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 |
| Fall 2023 |
07/26/23 to
11/25/23 |
| Past Dates |
|
Spring 2022 |
03/02/22 to
07/16/22 |
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
This program typically includes the following:
Arrival and orientation
Airport pick-up for group flight travelers
Hotel stay with pool, tennis courts and gardens for one night (spring semester only)
Welcome meal
14-day on-site orientation for semester/year students includes: transportation, accommodation, activities and meals
One week of orientation is in Heredia and includes: tour of Heredia, San José, and UNA campus, informational meetings, orientation wrap-up at Pueblo Antiguo amusement park
Second week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester) and includes: informational meetings, 15 hours of intensive Spanish classes, host family stay, and farewell party with host families
Orientation in Monteverde Cloud Forest can include: sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill
Orientation in Liberia can include: visit to waterfall in San Luis Valley, trip to volcano or horseback riding
Cultural events
Excursion
Housing
Students on this program are placed with a carefully selected host family, which will include three meals per day and free laundry access.
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: Fall 2023
|
Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue
and Co-sponsor
|
| Program Fee |
$12,605.00
|
| 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 |
$595.00 |
| Visa |
$400.00 |
| Books and Supplies |
$150.00 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$0.00 -
$969.00 |
| 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.
