If you have questions about this program, email the program leader listed below.

Medical Device Manufacturing in Costa Rica

Program Details

The arrangements for the travel, housing, meals, excursions and course content of this program have been made by the leader. Questions about this program can only be answered by the program leader listed below.
Program Type Departmental
Program Location San Jose, Costa Rica
Course # SA 10517 or
SA 59000
Duration Spring Break
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring Break 2026 03/14/26 to 03/22/26

Program Leader

Name Aaron Lottes
Email lottes@purdue.edu
Click here to enroll in this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Program Description

Join Professors Aaron Lottes and Andrew Brightman in beautiful Costa Rica!  In 2017, medical devices surpassed agricultural products to become Costa Rica’s leading export. Despite its small size, Costa Rica is a key country for global medical device manufacturing, with over 70 companies manufacturing healthcare products, including world leaders such as Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Hologic, Allergan, Baxter, Phillips, Cooper Medical, Freudenberg Medical, Terumo, and Bayer. Manufacturers are located within 'Free Zones' near San Jose, allowing for efficient travel and use of time during this Spring Break program. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) will also host students with guest lectures.  

**Open to BME students and any engineering major, and FYE.  Also open to related majors but non-BME students need to submit a 500-word essay on why they want to participate in this program.  

Proposed itinerary:  (subject to change due to availability) 

May 13- Students depart for San José Costa Rica (Students will purchase their own flights so they can leave campus when they are done with academic responsibilities) 

May 14- Arrive in San Jose, airport pick-up included, transfer to hotel, orientation with on-site guide, Welcome lunch and short tour (if time allows) 

May 15-Doka Coffee Tour and Poás Volcano Visit, free evening 

May 16-All day visit to Tec (Instituto Technologico de Costa Rica), free evening 

May 17-Company visit in the La Lima Free Zone, lunch, 2nd company visit, free evening 

May 18-Company visit in the Coyol Free Zone, lunch, 2nd company visit, Travel to Fortuna, check into new hotel 

May 19- La Fortuna adventure Day 

May 20-Travel to Monteverde, check-in at new hotel, Chocolate Farm Tour, Night Walk in cloud forest after dark with a naturalist guide.  

May 21-Early morning Cloud Forest Reserve Hike, then travel Guanacaste area beach, wrap up session and Farewell dinner 

May 22- Transportation back to the airport for return to the US.  Return will be from the airport in Liberia. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

 

 

 

Academic Credit

Earn 3 credits for BME 49500.  Graduate students earn 3 credits for BME 59500.  All students must check with their academic advisor as to how this course can be used in your plan of study.  

Eligibility

Open to all BME students, all engineering majors, and students in related healthcare majors, including first year students.  

**Please note that non-BME students need to submit a 500-word essay explaining their interest in taking this course.  

Program Cost

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.

Estimated program cost is $4,300 which includes:  3 academic credits, Hotels, all ground transportation in Costa Rica, Breakfast daily, Welcome and Farewell meals, all excursions on the itinerary, and international health insurance.  

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full.  24 spots available.  

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.