Program Overview

Program Overview

The Education and Psychology in Costa Rica program combines Spanish language learning, academic coursework, and an internship. Over the course of three modules (each three weeks long), students build a strong cultural foundation and gain real-world experience in education or social services, all while living with a local host family.

Program Structure

• Module I: Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion: Students take one Spanish course (5 credits) at their appropriate levelBeginner Spanish (100 level), Intermediate Spanish (200 level), or History & Culture of Costa Rica (300 level).
• Module II: Educational Psychology and Part-Time Internship: Students begin their internship while taking Educational Psychology (4 credits, taught in English).
• Module III: Full-Time Internship: The final three weeks are fully dedicated to the internship, where students work full-time alongside local professionals in their chosen setting.

Additional Program Highlights

• Two weekend excursions and several day-long trips to locations such as Ark Herb Farm, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Arenal Volcano.
• Cultural activities like traditional Costa Rican cooking and dance classes, as well as guided city tours.

Admission Criteria

• Language Requirement: None
• Academic Standing by Program Start: Second-Term Freshman & Above
• Location: Americas, Costa Rica
• GPA: 2.5

Dates and Deadlines

Academic Details

Students will enroll in the following courses:

• SPAN 188/288/388: Spanish Language Course (5 credits): Choose one Spanish course to take during the first three weeks of the program.
• EDST/FHS 388: Educational Psychology (4 credits): This course, taught in English, examines cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and adolescents.
• GLBL 488: Internship (4 credits, 120 hours): Gain practical, hands-on experience through a supervised internship that spans Modules II and III.

Faculty and Staff

• Adriana Apuy Rojas: Experienced bilingual educator with over 20 years of teaching and academic leadership.
• Janiva Cifuentes-Hiss: Director of Strategic Partnerships with over 20 years of experience in study abroad.
• Catalina Ovares: Costa Rica Resident Director, certified naturalist guide with extensive experience leading study abroad programs.
• Angélica Pérez: Costa Rica Program Director, certified bilingual tour guide with decades of experience leading study abroad programs.
• Adriana Campos: Costa Rica Program Director, certified tour guide with many years of experience in ecotourism, volunteer coordination, and environmental education.

Housing Description

Students will be placed in groups of two to three students per homestay in Heredia, Costa Rica. Homestays provide three meals a day and are conveniently located within walking distance of each other and the classrooms.

Budget and Price

Education and Psychology in Costa Rica

2026 Winter Quarter

• GEO Program Fees:
  • UO Study Abroad Fee: $500
  • Program Tuition: $5,515
  • Housing & Included Meals: $3,190
  • Insurance: $195
• Estimated Additional Expenses:
  • Estimated Airfare from Eugene: $900
  • Estimated Additional Meals: $200
  • Estimated Cell Phone Expenses: $125
  • Estimated Travel Clinic & Pre-departure physical: $50
  • Estimated Cost of acquiring passport: $150
  • Estimated Additional Living Expenses: $200
  • Estimated Transportation Costs for Internship: $180
• Total Estimated Cost of Attendance: $11,380

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation Date | Cancellation Penalty
  • Upon acceptance to program: Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
  • 8 weeks before program start date: Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
  • Program start date or after program begins: Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees