Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica

A small, democratic country in Central America nestled between the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is exceptional in that many environments can be visited within a short time. Rain forests, cloud forests, unspoiled beaches, coral reefs, white water rivers, and volcanoes can be reached within a couple of hours by car from San José. Costa Rica has the highest standard of living of the Central American countries.

San José is the capital of Costa Rica. At 4000 feet above sea level, it boasts a springtime climate all year round. The city surprises visitors with its vitality and the unmatched friendliness and warmth of its residents. Students have easy access to the city's museums, restaurants, bustling markets, and the National Theater. The surrounding areas, including beaches on both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts, are all within a few hours' drive from the city.

​Universidad Veritas - Semester and Summer Programs

Universidad Veritas, is a private Art, Design and Architecture University, located in San Jose, Costa Rica. The university enrolls approximately 1100 students year-round, specializing in Advertising, Architecture, Digital Animation, Film and Television, Interior Design, and Photography. The campus is located in a residential section of town only minutes away from downtown and the city's museums and restaurants. Faculty from Universidad Veritas hold advanced US or Costa Rican degrees and a great number of years of teaching in their respective fields.

Centro de Programas Internacionales (CIP) is part of the university and offers students from around the world the opportunity to advance their Spanish language skills while taking other English-taught courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Biology & Environmental Science, Business & Economics, Communications, Marketing & Technology, History, Politics & International Relations, Sustainable Studies, Theological Studies, and Wellness & Psychology.

During the Fall or Spring semesters students can choose between a 12 or a 17-week session. 12-week sessions include tuition costs for four (4) courses. 17-week sessions include tuition costs for five (5) courses.

This program is open to students of all programs of study. To participate, students must be at least 18 years of age with a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher.

Centro de Programas Internacionales (CIP) at Veritas University offers students from around the world the opportunity to advance their Spanish language skills. Language courses are offered at all levels.

Veritas also offers English-taught courses in the following areas: Arts & Humanities, Biology & Environmental Science, Business & Economics, Communications, Marketing & Technology, History, Politics & International Relations, Sustainable Studies, Theological Studies, and Wellness & Psychology.

Tuition Note: 12-week programs include tuition costs for four (4) courses. 17-week programs include tuition costs for five (5) courses. Students can add an extra course for an additional fee payable to Veritas University directly.

Students may browse course areas and descriptions on the Veritas Academic page.

Students are placed with host families in a Costa Rican homestay in San José, usually one student per family. Students are given private rooms, access to laundry service, and breakfast and dinner for the duration of the program.

All families live within walking distance (less than 1.5 kilometers) from campus. Veritas also provides a shuttle for students taking evening classes or participating in extracurricular activities.

Summer 2025

Session I: May 26 - June 27, 2025
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025
Session II: July 7 - August 8, 2025
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025

Fall 2025

Session I (12 weeks): September 22 - December 12, 2025
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Session II (16 weeks): August 25 - December 12, 2023
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025

4-week programs in Intensive Spanish happen each month throughout the year: Contact the program sponsor for exact dates.

Summer 2025

Program cost (5 weeks/2 courses): $5,120*

Fall 2025

Program costs can vary depending on the length of the program selected.

Session I (12 weeks/4 courses): $9,643*
Session II (16 weeks/5 courses): $11,595*

Costs Include: Veritas tuition (semester = 4 courses for the session I and 5 courses for session II summer = 1 language course and 1 elective course), host family housing with meals, excursions, textbooks and materials, airport pick up and drop off, lunch tickets (pack of 10), and CISI health and travel insurance.

Additional costs to consider that are NOT included in the program costs are flight and personal expenses.

* Note: All CCIS ICS-Broward College Study Abroad Programs have a non-refundable program deposit of $300 due three weeks after official acceptance. The deposit is applied toward the total cost of the program. All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notice.

The Veritas Costa Rica Semester program is eligible for the William E. Greene Study Abroad Scholarship (PDF). This scholarship is available for Broward College degree-seeking students.

Additional scholarships are available to students through external organizations. Please review our Scholarships and Funding page for more information

Applicants who are not degree-seeking students at Broward College should inquire with the international programs office at their home institution regarding scholarships available to them.

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