Cornish - Environmental Studies, Health Care, Liberal Arts & Spanish Language
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About this Program
You will be able to enroll in both Spanish language courses and electives taught in either English or Spanish. Electives that are taught in Spanish are typically only available to students at the advanced or high advanced levels. Your courses will be taught by the faculty at the Universidad Veritas, and you will learn alongside fellow international students. Most of the electives offered are taught in English and others are taught in Spanish (for advanced level Spanish speakers). Another great advantage of this program is that its intensive language courses are four weeks long meaning students can complete an intensive Spanish language course in four weeks and then move on to a higher level Spanish class, with the possibility of moving up three language levels throughout the course of their program. Students are entitled to enroll in a total of four courses (combination of electives and four-week language courses). All classes are at the Universidad Veritas with ISA and other international students. Open to students at all levels of Spanish, this program is an excellent option for those who want to advance their Spanish proficiency while also fulfilling environmental studies, health science, or liberal arts credit.
Program Highlights
- Language(s) of Instruction:
- English
- Spanish
- Courses with Study Abroad Students
- Local University Program
- Language Intensive Program
- No Language Pre-Requisites
- Apartment
- Homestay
- Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
- Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
- Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May
Level of Immersion
Features
Housing Abroad
Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.
Housing Residence Life
Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preference as best as they can.
Housing Application
Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates
Disciplines
Courseload
Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.
Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the student's time abroad.
- Credit Range: 192-240/240-300
- Credit System: Contact Hours
- Typical Course load: 4
- Credit Per Course: 48 or 60
Credit Conversion
- Transcript Issued By: Universidad Veritas
- Credit Conversion Rate: 15 Contact Hours = 1 U.S. Semester Credit
- Quarter Range: Not specified
Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:
- Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
- For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
- Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
- Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Transfer Credits
Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.
Placeholder Course
The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.
Program Fees
Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.
- Fall Semester: $0
- Spring Semester: $0
Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate
Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.
Budget Worksheets
No valid buttons givenParticipation Costs
Payment
For SU-Sponsored programs, pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. The Program Fee is labeled as "MSA Fee" on your bill. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University’s quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual.
Seattle University handles payments to ISA on your behalf for the program cost. Additional expenses not included in Seattle University’s Program Fee, like special course fees, housing upgrades, and optional excursions, may be billed to you directly by ISA. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.
Insurance
Scholarships
There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.
Student Journey
Approximate Timeline | Phase | More details |
---|---|---|
Sept-Jan | Exploration | Students will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals. |
Feb 1 | Apply | Students will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st. |
Late Feb/Early Mar | Nominations | Education Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs. |
Mar-May (Fall) Sept-Dec (Winter) Jan-March (Spring) | Preparation | Students will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc. |
Application Steps
- Complete Module I of Global Engagement with Education Abroad Canvas course, including Education Abroad 101 and attending a Planning Meeting with your Education Advisor.
- Complete the SU-Sponsored/SU-Exchange Program Application in Module II of the Canvas course by February 1 for selected program.
If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!
Climate
- Spring (March to May): Warm and increasingly rainy, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F). The rainy season typically begins in May.
- Summer (June to August): Rainy, especially in the afternoons. Temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F), with cooler temperatures in the highlands.
- Autumn (September to November): Rainy season continues with temperatures from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F).
- Winter (December to February): Dry season with warm temperatures between 24°C and 32°C (75°F to 90°F), especially in the lowlands and coastal areas.
Travel Resources
- Air: Major airports include Juan Santamaría International Airport (San José) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia).
- Train: Train services are limited to certain urban areas, such as the greater San José metropolitan region.
- Public Transport: Costa Rica has an extensive bus network covering most of the country. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are widely available in urban areas.
Cultural Resources
- Historical Sites: Popular destinations include Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and the capital city of San José.
- Language: Spanish is the official language, with English commonly spoken in tourist areas.
- Festivals: Significant events include the Palmares Festival, Fiestas de Zapote, and Día de los Boyeros.
Food & Diet
- Cuisine: Traditional dishes include gallo pinto (rice and beans), casado (a meal with rice, beans, plantains, salad, and a choice of protein), ceviche, and tropical fruits.
- Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Many traditional dishes can be adapted to suit dietary needs.
Embassy/Consulate
- U.S. Embassy in San José: Calle 98 Vía 104, Pavas, San José (Phone: +506 2519-2000)
Identity-Specific Considerations
- Accessibility: Accessibility is improving in urban areas, but rural areas may lack accessible infrastructure. Major tourist sites are increasingly accessible to people with disabilities.
- LGBTQ+: Costa Rica is considered one of the most progressive countries in Central America regarding LGBTQ+ rights, with marriage equality legalized in 2020.
- Religion: Costa Rica is predominantly Roman Catholic, but religious freedom is respected, and there is a growing diversity of Protestant and non-religious communities.
- Race & Ethnicity: Costa Rica is ethnically diverse, with Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous populations contributing to its cultural richness, though these groups often face social and economic disparities.
- Gender: Costa Rica has made strides in gender equality with strong legal protections, though traditional gender roles and wage gaps remain challenges in some areas.
Visa Requirements
What is a Visa?
A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.
Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by ISA.
U.S. passport holders will not apply for a student visa prior to your departure to Costa Rica (Non-U.S. citizens should consult their respective consulates). However, you are required to apply for a student visa after you arrive on site. Immigration Officers at Border Control have the authority to grant or deny admission, and to decide on the duration a person may remain in the country. Individual circumstances may vary, especially if you are a non-U.S. citizen. ISA will offer additional information and guidance before departure and on-site; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in ISA’s nor Seattle University's control. Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.