Summer Spanish Language and Culture in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Waterfall 1
What's Included

We invite you to spend your summer with API in charming San Joaquín de Flores, Costa Rica! This immersive program focuses on intensive Spanish language and Latin American culture for students at the intermediate level of Spanish and higher. Courses are held on the serene and tropical campus of the Instituto San Joaquín de Flores.

Enhance your language skills, earn valuable academic credit, experience the warm and friendly hospitality of the Costa Rican people, and explore all this beautiful country has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

API Center

On-Site Orientation

Excursions

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Resident Directors

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.7 G.P.A.
  • Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Open to intermediate, advanced, and superior-level Spanish speakers
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • Entry requirement: valid passport with supporting documents
  • Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact API prior to applying for more specific information about entry requirements.
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer 1 and 2 Combined May, 2024 - Aug, 2024 $12,500 Apr 27, 2024 No Extension May 11, 2024
Summer 1 May, 2024 - Jun, 2024 $6,900 Apr 27, 2024 No Extension May 11, 2024
Summer 2 Jun, 2024 - Aug, 2024 $7,500 Apr 27, 2024 No Extension May 27, 2024
Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API San Joaquín de Flores programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Blue River, Guanacaste

    Located on the north side of Rincón de la Vieja, students will enjoy its lush rainforest and waterfalls. The visit will also include opportunities to indulge in a spa treatment, visit the butterfly gardens, take a natural mud bath and sauna, exercise in the gym and much more. The group will then set off into the nearby rain forest jungle on eco-adventure tours.

  • Cartago

    Cartago was Costa Rica’s first capital until 1823 and is home to Costa Rica’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Angels “Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles” or “La Negrita.” Students visit the most important sites in the city, as well as the Orosi Valley, founded by the Franciscan monks in 1561. It is home to the country’s oldest church still in continuous use, built in 1735.

  • Monteverde

    Monteverde is the most famous cloud forest of Costa Rica. Located on the mountains in front of the Nicoya gulf, this area receives all the moisture from the ocean winds, creating truly unique weather. Under these conditions, nature is exuberant. Students will have the opportunity to hike on one of the natural reserves on the area and spot birds, like the quetzal; mammals, reptiles, frogs, and a very rare type of forest that is located on the continental division.

  • Volcán Arenal & Fortuna

    Arenal Volcano National Park is located in central Costa Rica. The park is surrounded by rainforests and cloud forests with waterfalls and hot springs (heated by the volcano) nearby.

  • Blue River, Guanacaste

    Located on the north side of Rincón de la Vieja, students will enjoy its lush rainforest and waterfalls. The visit will also include opportunities to indulge in a spa treatment, visit the butterfly gardens, take a natural mud bath and sauna, exercise in the gym and much more. The group will then set off into the nearby rain forest jungle on eco-adventure tours.

  • Cartago

    Cartago was Costa Rica’s first capital until 1823 and is home to Costa Rica’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Angels “Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles” or “La Negrita.” Students visit the most important sites in the city, as well as the Orosi Valley, founded by the Franciscan monks in 1561. It is home to the country’s oldest church still in continuous use, built in 1735.

  • Monteverde

    Monteverde is the most famous cloud forest of Costa Rica. Located on the mountains in front of the Nicoya gulf, this area receives all the moisture from the ocean winds, creating truly unique weather. Under these conditions, nature is exuberant. Students will have the opportunity to hike on one of the natural reserves on the area and spot birds, like the quetzal; mammals, reptiles, frogs, and a very rare type of forest that is located on the continental division.

  • Blue River, Guanacaste

    Located on the north side of Rincón de la Vieja, students will enjoy its lush rainforest and waterfalls. The visit will also include opportunities to indulge in a spa treatment, visit the butterfly gardens, take a natural mud bath and sauna, exercise in the gym and much more. The group will then set off into the nearby rain forest jungle on eco-adventure tours.

  • Cartago

    Cartago was Costa Rica’s first capital until 1823 and is home to Costa Rica’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Angels “Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles” or “La Negrita.” Students visit the most important sites in the city, as well as the Orosi Valley, founded by the Franciscan monks in 1561. It is home to the country’s oldest church still in continuous use, built in 1735.

  • Volcán Arenal & Fortuna

    Arenal Volcano National Park is located in central Costa Rica. The park is surrounded by rainforests and cloud forests with waterfalls and hot springs (heated by the volcano) nearby.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 6 U.S. semester credits per session (up to 12 total)

This summer study abroad program at the Instituto San Joaquín de Flores focuses on intensive language and culture for students at the intermediate level of Spanish and higher. Students complete up to two classes for a total of 6 semester credits per session. Each student will complete a placement exam administered upon arrival by the Instituto San Joaquín de Flores.

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive a transcript from the U.S. accredited University of Massachusetts, Amherst upon completion of the program.

  • Headshot

    Kayla Cole

    Kayla Cole will be your Program Manager and will help prepare you for your API program.

    (she/her/hers)

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    Francy Orozco

    Francy Orozco will be your Resident Director in San Jose and a resource for you on-site.
    (she/her/hers)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

Students complete two courses during each summer term. It is important to note that not all courses at the advanced level are offered during each summer session. All courses are subject to minimum enrollment requirements. Students are notified of their course placements prior to departure.

CREDIT INFORMATION

The Instituto San Joaquín de Flores operates on the contact hour system; the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor. To determine the conversion of Costa Rican contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours per course by 15. Almost all courses at the Instituto are the equivalent of 3 U.S. semester credits.

Courses at Instituto San Joaquín de Flores (Summer Spanish Language and Culture)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Instituto San Joaquín de Flores (Summer Spanish Language and Culture)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Instituto San Joaquín de Flores (Summer Spanish Language and Culture)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Highlights
  • All classes taught in Spanish
  • Community service opportunities
  • Transcript from U.S. accredited institution (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
Housing

Students in San Joaquín de Flores live with local host families. Host families serve as a unique introduction into Costa Rican culture and may be made up of a married couple with children, a divorced or widowed woman with children still at home, or a family with some members living at home and others living outside of the city during the work week. As API places one student per family, all students have a private bedroom. Students are provided with 2-3 meals per day, as well as laundry service once per week.

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