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For those who’re eager about a mix of energetic Latin tradition, lovely pure landscapes, and ample educational {and professional} alternatives, Costa Rica may be the right examine overseas program vacation spot for you. AIFS Overseas affords quite a few examine and intern overseas applications in San José, the nation’s capital. Learning or interning overseas on this Latin American capital metropolis means that you can earn credit score in direction of your diploma and construct your resumé, all when you stay like a neighborhood and immerse your self within the welcoming tradition. On the weekends, you may spend your free time exploring the nation—visiting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, mountain climbing up volcanoes for spectacular views, or getting down to the jungle seeking distinctive wildlife. Wish to be taught what it’s really wish to examine overseas in Costa Rica?
Hear from three faculty college students who studied overseas in Costa Rica with AIFS Overseas!
Mary: Spring in San José
Do you know that you simply don’t have to attend till you’re an upperclassman to check overseas? Many underclassmen examine overseas with AIFS Overseas yearly. Mary, a biology main and public and international well being minor from Wayne State Faculty, studied overseas in Costa Rica in the course of the spring semester of her sophomore 12 months.
Mary selected to stay in a homestay in Costa Rica; beneath, she shares a number of the advantages of this immersive housing choice:
“I’m dwelling with a number household so I get all of my breakfast and dinners supplied for me… I’ve beloved all the pieces my host mother makes, and I really like gallo pinto (a conventional Costa Rican breakfast dish). The recent fruit right here can also be wonderful!… I completely love dwelling with a number household—I can confidently say it’s my favourite half about being overseas. My host mother and pa are so candy, and I’ve simply realized a lot about Spanish and the tradition that I might not have the ability to with out them.”
Mary not solely cherished her time along with her host household, however she additionally deeply appreciated the help of the on-site AIFS Overseas employees in San José:
“I really like the Costa Rica Program Director, Karla! She’s so useful with all the pieces and at all times there for us! … The AIFS workplace… is only a tremendous shut stroll from campus—simply a few minutes. And it’s a fantastic place the place you may hang around with pals [and] take a look at the cultural actions AIFS has; I work on homework, generally I eat lunch right here, you may speak with the wonderful employees, and it’s only a very nice, secure house to have.”
For anybody eager about studying Spanish overseas, Costa Rica is an outstanding alternative. Whereas AIFS Overseas doesn’t require you to talk or be taught Spanish for a lot of of our applications, we do provide Spanish programs, together with intensive Spanish applications at a few of our program locations, which Mary describes beneath:
“I’m doing an prolonged semester, which is 16 weeks as an alternative of 12 weeks for the common semester. The final month, I shall be taking an additional Spanish course after the common semester when college students go house… I didn’t know very a lot Spanish earlier than I acquired right here. I had taken courses in highschool, however I had forgotten lots, so I used to be a bit nervous. Nevertheless, I took an intensive Spanish course the primary month, which helped a ton, and I’ve realized a lot from dwelling with a number household. You undoubtedly don’t must be fluent [in Spanish] to check in Costa Rica, and also you be taught very quick!”
Mary took three different courses along with her Spanish Intensive programs. To sum up her class expertise in San José, she stated the next:
“I actually get pleasure from all of my courses and love the way in which my professors genuinely care about college students’ studying!”
Jolina: Summer season in San José
Meet Jolina, a nursing pupil and FEA Recipient Grant awardee from California State College, Chico, who did a summer time examine overseas program in San José.
As a nursing pupil who’s captivated with overcoming language obstacles within the U.S., selecting to check overseas in Costa Rica was a straightforward determination for Jolina. Along with being a Spanish-speaking nation, Costa Rica is famend for its glorious healthcare system. Beneath, she explains her determination in additional element:
“I’ve labored at hospitals [in the U.S.] the place there’s restricted entry to translation providers, and I’ve seen how language obstacles pose important challenges in healthcare. Sufferers might battle to precisely describe their signs or perceive their analysis and remedy. It is very important ship equitable and culturally delicate care to all sufferers, whatever the language they converse. I got here to Costa Rica with the intention of studying medical Spanish and bettering my earlier data of Spanish.”
