San José

San José is Costa Rica’s capital and largest city, with a population of 340,000 people, of a country widely considered to be the most progressive and welcoming in Central America. As the economic heart of Costa Rica, it sees around 1 million people pass through the city and is the 6th most popular tourist destination in Latin America, showing evidence of how important this city is to not only the country but the region as well. 

As a former colony of Spain, San José was founded in 1737, and has been influenced heavily by the Spanish, most notably in the language. However, after Costa Rica became an independent state in 1821, San José was made the capital and became a hub of prosperity, attracting workers from all around the region, especially those in the coffee trade.

Today, San José is a large city composed of barrios (neighborhoods), each of which offer something uniquely beautiful to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Spend time soaking up the culture in the downtown or the afternoon walking around Barrio Amon, the neighborhood made famous for its colorful, vine-covered buildings and little cafés. You could follow this by spending the night dining at some of the best restaurants in the country in the lively Barrio Escalante or visit the cinemas such as Cine Magaly in the Barrio La California. There really are endless possibilities in San José.

Costa Rica’s climate is generally categorized on a wet-dry season basis. The daily temperature generally stays between 65 F and 85 F all year round, with precipitation varying greatly by the time of year. The rainy season, which is considered to take place between May and November, generally sees about a 30% chance of rain on any given day, whereas in the dry season (December to April) it’s much less at around a 9% chance per day.

San José is ideally located for a wide variety of activities suited for the many young people who visit and live there. Fútbol (soccer) is the country’s most popular sport, and San José is home to three professional soccer teams. In addition, activities such as hiking and cycling are also hugely popular and are very accessible throughout the city.

Semester programs include 2 overnight excursions. Summer programs include 1 overnight excursion. Destinations may vary by term. Past terms have included trips to:

• Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna - Tour a local sustainable farm, relax in the area's hot springs, and take part in activities such as hiking in the rainforest.
• Manuel Antonio National Park - Contains 3 beautiful beaches, casual forest trails, and a dense rainforest with three-toed sloths, endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys, and hundreds of bird species.

Universidad Veritas - San José, Costa Rica
Summer/Semester/Academic Year

• At least 18 years of age
• Minimum GPA 2.6 (Students with GPA between 2.0-2.59  may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA of 1.99 or lower will not be considered.)
• Passport. Your passport must be current and valid for 6 months past your program end date. An application can be submitted without a valid passport if you have applied for an expedited passport
• Language requirement: None. Open to any Spanish level
• Transcript from your college or university (unofficial is ok)
• Completed ASA Application
• For Application Deadlines, please click the Cost & Dates tab

• ROOM & BOARD: Costa Rican homestay with daily breakfast and dinner and 1 load of laundry per week included.

• TUITION at Universidad Veritas for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee.

• ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.

• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Final transcript is issued by the Universidad Veritas. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.

• BOOKS, MATERIALS, LAB FEES.
  
  

• EXCURSIONS: Semester and quarter programs include 2 overnight excursions. Summer programs include 1 overnight excursion. Locations to be decided.

• INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.

• AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from San José (SJO) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time.

• SITE DIRECTOR: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.

• MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.

• VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to “Student Visa Information” to find out if a visa is required for your program.

• PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION

• SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP

• SUBSCRIPTION TO CISI Remote Behavioral and Mental Health Services: telephonic consultations between you and a U.S. mental health professional for the purposes of delivering counseling services, crisis intervention, assessment and follow up.

NOT INCLUDED

• Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program location

• Local transportation

• Personal expenses

• Lunch on weekdays

• Visa (if required), Airport Departure Tax

• Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time

• Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program

For students enrolling in more than one session, housing and other ASA services and benefits are not provided during the break between sessions.

If you need a budget or Costs of Attendance click here.