ASA in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Heredia

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 27 - July 27, 2008

Description: The Spanish language immersion and community service program offered by ASA in Costa Rica is a uniquely memorable homestay summer study program for enveloping yourself in the Spanish language and culture.

The ASA Spanish language immersion and community service program in Costa Rica offers you a summer you'll never forget. A true Spanish language immersion adventure, the program is a unique opportunity to live, study, volunteer and experience Costa Rica in its real-life context.

Your Costa Rican family will welcome you into the community and include you in their daily routine. Your home will be in Heredia, just north of San José. One of Costa Rica's most historical cities, Heredia is known as the "City of Flowers" due to its beautiful gardens and flora set amongst a landscape of coffee plantations and lush greenery.

Costa Rica is an exciting place to live and study and you will leave with new friends, special memories and a deep understanding of its colorful culture. Enjoy the challenge of a full schedule of classes, activities and excursions and work on community service projects to expand your view of the world.

Highlights: In Costa Rica, ASA's 25-year-old reputation for academic excellence and small classes is reinforced by our careful selection of native teachers associated with the Costa Rica Spanish Institute (COSI), one of Costa Rica's most respected language schools. Course work stresses communicative skills to improve spoken language skills so you can get the most out of daily interactions with natives.

The community service element immerses you further into the language and culture. You will have the opportunity to work alongside locals and contribute personally to the community. Service projects include teaching English to young children, planting trees in the school gardens, or enhancing the environment in the surrounding countryside. You will receive official certification of completion of 30 hours of community service.

Costa Rica is a small country that boasts an incredibly rich natural diversity, featuring dense jungle, volcanoes, pristine beaches, rainforests and as many as 12 distinct microclimates-each is a unique ecosystem, home to a tremendous biodiversity of plants and animals.

Many exciting activities and excursions are planned so you can make the most of your time. For example, you can:

    * visit the Arenal volcano and hot springs at night to see the lava glow
    * visit a butterfly farm and a "finca" (coffee farm)
    * take cooking classes to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes, and dance classes to master Salsa and Meringue
    * go whitewater rafting; swim and sun at the Guanacaste beach resort
    * visit the Tortuguero reserve and its turtles, monkeys, parrots and crocodiles

The ASA Spanish language immersion and community service program in Costa Rica is a wonderful opportunity to develop lasting friendships, improve your Spanish, and enhance your language skills in real-life everyday situations.

Spanish Language Immersion & Community Service Program - Costa Rica
Grades: Completing grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: At least 1 year of Spanish
Housing: Family homestay

Cost in US$: $5,395

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Transcript
• Written Application

Academic Study Associates (ASA)'s Mission Statement: For over 20 years, ASA has offered the finest educational opportunities for students in both the United States and Europe. ASA's academic enrichment programs have an excellent reputation for providing students with an exciting and challenging educational experience as well as an environment in which they can sample the academic, social, and recreational aspects of college life and immerse themselves in an international culture. Our team of experienced educators and directors constantly improve program design, resources and curricula to provide the optimum experience for our students.

Year Founded: 1983