COSTA RICA
INTERN & STUDY ABROAD
Study abroad independently by taking your college courses online or by advancing your own learning, including a chance to polish your Spanish skills. Intern abroad with a local organization or social enterprise with an opportunity to earn university credit.
Highlights
FOR THE COSTA RICA: INTERN & STUDY ABROAD™ PROGRAM
- Choose your own adventure: study, intern and volunteer abroad during your extended stay
- Live on an private, remote campus in a Central American tropical paradise
- Stay within walking distance to one of Costa Rica’s most famous white sand beaches
- Explore Costa Rica with three organized adventure activities per month
- Be immersed in the local culture through weekly workshops
- Improve your Spanish through weekly language immersion lessons
This program is being provided by two world leaders in international education, Global Leadership Adventures and Beyond Sports. Enrollment is open to travelers ages 18-24.
Are you a student between the ages of 18-24 who has the ability to take your college courses online and complete them from anywhere in the world? If so, why not do it in Costa Rica? You’ll be able to have an independent study abroad experience in a country that has reopened for travel to visitors from the United States, with the most up-to-date safety measures and precautions put into place to protect you, your fellow students and staff members, as well as the local community. To read more about our COVID-19 health and safety measures for this program, click here.
Program Menu For
Intern & Study Abroad
COSTA RICA
INTERN & STUDY ABROAD
Program Overview
ON THIS PROGRAM YOU WILL…
- Spend one month overseas in Costa Rica this May (05/02/21 – 05/29/21)
- Enjoy close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Costa Rica’s famed white sand beaches
- If your college offers online courses, complete them remotely from our campus in Costa Rica*
- Complete an internship with a Costa Rican organization and earn university credit
- Participate in optional Spanish language workshops and community service projects
- Experience an adventure with an optional excursion each weekend
*If your university isn’t offering online courses during this time, you can choose to advance your learning independently, or join us here for a “gap semester” and take no official classes while learning through local immersion.
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Featured Destinations
COSTA RICA
INTERN & STUDY ABROAD
Intern Abroad
Completing an internship is a quintessential university experience that will help set you up for future professional and personal success. It also gives you a unique opportunity to give back to a local organization, nonprofit or social enterprise within Costa Rica in return. Choose between the Community Development and Environmental Stewardship internship track to provide a thematic framework for your experience. Build leadership, interpersonal, consulting and workplace skills. You can also earn college credit for your internship.
We encourage you to check with your university to see if they will provide credit for this internship. If not, you can either forgo earning credit, or for an additional $750 fee you can earn the standard 3 credits from Portland State University for completing the required 120 intern hours as well as any specified criteria, curriculum and student reflection. The internship itself is included in the cost of your program, though participation is optional. See details in the Dates & Tuition section to learn more.
Study Abroad
Immersive learning is at the heart of your academic experience abroad. Think of this as a kind of “global classroom” where the educational experience is independent and will look different for every student, including you. Choose between continuing your college coursework through online classes from your school for credit, or take your learning outside of classwork and advance your education through independent study. For any online lectures or computer-based studies, you can choose to work from the classroom, dining room or your own bedroom. Basically, you’ll be having the typical college experience, but from the paradise of Costa Rica.
We also offer optional, immersive language learning sessions for those looking to improve their Spanish skills.
Adventure Abroad
While you are more than welcome to stay on campus or visit local beaches during your weekends off if you’d like, we include an exciting, planned group adventure excursion each weekend. Go ziplining through the tropical forest canopy at Diamante Eco Adventure Park. Take in a spectacular Pacific sunset on a catamaran tour. Hit the rapids and enjoy a whitewater rafting expedition. You can also take to the shore for surf lessons if you’re interested in learning how to ride a wave. Activities may vary depending on your time of stay.
Looking to volunteer abroad during your stay? We also offer optional, local community service projects. Service may include beach cleanup, infrastructure projects or tackle other community needs.
Live Abroad
Home Base is a private, three-acre campus in beautiful Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica. You’ll be walking distance from the shores of the Pacific Ocean and Costa Rica’s famed white sand beaches. Students will share rooms with a roommate, and have access to shared dorm bathrooms with showers.
As for meals, breakfast and dinner will be prepared by our in-house chef. You’ll be treated to variety for both western foods (think pancakes and pasta) to Costa Rican cuisine (think tropical fruits to local staples like rice and beans). Lunch is prepared early and left in the campus fridge for you to grab.If you have any special requests or dietary needs, our chef will work to accommodate you.
