Costa Rica for Nursing and Health Care Professions

Student Life

GETTING INVOLVED
To encourage the maximum use of newly acquired Spanish language skills, you will live with families. CRSA arranges accommodations with carefully selected host families. In general only one student is placed per family; in all cases, you will have your own room

EXPLORE COSTA RICA
Academic fieldtrips to introduce you to a few of the many faces of Costa Rica. Miramar The trips will include day visits to a variety of medical facilities, both urban and rural.

STUDENT COMMENTS
This program taught me so much about the Costa Rican health care system and the importance of primary care. I was able to learn to work with Latino patients, immersing myself completely in a new culture through clinical visits, host families, and traveling. -Erica

This is the perfect experience for nursing students. Since it is offered in the summer, a nursing major does not have to get behind in the program. The program directors are wonderful. It is a wonderful opportunity to bond with other nursing majors of all levels. -Karen.

Costa Ricans have taught me to value people more and worry about projects less. I also see that I need to learn more about the United States’ health care system if I want to be part of the solution for our country's health system programs. And I really appreciated the amount of Spanish I was able to learn and use through my classroom, family and community involvement. I am a different person now and I am grateful for it!! -Carla

You learn so much about yourself, your friends, your own cultures and most importantly a different culture. You also have the opportunity to gain great experience for your nursing career. Claire

My experience in Costa Rica has been life-changing. I have learned so much about myself, and I have grown in ways that I never knew were possible. I'm now able to communicate effectively in Spanish, and that along has changed my life forever. -Brianne

Very beneficial. I learned more spanish in 8 weeks, than I learned in 2 years of high school! -Corissa

I have learned a great deal of Spanish, since I had no previous Spanish language. The cultural experience is better than any internship that I could have worked at. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel privileged to experience the Costa Rican culture. -Jeanne

Learning to roll with the punches was essential, but that really made it something special. Everyday brought something new to learn, and another part of the culture to experience. No day was boring, whether I had a discussion with my host family or tried a new class at the gym. I am so thankful I took advantage of this great opportunity---I will never forget the memories and the friendships I made here in la Pura Vida! -Jen