Summary

With volcanic mountains and tropical forests nearby, the city of San José is a bustling urban center with friendly, welcoming citizens. As an intellectual center for the country, the University of Costa Rica (UCR) provides a rich social and cultural education in addition to an excellent academic experience. The intensive language program (ILP) provides exceptional training to prepare you for the academic culture of UCR, and includes excursions to both highland and coastal areas. The Study Center coordinates opportunities for volunteer community service and internships.

UC Students attend classes with host country students.

Duration

Go to Current Participants to see current or past calendars.

Spring semester: mid-January to mid-July
Spring semester with internship: mid-January to mid-August

Academic Focus

Regular university course work with especially strong offerings in anthropology, biology, economics, environmental and ecological studies, geography, history, Spanish language and literature, and the social sciences. Courses vary each semester so you are encouraged to check course availability in the UCR online schedule of classes. The Study Center organizes an optional core course to assist you in your intellectual approach to Central American issues and, if you are interested, to prepare you for independent research.

Use the following resources to learn about EAP courses:

• Subject Area Chart to find general areas of study.
• MyEAP Course Catalog to search for courses previously taken by UC students.
  Additional courses may be available at host institutions or program locations and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.
• Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
  • University of Costa Rica
• Study Center website to find syllabi from selected courses or the University of Costa Rica catalog (Planes de Estudio).

Language of Instruction

Spanish

Language Study

The program begins with a four-week Spanish intensive language program (ILP).

Internships, Research, and Independent Study

Independent study and internships for academic credit may be possible in this program during the spring semester. Arrangements are generally made at the Study Center after arrival at the host institution.

If you have successfully completed the ILP and spring semester you are eligible for participation in an internship program that runs through July and August, subject to approval by the Resident Program Director. Past internships have been organized in the city of San José and in outlying areas of the country.

Units

You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad. Most students enroll in four courses to meet the minimum unit requirement.

ILP: 3 to 8 UC quarter units
Spring semester: minimum 18 UC quarter units
Internship option: 6 UC quarter units

Housing

EAP arranges a homestay for you for the four-week ILP. Following the ILP, you may either choose to remain with your host family or rent an apartment in San José with host country students and/or other UC students.

On-site Support

EAP students are supported by UC’s network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of their host country and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

See the EAP Student's Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).

Host Institutions

• University of Costa Rica, San José

University of Costa Rica, San José

The symbol in the center of the UCR logo is the sunflower, chosen because it always turns toward the light. Embracing this idea, the University of Costa Rica has become the primary public university in all of Central America. It enrolls 30,000 students in 37 schools and many faculties, which are organized into five main areas of learning and scholarship: Fine and Liberal Arts, General Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Health Science. Past EAP students have fared well in anthropology, art, biology, economics, environmental and ecological studies, geography, history, political science, sociology, and Spanish-language literature. Many other fields are also available.

Visit the University of Costa Rica website

Estimated Cost

The cost of study on EAP can be close to the cost of studying on campus and is typically far less than the cost of non-UC study abroad programs. You can also take your UC financial aid abroad! If you do not currently receive UC financial aid, you may qualify for aid while on EAP. Each year, EAP students receive $1.3 million in study abroad grants and scholarships.

The estimated total cost for options in this program are listed below. Future costs will vary due to currency fluctuation, etc. All estimated totals include:

• UC fees
• program-specific fees
• room and board
• mandatory insurance
• incidentals
• transportation
• books
• on-site orientation
• predeparture expenses
• intensive language program expenses where applicable

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

• Class level: junior, senior, graduate
• Language prerequisite: Minimum two years of university-level Spanish (or equivalent) by the end of the last term prior to departure. If at the time the program starts it will have been a year or more since you last took a course in Spanish, it is recommended that you refresh your proficiency before departure. Contact your Campus EAP Office for details.
• GPA: 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 language GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure. If you are below a 3.0, you must confer with a Campus EAP Advisor before submitting an application.

In addition to program-specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into the student’s UC degree program
• Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
• Willingness to abide by program regulations
• Endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)

These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines final selection and admission.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office.

In addition to your campus deadlines, there are deadlines by which the Campus EAP Office must submit the completed applications and accompanying materials to the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP). For participation in the Program, it is critical that both campus deadlines and UOEAP deadlines are met. If the application is incomplete and not accompanied by the required materials noted, it will be returned to the Campus EAP Office.

Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but are not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UC Los Angeles
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz