Location:

San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

AFS (formerly the American Field Service) is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in more than 40 countries around the world. We've been exchanging students throughout the world for 60 years. That is six decades of history and experience in international education with an exemplary record of safety, security, and service to students, parents, and educators.

AFS Mission: AFS-USA works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership.

AFS offers year, semester, and summer programs to destinations throughout Costa Rica. AFS is currently offering hundreds of scholarships for students flexible with their country choice and ready for an adventure.

Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations for AFS-USA Exchange Students, and with good reason. The country is home to proud, friendly, and peaceful citizens known as ticos (men) and ticas (women). They are usually conservative but they enjoy sharing their life and social activities with new people... Costa Rica offers many different types of extra curricular activities. Although, within high schools sports are more common activity to find and music and arts and different clubs are more common outside of school. Costa Rica's grading system is slightly different compared to a typical letter grading system here in the U.S. take a look below and see how students over there are graded. Outstanding: 95-100 Good: 90-94 Average: 80-89 Poor:70-79 Failing: 69 and below

Colleges recommend high school study abroad experiences - as these programs provide the opportunity to develop confidence and self-reliance before pursuing higher education. In addition, after exploring the world you may have a clearer vision of what you'd like to study in college. As a result, you may spend less time switching majors, which means you'll save time and money. An exchange program also boosts college applications and gives you an immediate advantage when applying for scholarships.

Plus, the language skills you develop on an AFS program might exempt you from required language courses, thus enabling you to finish college sooner. Some students have received as much as 18 hours language credit-almost enough to provide a minor in language and a huge financial savings when you figure the cost of credits.

Setting Description:

This lush country-Costa Rica means "the rich coast" in Spanish-is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and has 755 miles of coastline. More than 30 percent of the country, including its famous rainforests, is set aside as national parkland or protected areas. Costa Rica has more than 500 bird species and 8,000 plant species, majestic volcanoes, countless rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful beaches you'll ever see. It also combines rural towns, forests, farmlands, and small cities to create a relaxed yet exciting ambiance. Costa Rica spends heavily on healthcare and education, enabling Costa Ricans to enjoy an unparalleled quality of life in Latin America.