IFSA-Universidad Nacional
Program Details
Program Location |
Heredia, Costa Rica
|
Sponsor |
IFSA-Butler |
Program Type |
Co-sponsored |
Course # |
SA 34008
|
Duration |
Semester or 2 Semesters
|
Upcoming Program Dates |
To Be Announced |
Current Program Dates |
Spring 2024 |
02/15/24 to
06/22/24 |
Past Dates |
Fall 2023 |
07/26/23 to
11/25/23 |
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice
Overview
Costa Rica has long been popular with study abroad students thanks to its outstanding natural beauty, high literacy rates, efficient infrastructure and services, and political stability. The friendliness of the Costa Rican people and the clarity of their accent make this lovely country a particularly good place to explore a Spanish-speaking society.
Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the surface of the earth, yet has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity. Packed into this small country is an amazing variety of flora and fauna in an equally impressive array of landscapes - mountain valleys, mangrove forests, and massive volcanoes draped with lush forests and topped with desolate craters.
Heredia, the program site, is a city of 35,000 people located six miles north of the capital San José. The city and its surrounding areas provide all the conveniences of a medium-sized town. The city has a youthful and active feel due to the presence of the many young Costa Ricans attending the local university. Heredia is known as 'the city of flowers' because of its beautiful parks and mild climate.
The Universidad Nacional Cost Rica (UNA) was established in 1973 to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. With nearly 15,000 students, this public university offers a full curriculum of undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Students at UNA enjoy a number of artistic and athletic student groups, with extensive opportunities to get involved on campus. All program participants may use a health center located on campus.
The approximate program dates are late Jul.-late Nov. for the fall term or late Feb.- late Jun for the spring term.
For more program information, please visit the
program website.
This program is sponsored by:
IFSA-Butler.
Eligibility
The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.
GPA Requirement:
2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: 4 Sem Spanish
Purdue Credit
Direct Credit
available from the following:
[
College of Liberal Arts] [
College of Health and Human Sciences]
Specifically from:
HK, PSY, PUBH, & SLHS (HHS)
Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.
Academic Program
This program combines the best of integrated campus life with familiarity of small discussion-based program combine the following IFSA exclusive courses with those directly-enrolled at UNA alongside local students. All coursework is in Spanish.
The IFSA course of Advanced Spanish is required for all students, and you will select the rest of your courses from the offerings at Universidad Nacional. More information on available courses and how to search the course catalog can be found here.
Excursions
Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.
Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program and are subject to change.
Activities
- City-as-Text Activity: Visit Heredia and San Jose to explore the contrasts between two important economical centers and see their most important landmarks.
- Sachi Oxcart Painting Workshop
- Latin Dance Class
- Sustainable Chocolate Production Experience
- Migration workshop
- Gender Identity in Costa Rica Workshop
Excursions
- Permaculture and Sustainability Farming Trip
- Poas Volcano and Doka Coffee Farm Visit
- Finca Madrina and El Copal Biological Reserve
Housing
IFSA places students with carefully screened families in safe neighborhoods, with up to two students per family, though students can request to be placed individually. Many families have been hosting IFSA students for years.
You might live with a retired couple and their beloved terrier, with frequent visits from their young grandchildren. Your hosts might have high school-age children and a grandparent living with them. Or you might join a single mom who shares her home with her adult daughter and grandson, with another adult child living nearby. The commute to class is no more than 20 minutes by foot or bus.
Three meals per day are included in the program cost.
Estimated Program Costs
Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss. Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program.
The Program fee includes tuition, orientation, academic advising services and academic tutors, excursions/cultural activities/day-trips, and more. The housing fee includes accommodation with a host family, three meals per day, and laundry service. Please see IFSA's website for more details.
Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are
for: Spring 2024
Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue
and Co-sponsor
|
Program Fee |
$12,645.00
|
Study Abroad Fee |
$914.10 |
Housing |
$2,350.00 |
Purdue International Insurance (per month) |
$32.00 |
Program Discount for Purdue Students |
- $2,000.00 |
Approximate additional costs per semester
|
To be paid by the student.
|
Round-trip Airfare |
$700.00 |
Local Transportation |
$180.00 |
Visa |
$400.00 |
Books and Supplies |
$80.00 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$0.00 -
$1,395.00 |
Travel Documents (passport, photos) |
$175.00 |
Financial Aid
IFSA-Butler offers a monthly payment plan option for its fees as well as scholarships. Please see its website for more information. 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.
Application Deadlines
For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.
As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.
Program Application Deadline
|
Most Fall Semester Programs |
Mar 1 |
Most Spring Semester Programs |
Sep 15 |
Returnees Information
Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.
Resources
The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.
For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383
or email
studyabroad@purdue.edu.