Native Costa Ricans, known as “Ticos,” are identified for being welcoming and prioritizing their well-being. Beneath, Jolina describes how studying about their tradition positively formed her outlook on life:
“Ticos prioritize the ‘pura vida’ way of life, which means they stay a ‘pure life.’ The ‘pura vida’ lifestyle focuses on discovering stability and dwelling modestly. It additionally entails sturdy connections with pals, household, and the group. Along with the ‘pura vida’ mindset, Ticos observe a nutritious diet, an energetic way of life, and stress-reduction practices. This was fascinating to be taught, and I adopted this cultural angle whereas right here. It’s wonderful how the Ticos prioritize a balanced, constructive mindset.”
In Costa Rica, private well-being and environmental well-being go hand-in-hand, making it an excellent location for anybody eager about fields associated to public well being or conservation. Beneath, Jolina explains some sustainable practices she and different AIFS Overseas individuals adopted in Costa Rica:
“The town itself was extremely walkable, which made it simple to scale back my carbon footprint. My college was only a 15-minute stroll away, and the closest grocery retailer was conveniently positioned across the nook, making it easy to stay an eco-friendly way of life with out the necessity for a automobile. I discovered myself strolling in all places, whether or not it was for errands, meals, or exploring town, which not solely helped me keep energetic but in addition aligned with the nation’s emphasis on sustainability. After we did want to make use of transportation by way of the AIFS program, we made certain to prioritize sustainable choices. For instance, we used buses for our excursions, which helped reduce our environmental impression. Public transportation is a good way to scale back reliance on automobiles, and I appreciated how this system inspired us to participate on this sustainable follow.”
Marie: Fall Examine + Internship in San José
Marie from the College of Wisconsin-Whitewater did a Examine + Internship program in San José in the course of the fall semester. A Examine + Internship is a novel program that mixes a conventional examine overseas expertise with a part-time internship. This permits college students to take courses and earn credit towards their diploma whereas gaining worthwhile skilled expertise. Hear Marie clarify the educational facet of her program:
“I’ve taken 4 courses in whole right here whereas interning. I took Spanish my first month right here—I’m doing the prolonged semester, so I completed that up in September… I’m additionally taking Artistic Management Expertise, Worldwide Advertising and marketing Administration, in addition to Local weather Change. They’ve all been tremendous fascinating; there’s such a wide selection of courses, and I’ve completely beloved them. We’ve went on discipline journeys for many of them as nicely.
In at this time’s interconnected world, employers regularly search for candidates with cross-cultural communication expertise—a talent you’ll frequently follow should you intern overseas in Costa Rica. Beneath, Marie explains her part-time advertising internship in San José in additional element:
“I’m additionally interning with the worldwide advertising division [at a university here], I do this 30 hours every week. It’s been actually rewarding… I’m normally engaged on the social media accounts in addition to fixing up any of the promotions within the college… I actually get pleasure from it. [My] supervisors are wonderful. I additionally get the chance to assist with larger occasions… in addition to many of the welcome actions. I additionally get an enormous function in planning… all of these issues, so it’s been tremendous enjoyable. Another internships listed below are for marine biology analysis, enterprise journey company, wildlife monitoring and conservation, human rights, social work, and first college. So many alternative choices… I actually, actually get pleasure from it…”
Beneath, Marie explains why she selected this Examine + Internship program in San José:
“I’m only a normal advertising main, however with the Spanish minor, I’m hoping to journey [for work] sooner or later. Getting the hands-on expertise has actually benefitted me and added to my total expertise.”
Hear Marie describe a few of her favourite issues about Costa Rica:
“My favourite issues about Costa Rica are undoubtedly the locations I’ve gotten to see and the way I’ve actually gotten to know extra about their tradition. The locations [I’ve visited] have been completely attractive, the temperature is at all times tremendous good, too… I’ve beloved attempting out snorkeling and ziplining; these are two issues I’ve by no means completed earlier than this. I actually can’t say there’s something I’d change about my expertise…”
Uncover all Costa Rica has to supply—examine overseas in San José with AIFS Overseas like these faculty college students did!
AIFS Overseas affords a spread of examine and intern overseas applications in Costa Rica, every tailor-made to satisfy particular educational, private, {and professional} preferences. Costa Rica affords distinctive alternatives to immerse your self in its unmatched magnificence, colourful Latin tradition, and welcoming communities. Wherever you examine overseas, go along with AIFS Overseas and reap the benefits of our worthwhile program inclusions (which actually take the stress out of planning!), similar to housing, journeys and excursions, social and cultural actions, 24/7 emergency help, complete insurance coverage, and the help of our trusted on-site employees.
