Summer in Costa Rica - Spanish for Health Professionals

Advance your health care career with Spanish fluency

Spanish for Health Professionals in Costa Rica is ideal for students in the health sciences looking to expand their career options. Universidad Veritas offers health courses taught in English and a Spanish-language course focused on health-related vocabulary so you can learn to interact with Spanish-speaking patients. In your free time, explore nearby volcanoes, go zip-lining in the rain forest, and get to know Costa Rican culture while sipping some of the best coffee in the world! Put your Spanish to practical use and immerse in the culture by living with a local family and exploring the markets, restaurants, and salsa clubs of San José.

What to Expect

Language(s):

English

Average Courseload:

2 Courses (7-8 U.S. Credits) Per Session

GPA Requirement:

2.50

Visa Requirement:

NONE Required!

Highlights:

Study at a highly ranked private university in Costa Rica

Multiple healthcare-focused courses taught in English are available

Cooking classes, dance classes, and sports events that help you bond with your classmates

Spanish-immersion courses at all levels with no prerequisites

Practice your Spanish outside the classroom by living with a local family and talking with Ticos as you live in San José

I loved that the program didn't require Spanish language experience! Though that did make communication with my host family (who were amazing but didn’t speak English) a little challenging. I'd recommend learning a few phrases before you go!

Emily Ludwig

Daemen College

Summer in Costa Rica - Spanish for Health Professionals

I LOVED my time in Costa Rica. I truly enjoyed every moment. The CIS Abroad staff was so helpful and always just a text away whenever I needed them. My host family was kind and provided everything I needed and more. I enjoyed my classes and the student culture at the university and felt as my education was truly enhanced by my time. I cannot recommend this trip enough to students who are looking to expand their Spanish language abilities as well as immerse themselves in the beautiful Tico culture!!!

Talia Simons

Grand Valley State University

Summer in Costa Rica - Spanish for Health Professionals

I was offered support in everything I did , whether it be going on a weekend excursion or finding new fun places to eat. My time in this country has changed my life for the better. I can leave here confident in my independence and with a little bit of Spanish to boot!

Alexis Ricketts

University of North Carolina - Charlotte

Summer in Costa Rica - Spanish for Health Professionals

Program Details

Universidad Veritas

Located minutes from the heart of San José, Universidad Veritas is considered one of the best private universities in all of Central America. Students flock to the Universidad Veritas for its art, design, and architecture programs, but the university offers so much more.

You can take courses in a range of topics, such as Costa Rican culture, environmental studies, or political science. Study in English or Spanish depending on your needs. If you're looking to improve your Spanish language skills, Veritas' Spanish language program is for you. Enjoy small class sizes that give you one-on-one attention, whether you're a beginner or an advanced Spanish speaker.

Veritas offers many cultural, artistic, and athletic activities so you can dive deep into the local culture. You can improve your Spanish outside of the classroom with the friendly Costa Rican locals. You can join on-campus activities, such as dance or cooking classes and intramural sports. With 1,500 Costa Rican students and over 500 students from around the world, you'll benefit from a close-knit but cosmopolitan campus. Expand your understanding of Costa Rican culture through local excursions or volunteer opportunities.

Founded in 1976, Veritas is the first private university in Costa Rica.

Accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and authorized by the National Council of Private Higher Education (Consejo Nacional de Ense plus or minus anza Superior Privada, or CONESUP)

Course Information

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Course listings are for exploratory purposes, final course availability is determined during the enrollment process.

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Life in San José

San José is the bustling capital of Costa Rica and the place to learn about the country’s fascinating culture. Food, art, and people flow in from all directions. Likewise, you can use the capital as your launching point to discover the rest of this friendly country. Beautiful national parks, picturesque mountain villages, and relaxed beach towns are nearby and easily accessible. Spend your weekends exploring volcanoes, zip-lining through the jungle, or visiting a sloth sanctuary.

As a CIS Abroad student in San José, you'll get to know local Costa Ricans (aka Ticos), who have a friendly, laid-back demeanor. Being minutes from the heart of the Costa Rican capital, you can explore the city with ease. Then, spend the evening with new friends in the Plaza Francia, in the beautiful Barrio Escalante.

