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USAC Costa Rica: Heredia - Latin American Studies & Ecology
The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an ideal path if you are committed to learning about diverse Latin American cultures and the Spanish language. For a semester or full year, your language proficiency and insight into Costa Rican society will greatly improve through formal coursework and interaction with locals. This program places emphasis on diverse academic areas: L...
The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an ideal path if you are committed to learning about diverse Latin American cultures and the Spanish language. For a semester or full year, your language proficiency and insight into Costa Rican society will greatly improve through formal coursework and interaction with locals. This program places emphasis on diverse academic areas: Latin American Studies, Ecological Studies, and Spanish Language. The latter follows an intensive approach, which involves completing up to two years of university foreign language coursework within a semester. Upon completion, you will meet Spanish minor or major requirements. You will complement the Spanish Language curriculum with courses in Biology, History, Literature, Economics, Political Sci...
Program Highlights
Explore the cultural, historic, and urban highlights of the capital city, San José; visit the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean, and Bocas del Toro, Panama; and participate in a field study to Cuba.
Join clubs, organizations, and volunteer activities within the university community, all of which will help you practice your Spanish by spending time with Costa Rican students.
Enrich your cross-cultural experience through internships, field studies, and volunteer opportunities in the local community.
Participate in your host university’s organizations and clubs.
Practice your Spanish through constant interaction with locals, including the students in your host university.
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Quick Details
- Heredia, Costa Rica
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Academic Year
- Anthropology
- Art & Fine Arts
- Art History See more
- All Nationalities
Awards
Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Not enough immersion
September 13, 2025by: Nicole Klosterman - United StatesProgram: USAC Costa Rica: Heredia - Latin American Studies & EcologyIf you are someone who has never been outside the program or doesn’t speak Spanish, this program would probably be great for you. However, if you want full immersion you will not receive that through USAC. They don’t tell you that your classes will have zero locals which means you have to go out of your way to make local friends.
La Fortuna
September 01, 2025by: Jamie Harmon - United StatesProgram: USAC Costa Rica: Heredia - Latin American Studies & EcologyMy time in Costa Rica was definitely hard but one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences I have ever had the pleasure of taking part in. Not only did my fear of being a solo traveller dissipate, I now strive to travel anywhere an everywhere whether it be with friends, solo, or with new people I meet along the way. Without my solo trip to La Fortuna, I would not have learned so much about myself and I certainly would not have met some of my best friends to this day. Thank you Costa Rica for opening my heart, mind, and soul to a new way of living and looking at the world around me.
Such a great experience
September 01, 2025by: Ella Wilson - United StatesProgram: USAC Costa Rica: Heredia - Latin American Studies & EcologyI had such a great time in this culture immersion. All of my professors were great and truly passionate about what they were teaching. My living situation was amazing being able to live with a host family. I had home cooked meals every night that were super tasty. My just family was awesome and we got really close. I was able to travel to new places every weekend and discover a lot of the country as well as some of Panama too. I made good friends in my program and had fun with them. I would chose Costa Rica every time.
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Heredia, Costa Rica
Types and Subjects
- Subjects & Courses
- Anthropology
- Art & Fine Arts
- Art History
Availability
Years Offered: 2025, 2026
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
Age Requirement
Age Requirement Varies
Guidelines
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Solo, Group
Cost per week
Program Cost Includes
- Tuition & Fees
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- Some Program Activity Costs
- Medical / Accident Insurance
Accommodation Options
- Apartment/Flat
- Home-stays
Qualifications & Experience
- English
Language Skills Required
- University Sophomore (2nd Year)
- University Junior (3rd Year)
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Transcript
- Online Application
- Essay
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Sarah Merrifield
Participated in 2017
Sarah Merrifield is an animal rights activist from Sterling Heights, Michigan who works doing outreach with PETA, and also as a yoga instructor at Cen...
Sarah Merrifield
Participated in 2017
My love for the Spanish language, desire to connect with other cultures, and passion for travel.
Ready to Learn More?
The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an ideal path if you are committed to learning about diverse Latin American cultures and the Spanish language. For a semester or full year, your language proficiency and insight into Costa Rican society will greatly improve through formal coursework and interaction with locals. This program places emphasis on diverse academic areas: Latin American Studies, Ecological Studies, and Spanish Language. The latter follows an intensive approach, which involves completing up to two years of university foreign language coursework within a semester. Upon completion, you will meet Spanish minor or major requirements. You will complement the Spanish Language curriculum with courses in Biology, History, Literature, Economics, Political Sci...
University Studies Abroad Consortium
University Studies Abroad Consortium
Ready to Learn More?
The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an ideal path if you are committed to learning about diverse Latin American cultures and the Spanish language. For a semester or full year, your language proficiency and insight into Costa Rican society will greatly improve through formal coursework and interaction with locals. This program places emphasis on diverse academic areas: Latin American Studies, Ecological Studies, and Spanish Language. The latter follows an intensive approach, which involves completing up to two years of university foreign language coursework within a semester. Upon completion, you will meet Spanish minor or major requirements. You will complement the Spanish Language curriculum with courses in Biology, History, Literature, Economics, Political Sci...
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