ISA Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica

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San José, or Chepe, as it is lovingly called by locals, is the political, economic and cultural hub of Costa Rica. It is the perfect place for students to experience a bustling and cosmopolitan Latin American metropolis, as well as being an ideal ... read more

All Reviews

OVERALL RATING 2.8
Based on 2 Reviews
Academics
Food
Housing
Admin
Cost of Living
Social/Cultural
Overall Experience
I learned so much during my time abroad, both academically and personally. I developed a love for traveling, formed incredible friendships, and improved my Spanish. I would encourage everyone to go! - The College of New Jersey View Entire Review
Yes, it was worthwhile. It forced me to do something outside of my comfort zone and meet new people. I was able to interact with Costa Ricans and see how they in turn viewed the United States. I am going to law school this fall and want to eventually practice International Law with a concentration on Spanish language. I hope to ... - Ohio Northern University View Entire Review
absolutely! - Anderson University View Entire Review
YES!!!!!!!! - Merrimack College View Entire Review
I will never view the world or even the United States the same way again. Ugly things do exist, but people all over the world are so beautiful. I will definitely spend as much time as possible traveling throughout my lifetime. - Concordia University Texas View Entire Review
Studying abroad made me appreciate simple things more. Making friends everywhere and having to survive on my own afterwards gave me invaluable patience and satisfaction. - DePaul University View Entire Review
Yes it was worthwhile. It was the best time of my life at the time, and my first time traveling outside the US and Mexico. It was expensive- close to 5 grand for a month, everything considered (program, airfare, spending money). But, ISA is good for a first time study abroad person because they cater everything to you really we... - Arizona State University View Entire Review
My experience abroad drastically changed the way I look at the world and at myself. Not only did I improve my Spanish, but I got to understand a new culture first hand. The academics at Veritas encourage my assimilation and ISA helped my integration into San Jose and the Tico lifestyle. My experience with ISA was such a great... - Florida State University View Entire Review
A student studying abroad with International Studies Abroad (ISA): San Jose - Spanish Language, Liberal Arts and Environmental Studies
It was the smartest thing I have ever done. I am more confident with my language skills and as a person in general. I am more independent and have a better sense of the world. - Illinois State University View Entire Review
Past Review
This experience was very worthwhile. It gave me the opportunity to learn the Spanish language in a very unique setting. Living with a Spanish speaking home was both difficult and rewarding. I was blessed with roommates who were willing to help me with any difficulties I had and I did the same for them. It also gave me the unique... - University of South Dakota View Entire Review
It was very worthwhile. I wouldn't choose the same program because I would go to a different country. - Xavier University View Entire Review
Going abroad changed my entire view on society completely. I learned so much about others as well as about myself. - Medical University of South Carolina View Entire Review
Absolutely! The negative 1 star is only because the country is expensive. I had to be pretty stingy to stay at $147 per week. The experience was very helpful in my language acquisition, and did not change but reinforced my future plans. - University of Tulsa View Entire Review
I definitely consider this abroad experience worthwhile. I would do it all over again if I got the chance too, I learned so much along the way and made lifelong friends. It didn't feel like I was taking classes and gaining college credit, it felt like a really long vacation that I got to travel with my friends and experience n... - Butler University View Entire Review
My study abroad experience changed my life. I am a better person, I know more of who I am and what is important to me. I have made life-long relationships. I have no regrets whatsoever- only that it wasn't long enough. The hardest time of all was coming home. The first month back was probably the most down time in my life. I cam... - Bethel University & Seminary View Entire Review
A student studying abroad with International Studies Abroad (ISA): San Jose - Spanish Language & Electives, Trimester
not to let stress rule my life; things will get done, it always works out how it should. School and work and life is all about priorities. I have had lots of interaction with Latin American students and cultures, but living in it was so much more potent. I had always wanted to learn Spanish, and this was an excellent opportunity... - Arizona State University View Entire Review
I feel like I grew up while I was gone. I met the most amazing people and got to see things I only dreamed about. I saw and experienced a new culture and lived outside my comfort zone and that only builds character and strength. - University of Colorado - Boulder View Entire Review
Past Review Costa Rica
Yes - Austin College View Entire Review
Yes, it was worth while. I have had so many great experiences and meet a lot of really great people. However, overall I wasn't very satisfied with my trip because I wanted more of an authentic cultural experiences that I didn't feel I had. If I would do it again I would have signed up for a program that didn't offer any classes ... - University of North Dakota View Entire Review
Past Review
- Rice University View Entire Review

