AFS Intercultural Programs - Costa Rica High School and Gap-Year Programs

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: Year High School (Fall/Spring); Semester High School: (Fall/Spring); Short Summer. Inquire for specific dates.

Description: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Costa Rica translates to "rich coast," and you'll find that the country is amazingly lush. National parks and other protected areas make up about 30 percent of the total territory, and much of this is forested. Both coasts are lined with beautiful beaches. Families are close, and you'll probably live in a small rural town, giving you the chance to really get to know Costa Rican culture. Visiting hot springs and enjoying the traditional 'Hello and Good-Bye' dance welcoming new AFSers and saying adias to those returning home will be just a few of your activities. AFS Costa Rica hosts more than 311 students from 21 countries.

Highlights:
Year and Semester Programs:

The school year runs from mid-February through November, with a two-week July vacation. Required courses include Spanish, social studies, philosophy, and math. Most AFS students attend co-ed public schools, and classes consist of lectures and discussions. Once a year, hosted students, host families, and volunteers celebrate Costa Rican National AFS Day with competitions, folk dancing, and cultural displays and activities. An optional educational field trip will be offered at the program's end at an additional cost. Year and semester programs do accept recent high school graduates.

Short Summer Community Service:

Giving students an opportunity to experience all different facets of Costa Rican culture, this program consists of 4 different community service projects, located throughout Costa Rica. Transportation between the different sites will be provided by AFS. Projects in the past have been in areas such as park conservation, school improvements, and archeological and cultural projects.

Short Summer Language Study:

Students will have the chance to really delve into the Spanish language not only in their intensive language courses, but also by living with a volunteer host family. AFS organized cultural activities will give students an opportunity to learn about their new host culture first-hand.

All AFS students are placed with volunteer host families located throughout Costa Rica.

Cost in US$: Contact us for more information.

This Program is open to American Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947