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Spanish Language, Liberal Arts & Environmental Sciences
San Jose, Costa Rica
About the Program
Take a deep dive into environmental issues in a country that's renowned for its amazing biodiversity while improving your Spanish language fluency and discovering local culture. Along with environmental science courses, you'll choose from a range of liberal arts courses with a Costa Rican focus in areas such as economics, health sciences, political science, photography, and cultural studies. Designed for all levels of proficiency, you'll take one or more Spanish language courses and choose from a range of electives taught in English. Students at the advanced Spanish language level may choose to take electives taught in Spanish. An Early Start option, offered in the fall semester, helps you jump start your Spanish language skills before the semester begins, and the Winter Semester – Extended option allows you to take an additional Spanish language class at the conclusion of your regular semester..
Requirements
Overview
San Jose
8/23/25 - 12/13/25
$12,795
16 - 20
Deadlines
5/15/25
6/15/25
Requirements
Eligibility
2.6
All Levels
High School Graduate
Where You'll Study
Veritas University
Since its founding in 1976, Veritas University has become one of the most highly recognized private universities in Latin America. Not only is Veritas fully accredited by the Costa Rica Ministry o...
Veritas University
Since its founding in 1976, Veritas University has become one of the most highly recognized private universities in Latin America. Not only is Veritas fully accredited by the Costa Rica Ministry of Education, but it is also a member of the College Consortium for International Studies and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
With approximately 2,000 students, 500 of whom are international, Veritas University is located in the eastern part of the city (Zapote), ten minutes from downtown San José and only one kilometer from the Casa Presidencial. The school offers a complete range of subjects and a great variety of cultural, artistic, and athletic activities.
The university’s spacious campus is equipped with modern facilities, including several computer labs and a well-maintained library. CEA CAPA offers a practical and well-organized Spanish language program, led by a highly trained and experienced staff of university professors.
Credit Transfer Information
CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations are based on the following conversion: 15 contact hours equals 1 U.S. credit. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Students receive a transcript from Veritas University upon successful completion of the program. The transcript reflects the contact hours per course.
Accreditation
Ranked among Costa Rica’s top 10 universities, Veritas is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and is a member of the College Consortium for International Studies and NAFSA.
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
- International faculty from Veritas University teach your language and elective classes.
- Attendance in all classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor.
- Periodic exams, homework assignments and final exams will be administered.
- Teaching styles in Costa Rica may differ from those in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
- Class size ranges between 10 and 25 students and includes CEA CAPA participants and other international students.
Amenities
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Study Room
Counseling Services
University Library
Computer Lab
Printing Facilities
Student ID
Multi-Media
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Academic Advising
Tutoring
Language Learning Services
Language Exchange with Local Students
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
Free Campus Shuttle
Copy & Mail Center
On-campus ATM
Museum & Art Galleries
16-20
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
You'll enroll into 1-3 language courses and 1-3 elective courses. Language courses are organized into 4-week blocks; each semester contains 3 blocks. You will be tested at the end of each block and may move into a higher language level. Elective courses run for the entire semester.
Veritas University offers courses in English and Spanish language. English taught courses are fully in English, while the Spanish language acquisition courses are taught fully in Spanish - the methodology they use is “Spanish in Spanish”. Veritas utilizes the Competencies based learning as their Pedagogical Model for both English and Spanish courses.
Language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits; elective courses meet for 48-60 contact hours/3-4 credits. Together, you may earn 12-16 credits (up to 240 contact hours) over the semester.
Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take a language placement exam. Students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish language and consider taking SPN 101 Spanish Basic I or SSP 141 Basic Spanish for Health Professionals, may opt out of the of the language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the results of your language placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Costa Rica. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Veritas University offers courses in English and Spanish language. English taught courses are fully in English, while the Spanish language acquisition courses are taught fully in Spanish - the methodology they use is “Spanish in Spanish”. Veritas utilizes the Competencies based learning as their Pedagogical Model for both English and Spanish courses.
Language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits; elective courses meet for 48-60 contact hours/3-4 credits. Together, you may earn 12-16 credits (up to 240 contact hours) over the semester.
If you choose the Fall Semester - Early Start or Winter Semester – Extended option, you'll enroll in an additional language course that meets for 60 contact hours/4 credits. With the Early Start and Extended Semester options, you may earn 16-20 credits (up to 300 contact hours) over the semester.
