangrove islands off of the coast of Northeastern Panama. You will tour Dolphin Island, Red Frog Beach, Cayo Coral, and Punta Hospital. These are all excellent places to observe dolphins, red frogs, large starfish, and monkeys.
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.