About

San José, or Chepe, as it is lovingly called by locals, is the political, economic and cultural hub of Costa Rica. It is the perfect place for students to experience a bustling and cosmopolitan Latin American metropolis, as well as being an ideal jumping off point to experience the many natural wonders of Costa Rica.

San José is set in the lush Central Valley of the Costa Rican highlands and is where the majority of Costa Ricans work, live, and study. Students attending college in San José, Costa Rica will be able to experience a Latin American metropolis while also having the rest of Costa Rica's pristine natural wonders at their fingertips. Downtown San José features a pedestrian-friendly walkway down which students enjoy strolling, stopping at a café and sipping on a coffee and shopping at the Mercado Central. The city is filled with cultural offerings including numerous unique museums and students enjoy catching musical and theater performances at the elegant Teatro Nacional. When students want an escape from the city the Pacific coast is two hours away, the Caribbean coast is 4 hours away and adventures abound in the mountains, rainforests and rivers that surround the city.

Programs in San José include:
  • Semester / Trimester:
       - Arts and Design Courses with Locals
       - Health Care Courses in English & Medical Spanish
       - Spanish Language, Liberal Arts & Environmental Studies


  • Summer:
       - Health Care Courses in English & Medical Spanish
       - Spanish Language & Latin American Culture
       - Spanish Language, Liberal Arts & Environmental Studies



  • Int.Month: Intensive Spanish Language

  • Service-Learning: ISA Service-Learning: Learn about local social issues in San Jose by partnering with a community-based organization and following a reflection-based curriculum.

  • Gap:

      - Spanish Language, Liberal Arts & Environmental Studies
      - Spanish Language & Latin American Culture



Program Type(s):
Study Abroad
Internship
Program Length(s):
  • Fall
  • Summer
  • Spring
  • Short Term
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International Studies Abroad / ISA Scholarships

ISA offers USD 8,000 worth of scholarships annually dedicated to the memory of Michaela Farnum. Michaela was a junior studying International Business and Spanish at Seattle University and was a participant in the ISA program in Chile. Her experience was tragically cut short when she lost her life in a hiking accident in the mountains of La Campana National Park in Chile. ISA hopes that this scholarship will help aspiring study abroad students and will do so in memory of Michaela who only began to realize her dream of study abroad. The scholarship is both merit and financial need-based scholarships for the study abroad expenses for the summer term of the student awardees

8 x $1,000 for Summer Programs

Deadlines:
Summer: February 28th

Guidelines/Requirements:
• Be accepted to an ISA Summer study abroad program or an applicable ISA Internship or Service-Learning program. • Have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA. • Have completed at least one year of college level foreign language or the equivalent. Courses must appear on official transcript. • Be enrolled in second or third year of undergraduate education at a U.S. university/college at time of ISA program participation. • Be on financial aid. FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) and home university Award Letter/form required. **Please refer to the ISA scholarship page for more information on guidelines/requirements.

The ISA Diversity Scholarships aim to encourage students of a broader cultural make-up to participate in ISA programs by offering funds to assist with the expenses of studying abroad. The scholarship amounts to USD 14,000 in awards and is to be used towards ISA programs.

2 x $1,000 for Summer Programs; 3 x $2,000 for Fall Programs; 3 x $2,000 for Winter/Spring Programs

Deadlines:
Summer: February 28th Fall: April 30th Winter/Spring: October 30th

Guidelines/Requirements:
• Be accepted to an ISA study abroad program or an applicable ISA Internship or Service-Learning program. • Have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA. • Be enrolled in second or third year of undergraduate education at a U.S. university/college at time of ISA program participation. **Please refer to the ISA scholarship page for more information on guidelines/requirements.

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