Language courses meet for 3 hours in the morning, Monday-Friday. Elective courses typically meet 2-3 days per week. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take a language placement exam. Students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish language and consider taking SPN 101 Spanish Basic I or SSP 141 Basic Spanish for Health Professionals, may opt out of the of the language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the results of your language placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Costa Rica. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Beginner Level Course Structure
Available Levels
Courses
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPN 101 Basic Spanish I | 100 | Sp | 60 | 4 |
| SPN 102 Basic Spanish II | 100 | Sp | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPN 101 Basic Spanish I | 100 | Sp | 60 | 4 |
| SPN 102 Basic Spanish II | 100 | Sp | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART 2100 Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice * | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 1100 Principles of Biology | 100 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEB 3120 Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| GEB 3350 Introduction to International Business | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 3070 Creative Conflict Resolution: A Multicultural, Gender Perspective | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| COMM 3100 Communication for Development & Social Leaders | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| COMM 3200 Intercultural Communication & Competence | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETH 3100 Selected Topics in Afro-Caribbean Studies * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV 3044 Tropical Ecology | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3170 Freshwater Ecology | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON 1100 Introduction to Micro and Macroeconomics | En | 48 | 3 | |
| ECON 3403 Introduction to International Economics in Latin America & Caribbean | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| ECON 3500 Introduction to Circular Economy | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| GEB 3500 Ecotourism: The Costa Rica Case * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV 2500 Introduction to Genetics: Current Applications | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 2800 Permaculture for a Regenerative Culture | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3005 Environmental Impact and Social Development * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3100 Tropical Birds of Costa Rica * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3150 Tropical Botany: Useful Plants Workshop | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3160 Conservation Biology & Endangered Marine Species | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3190 Tropical Marine Biology * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3740 Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptations | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 4030 Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems * | 400 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 4040 Sustainable Development & Environmental Awareness * | 400 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HHD 1020 Physical Therapy & Sport Rehabilitation | 100 | En | 48 | 3 |
| HHD 1050 Holistic Health Approaches | 100 | En | 60 | 4 |
| HHD 1070 Health & Nutrition: A Sustainability Approach | 100 | En | 60 | 4 |
| HHD 3070 Conflict Resolution and Health Care * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| HIS 3293 Costa Rican Health Care System and Tropical Medicine | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS 2302 Contemporary Latin American History | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
| HIS 3130 Sustainability and Resources Management in the Ancient World * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| HIS 3290 Human Development in Latin America | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUM 2100 Introduction to Video Creation | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
| HUM 3150 Indigenous Ecology and Sustainability | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| HUM 3513 Costa Rica Colloquium: History & Culture * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEB 3000 Introduction to Project Management | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| MGMT 3020 Renewable Energy and Resource Management | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| MGMT 3030 Creative Leadership Skills * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV 3020 Marine Molecular Biology | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3200 Marine Mammals of Costa Rica: Biology and Conservation | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| ENV 3210 Ecology and Conservation of Coral Reef * | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKTG 3010 International Marketing Management | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| MKTG 3150 Sustainable Consumption and Production * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 1231 Foundations of Single-Variable Calculus | 100 | En | 48 | 3 |
| STAT 1151 Introduction to Statistical Reasoning & Data Analysis | 100 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHOT 2100 Ecological Photography | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
| PHOT 2130 Cultural Photography | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POL 2500 Human Rights in Latin America | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
| POL 3100 Costa Rican Traditions: Peace and Democracy | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| POL 3220 Migration, Globalization and Social Change | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| POL 3250 Global Systems for Human Rights Protection | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| POL 3420 Costa Rica's Environmental Policy: A History of Policy, Politics and Action. * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| POL 3450 International Relations in Latin America * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY 2200 Health Psychology | 200 | En | 48 | 3 |
| PSY 3050 Cultural Psychology | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCY 3050 LGBT: Diversity and Sexuality in Latin America * | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART 2130 Mural Painting and Public Art * | 200 | En | 60 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSD 3100 Gender and Sustainability * | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
| SUSD 3160 Systems Thinking and Sustainability | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THEO 3150 Major World Religions | 300 | En | 48 | 3 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV 3120 Land Vertebrates of Costa Rica | 300 | En | 60 | 4 |
Interested in taking your career to the next level?
Where You'll Stay
*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.
Homestay
Available:
Semester
Summer
Summer
Engage in San Jose’s pura vida culture firsthand when you live in a homestay with a local Costa Rican family. For the culture-seeking type who want to live life abroad as their host locals do, homestays enable students the opportunity to dive headfirst into Costa Rican life.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Office in San Jose: 10-20 minutes, walking
- Veritas University: 10-20 minutes, walking
Meals Included
• 2 meals per day – Breakfast & Dinner (Mon - Sun) included, except on excursion days
Roommates
- 1-3 students per room; may be up to 5 students per room, depending on enrollment
- Up to 4 students per Homestay; may be up to 8 students per Homestay, depending on enrollment
Unit Amenities
- Limited kitchen
- Shared-single sex bathroom
- Bed linens included
- Internet Access
- Telephone access available
- Washer Only
Studio Apartment
Available:
Semester
Summer
Limited availability. This option is ideal for independent students who favor having their own space and the flexibility and responsibility of apartment living. Apartments are located in a trendy neighborhood in the heart of the city, within walking distance from Veritas University/ CEA CAPA Office in San Jose. CEA CAPA manages a handful of studios, the other apartments are occupied by locals, students, and tourists. You will be by yourself in the studio; there may or may not be other CEA CAPA students as neighbors.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Office: 15-20 minutes, walking
- Veritas University: 15-20 minutes, walking
Meals Included
- N/A
Roommates
- 1 student per room
Unit Amenities
- Kitchen Available
- Bed linens and towels included
- Internet Access
- A/C
- Cleaning Service provided every 2 weeks.
- Pool
- Washing machine (washer & dryer)
Additional Fees
This housing option carries a supplemental fee which may vary based on housing inclusions (i.e. meals, amenities, etc.) as well as program length. Exact amount will be confirmed on the housing application form.
- Semester: $900 - $4,300
Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
What's Included in your Program
From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in San José. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.
- Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
- Visa & Immigration Advising
- Financial Advising
- Tuition and Registration
- Airport Pick-up
- Onsite Orientation
- City Tour
- Onsite Staff Support
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Travel Medical Insurance
- International Emergency Service Support
- Welcome & Farewell Events
- Centrally Located Housing
- Wellness Activities
- Cultural Engagement
- Language Exchanges
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Excursions
- Student Clubs & Organizations
- Host Institution Services & Amenities
- Career & Re-entry Workshop
- Official Transcript(s)
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
|
August 23
|
Arrival/Program Begins
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing. |
|
August 24
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation & Welcome Activities. |
|
August 25
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at Veritas University. |
|
September 26 - 28
|
Excursion
Included trip outside the city. Subject to changes. |
|
October 03 - 05
|
Excursion
Included trip outside the city. Subject to changes. |
|
October 11 - 12
|
Excursion
Included trip outside the city. Subject to changes. |
|
December 13
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. |
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.