LPI Study Abroad for College Credit in Heredia, Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Heredia

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Dates: Please refer to the LPI website

Description: Nestled in the foothills of the dormant Barva Volcano, the colonial city of Heredia is surrounded by tropical forest, lush green hills dotted with coffee plantations, and national parks. Heredia offers many advantages of a big city, including museums, restaurants, and quaint streets and plazas, while retaining a more relaxed pace of a smaller city. Due to its close proximity, students will also experience the rich culture of nearby San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital, through activities and excursions.

In Heredia, LPI offers two-week or month-long intensive Spanish language programs during the summer months, and week-long programs during Spring Break for AP Spanish. LPI students will be enrolled at the Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica (UICR), founded in 1986 it currently enrolls more than 2,500 students and is one of the largest private universities in the country. The UICR offers students air conditioned classrooms, multimedia and internet labs, a library with several study areas, a cafeteria/restaurant, and sport facilities. Students will be in the classroom for a total of 80 hours for the month-long program, 40 hours for the two-week program and 20 hours for the week-long program. LPI students attend classes Monday through Thursday, including Spanish Language, Costa Rican History, and Ecology. All of the classes are taught for LPI students only. Class size usually ranges between 5-15 students.

Students have access to the LPI office where they can check their email, receive tutoring, check out books, or simply visit and practice the Spanish language. LPIs resident staff is dedicated to maximizing the students experience while studying abroad. They will conduct the on-site orientation, lead excursions, set up intercambios with local students, and assist students with any school-related questions or problems. Visit the LPI website for photos and bios of the resident staff.

Highlights: Excursions include:
* Monteverde
* Manuel Antonio
* Quepos
* Arenal Volcano
* La Fortuna
* Tabacon
* National Museum

Cost in US$: Please refer to the LPI website

This Program is open to American and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

LPI (Learning Programs International)'s Mission Statement: LPI, the high school division of International Studies Abroad (ISA) was established in 1989 to provide an academically challenging and culturally thorough study abroad program for U.S. high school students. Based in Austin, Texas, LPI reaches out to provide study abroad opportunities to students from across the United States. LPI works closely with fully-accredited foreign universities and the LPI resident staff in each program location in order to provide cultural activities, tutoring services, language exchanges, volunteer opportunities, and numerous possibilities for improving language performance. Through LPI, students are able to equip themselves with a working knowledge of a foreign language, earn college credit, experience another culture and explore the area around their program city through cultural excursions.

Year Founded: 1989