THE PROGRAM
Spend a summer in Costa Rica while learning about health care and the Spanish language! Today, one of the keys to effective health care is providing personalized care for each individual.  Given the demographics in our region and nationwide, you will provide care to a patient pool that grows more multicultural each year. 

The growing number of Spanish speakers in the United States has increased the need for health care professionals who can speak Spanish and who have an understanding of Latin American culture. Therefore, cross-cultural experience is a must for today's health care students. This program will help you gain the necessary language and cultural skills to communicate and with Spanish-speaking patients.

THE LOCATION
In this program you will be living in Miramar (population 10,000), where you will see firsthand how primary health care is delivered in a rural setting. You will also spend 4 to 5 days in San José (population of 1 million), the capital city, giving you the opportunity to learn about health care at various types and sizes of health facilities.

ACADEMICS
To learn about eligibility requirements, academic offerings, and the academic calendar; click here: Academics - Costa Rica Nursing

HOUSING & MEALS
During the program you will be living with a host family, which offers an excellent opportunity for you to learn about family life in Costa Rica , meet locals, and practice your Spanish on a daily basis! 

Accommodations are arranged with carefully selected host families. In general only one student is placed per family; in all cases, you will have your own room.  Your host family will provide you three meals a day.

Past participants report that the informal learning with their family was as important as their classwork to their academic experience. In the words of a past student, "I was so glad to live with a host family rather than in a hotel or dorm. It was a great cultural experience."

COST
Below you will find more information on program costs: Summer 2013

PHOTO GALLERY
Want to see pictures? Click here!

STUDENT LIFE
"I made friends in Miramar that I feel I will keep in contact with for the rest of my life. This program enriched my understanding of other countries, their health care system, and overall made me realize that there is so much more in the world than what we experience in our every day lives.-" Laura

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

STUDENT EXPERIENCE
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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For more information click here

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, read the application instructions on the How to Apply Page. Then return to this program brochure page, and click the 'apply now' button at the top of the page.