Chepe, as the city is known locally, is famed for its National Theater, busy market life, and easy-to-use public transportation. There are plenty of international restaurants, ranging from Lebanese to Italian, in addition to local sodas, where you can eat large helpings of gallo pinto, the delicious national dish. Visitors and residents adore the street food in San José or grabbing a cheap and cheerful meal at Mercado Central. After class, you can head to one of the many local theaters, concert venues, cinemas, or salsa clubs. Then, spend the evening with new friends in the Plaza de la Cultura watching the pigeons and a marimba band. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Live the Local Life

National Theater

Enjoy the tour and learn all about the history and architecture of this gem of San Jose!

Coffee, coffee, coffee!

Try some of the world's best coffee in one of the many coffee shops around town, or take the Coffee Tour, where you'll learn about the history of Costa Rica and coffee production in the country.

La Feria Verde de Aranjuez

Every Saturday La Feria Verde takes place in the neighborhood of Aranjuez. Enjoy delicious food, coffee and crafts made by local artists, and meet some of the many Ticos that enjoy breakfast at the fair.

Volunteering

Take part in a volunteer project and give back to the community. Visit Escuela La Joya and share some time with the local students, help with projects, or work in the vegetable garden.

Costa Rica - Homestay

Overview

You’ll really immerse yourself with a homestay! Our experienced homestay families are fully vetted to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for you. Most of the host families (95 percent) offer single rooms and are located within walking distance of the university, although students can also use public transportation. Students typically say that living with a local family was their favorite part of traveling abroad.

Meals

You’ll need to buy your own lunch (it's super easy to get it on campus), but your host family will cook you both breakfast and dinner. What better way to experience true Tico cooking!?

Inclusions and Amenities

24-Hour Security Commute - Walking Desk Laundry Laundry - Onsite Meal Plan - Included Private Room Study Areas Television Wi-Fi

What's Included

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

Full-time tuition and fees
Homestay
Breakfast and dinner
Medical and accident insurance
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
Academic advising
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
Predeparture orientation
Airport pickup
Universidad Veritas orientation
On-site support
On-campus internet access
Weekly laundry
One day and one weekend excursion
Universidad Veritas official transcript
The Local Life cultural program
CIS Abroad Micro-credential

Welcome & Orientation

On your first day in Costa Rica, you'll have a chance to walk and get to know your new city. See important landmarks in downtown San Jose, such as the National Theater and Gold Museum, and enjoy the welcome lunch where you'll try some local goodies! During orientation you'll learn all about excursions, your home stay, and what to expect of your time in Costa Rica.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Though you’re not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. We’ll walk you through some of the things to expect, rehash your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights and, yep, we’ll feed you again as part of our farewell to Costa Rica.

Program Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Monteverde Cloud Forest and Zipline Tour

The mountainous area of Monteverde is dense with tropical rainforest. At an altitude of over 1,000 ...

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Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall

We will drive through the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica and stop in Sarchi, home of the ...

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Irazu Volcano and Cartago

Take a drive above the clouds and look into the crater of the tallest volcano in Costa Rica. The ...

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Doka Coffee Tour and La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Enjoy a tour and plenty of tastes of a top Costa Rican coffee, Doka. We'll also visit the private ...

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Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park

This overnight excursion does not disappoint! We'll hike around Costa Rica's most popular ...

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Site Directors

Lisa Pinheiro

International Operations Assistant Director

Lisa was born in Costa Rica and has lived in the United States on several occasions. She is an alumni of Veritas University, where she majored in photography, and is currently exploring jewelry design. She is passionate about travel, and has had 10 years of experience leading study abroad groups all throughout Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. In her free time Lisa enjoys going to art exhibits, watching movies, dancing and learning new languages. She speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese, and is currently learning French.

Travel Tip! Don't limit yourself to the more popular tourist spots. There are tons of lesser known places that are beautiful and rich in culture where you can really experience what Costa Rica is all about!

Elena Pérez

Assistant Site Director - Costa Rica

I grew up in Costa Rica with my parents who instilled a love for travel, taking me on adventures since I was 2. I attended an international high school where I had the chance to explore different cultures and lead various initiatives, including student council and school spirit activities. In 2020, I moved to the U.S. to attend Clark University in Massachusetts, where I majored in economics and minored in entrepreneurship. During my time there, I took on leadership roles, studied abroad in France and Luxembourg, and organized events that pushed me out of my comfort zone. My passion for travel and education made working in international education a natural fit, as I love helping students create meaningful global experiences. Outside of work, I’m known for my bright smile, love for the color yellow, and my energetic, positive outlook on life. I truly believe in living life to the fullest!

