Focus on Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: inquire for specific dates

Description: 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.

Program Description

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.

Highlights: 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.

Cost in US$: $5,900 - $8,900

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

AFS Intercultural Programs'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