Program Overview

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Program Overview

The James Madison University Summer 2026 program in collaboration with the Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI) offers students the opportunity to build language proficiency through intensive coursework and rich cultural experiences in Costa Rica.

Location

The program takes place in Heredia, Monteverde, Costa Rica, with students living with carefully selected host families in two unique regions, providing daily opportunities to practice Spanish in authentic contexts.

Program Description

This three-week program includes four hours of instructor-led Spanish classes each day, taught by experienced CPI faculty. The program offers a variety of courses tailored to students' Spanish proficiency levels and the number of participants enrolled. Coursework focuses on communication skills and cultural understanding, reinforced by daily interactions with host families and local communities.

Courses

• SPAN 231: Intermediate Spanish (3 credits)
• SPAN 232: Intermediate Spanish II (3 credits)
• SPAN 476: Culture and Medicine in Latin America (3 credits)
• SPAN 490: Special Studies in Spanish (3 credits)

Course Descriptions

• SPAN 231: This low-intermediate Spanish course guides students from an initial level to a basic functional level, developing essential communicative competencies.
• SPAN 232: The intermediate level Spanish course reinforces oral and written production and comprehension, incorporating intermediate grammatical structures and a wide lexical repertoire.
• SPAN 476: This specialized Medical Spanish course strengthens communicative competence in Spanish with an emphasis on clinical and hospital contexts.
• SPAN 490: This course integrates language and culture learning through practice of communicative skills in Spanish.

Location Description

The program consists of 17 days in Costa Rica, with students experiencing life in two distinct regions, offering a balanced view of both urban and rural life while immersing themselves in Spanish language and culture.

Accommodations

All students will participate in home stays with families in the host culture for the entirety of the program, enjoying two home-cooked meals per day with their host families.

Director

• Diana Galarreta-Aima
• Jennifer Lang-Rigal

Applicant Criteria

• Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0
• Open to all class levels and majors, including graduate students
• Open to non-JMU students
• Students must successfully complete one Spanish language course prior to the start of the program

Application Process

• Study Abroad Online Application ($40 fee)
• Short essay
• Attendance at program information session may be required
• Unofficial transcript required for JMU student; official transcript required for non-JMU students

Additional Items to Consider

• All participants must have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of the program's return date
• U.S. Citizens: A visa is not required for U.S. citizens to enter Costa Rica for this short-term academic program
• Non-U.S. Citizens: Students who are not U.S. citizens are responsible for checking visa requirements for Costa Rica based on their country of citizenship
• All students must have access to a working cell phone with international coverage during the program
• Free Wi-Fi is generally available at CPI campuses and in homestays
• Students must attend a pre-departure orientation to review safety protocols, cultural expectations, and emergency procedures