Travel Tip! Be open-minded and immerse yourself in local culture—talk to people, try new foods, and embrace traditions. Travel light, explore on foot, and avoid over-researching. Learn a few phrases in the local language; it goes a long way. Capture moments with you in the pictures—your memories will be priceless.

Your Support Staff

Amanda Murphy

Program Enrollment Manager - Costa Rica & Thailand

I have a BA in Communications and English from Florida State University and recently got my master's in International Studies at NC State University. Since I was a child, I've always had a passion for traveling and getting to know different cultures. Studying abroad as an undergrad in Valencia, Spain ignited that passion and put me on the path to a career in international education. After college, I moved to Costa Rica (my mother's home country - pura vida!) to become an ESL teacher and connect with my roots. I absolutely loved teaching and went on to teach in Spain and Australia, and visited more than 20 countries along the way. When I returned to the states, I knew for sure that international education was the field for me so I focused my master's program on all things study abroad. I've been on such an incredible journey around the world and I want to help students do the same in their own way. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina with my partner and our 27 house plants.

Travel Tip! Don't overplan. Have a place to stay, pick a few major things you want to do, and then just get lost in the beauty of it all. If you plan too many activities, you miss out on stumbling into the most wonderful things that you'll never forget.

Marina Weinstein

International Operations Director - UK, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Costa Rica

I am an Actress, a Health Coach, a Yoga & Ayurveda teacher, and a Bachelor of Communication Sciences. Additionally, I have extensive experience in the field of international education. I played a key role in launching the study and internship programs in Buenos Aires, where I served as a Site Director for nearly 10 years. During my tenure, I supervised the LATAM region as a Site Director's Manager, and had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica. In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, I transitioned to the Marketing & Communications department, where I have been actively contributing. Currently, I am also involved in overseeing the Spain and Costa Rica programs as part of my role in the International Operations Management team.

Travel Tip! Walk, walk, walk, whenever you can! And take your time. You might find the most special surprises on your way to destination.

Kaylee Klinger

Advising & Alumni Relations Manager

Received a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Business Administration from Ohio University. It was there where I discovered CIS Abroad and got the opportunity to study abroad twice; in Paris, France and Stirling Scotland as well as become an Alumni Ambassador. It was during my time in the Scottish Highlands where I discovered my passion for travel. On top of studying in Paris and Stirling, I've been blessed to have traveled to Australia, Canada, Ireland, England and Italy as well! I have a passion for hiking and visiting all of the National Parks in the United States. Also enjoy spending time with my cat, Mumford.

Travel Tip! The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!

Serenah Quiroga

Advising & Communications Coordinator

I am the daughter of an Argentinean immigrant so all of my dad's family still lives in Argentina. I grew up in South Dakota but attended high school and undergrad in the northern Chicago suburbs. I graduated in 2023 from Lake Forest College with a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. I balanced life as a women's soccer student-athlete, dance team captain, president of the Neuroscience club and working as a medical assistant and babysitter. I studied abroad in Sorrento, Italy and traveled all throughout Europe during my time there. I also frequent Argentina to visit family but my dream destinations are Tokyo, Spain, Seychelles and sooo many more! I feel inspired to work in international education because I want to share the impact that international travels have had on my life and help provide resources for others to travel and gain a world perspective. Outside of work, I love going to concerts, dancing, reading and meeting new people. I am an empathetic and social butterfly that has a lot of compassion for others. At the same time, I value my 'me-time' and am extremely determined to be the best version of myself.

Travel Tip! Always find a reason to talk to a local or someone you may not know. Whether it's a simple hello, compliment, or question, there is always something to learn from every person you meet. Some of my best experiences and favorite memories were formed because of these interactions.

Dates & Prices

Additional Information:

Program Deposit

There is a non-refundable program deposit for all CIS Abroad programs. Paying the deposit secures your spot on the program! The deposit deadline and amount can be seen above in the Dates & Prices section.

As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.

CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.

ADVISOR TIP:

Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.

Summer in Costa Rica - Spanish for Health Professionals

Advance your health care career with Spanish fluency

What to Expect

Highlights:

Learn More About This and Other Programs

Program Details

Universidad Veritas

Course Information

Life in San José

Live the Local Life

National Theater

Coffee, coffee, coffee!

La Feria Verde de Aranjuez

Volunteering

Costa Rica - Homestay

Overview

Meals

Inclusions and Amenities

What's Included

Inclusions

Welcome & Orientation

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Dates & Prices

ADVISOR TIP:

Summer in Costa Rica -
Spanish for Health Professionals