In your free time during off hours, enjoy the community of a typical campus lifestyle. The adventure is yours to create! Catch a movie in the classroom, play board games or cards, enjoy a bonfire with friends, or hang out at the beach for sunset. Take advantage of campus amenities, including our amazing fitness facilities.
COSTA RICA
INTERN & STUDY ABROAD
Dates & Tuition
Everything you need to know before you apply.
1-to-3 Month Program
Ages 18-24
| 2021 Dates |
|---|
| JAN 02 – JAN 29, 2021 REGISTRATION CLOSED |
| FEB 01 – FEB 28, 2021 REGISTRATION CLOSED |
| MAR 02 – MAR 29, 2021 REGISTRATION CLOSED |
| APR 02 – APR 29, 2021 REGISTRATION CLOSED |
| MAY 02 – MAY 29, 2021 |
Internship Credits
Via Portland State University
| $750 Internship Fee |
|---|
| 1 Credit = 40 Hours |
| 2 Credits = 80 Hours |
| 3 Credits = 120 Hours* |
Local Insurance
Additional Fee Upon Entry
Please note that while Costa Rica has reopened to travelers from the United States, a local insurance policy is required for entry into Costa Rica, at an additional cost.
Linked Sessions
1, 2, or 3 Months
While you can come for one month if that’s what your schedule allows for, we encourage you to stay for 2-3 months with us! If you choose to join us for more than one session, you will be permitted to stay on campus in the gap between sessions. Access to all amenities and three meals per day will still be provided for you.
Campus Amenities
What's Included?
- Air-conditioned dorms
- Access to laundry facilities
- Outdoor dining area
- Classroom
- Basketball gym
- Open-air yoga studio
- Two-story strength & conditioning facility
- High-speed WiFi
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- In-country transportation for excursions
- Lodging
- 3 meals per day
- Professional full-time staff at Home Base
- Parent support answering service
- Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
- Cultural activities and workshops
- 3 organized adventure activities a month
- Pre-departure materials and support
To save your spot, a $600 deposit and $95 application fee are required.
Speak with the GLA Admissions Team
Admissions
Phone Number
1-858-771-0645
USA Toll-Free
Phone Number
1-888-358-4321
Admissions
Email Address
info@experienceGLA.com
Meet Your Internship Team
Megan Theiller
International Director
Megan will be your International Director for your semester abroad in Costa Rica! Residing on campus year-round, Megan will be a go-to local expert for you. She’ll be able to help you with everything from navigating local transportation to identifying the best restaurants in town.
Megan grew up in Hopewell Junction, NY, a small town just north of New York City. She graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in biology. While at Fairfield, Megan was a standout member of their Division I volleyball program. She was a three-time captain and earned several accolades throughout her career, including Female Student-Athlete of the Year for her conference as a senior. Since graduation, Megan has been living in Costa Rica and working for Beyond Sports––the world leader in international education for student-athletes. She is very experienced in providing safe, immersive international programming for students.
Community involvement is integral in Megan’s life. In her role with Beyond Sports, Megan works closely with several nonprofits in the Playa Flamingo area. In fact, she will be organizing optional service-learning opportunities for you.
When Megan isn’t hosting study abroad students in Costa Rica, she remains an active participant in these year-round service-learning activities. She also coaches a local high school volleyball team. She is passionate about giving back to the local community in ways that are both sustainable and meaningful.
Silvia Betancourt
Local Director
Silvia will be your Local Director for your semester abroad in Costa Rica! A Costa Rican local with over eight years of experience hosting students studying abroad, she is exceptionally equipped to help you transition to living abroad and continue meeting your academic goals. She will serve as your primary program supervisor.
Silvia was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, where she attended Liceo Laboratorio High School. She was a standout student-athlete and received a full DI scholarship to continue her soccer career at Liberty University in Virginia. Silvia graduated from Liberty with a degree in Health Promotion.
Since 2013, Silvia has been back in Costa Rica working as Site Director, planning and supervising study abroad programs. Her own international experience has not only made her passionate about offering global education opportunities to students, but it has also broadened her own worldview. She strives to provide the same eye-opening experiences to all students that join her in Costa Rica.
Outside of international travel, Silvia also has a deep passion for community engagement. For over eight years, she has worked with several nonprofits in San Jose. Her community work includes implementing effective communication strategies, creating high quality relationships with organization staff, and providing resources and training. She also coaches local youth sports teams and is a member of the Special Needs Association Costa Rica board.
Study Abroad Supervisors
24/7 ONSITE SUPPORT
Your local Costa Rican Study Abroad Supervisors will be living on campus and available to students 24/7. Both for individual support — as well as safety and risk management guidelines for the facilities and campus in general — relating to COVID-19 prevention and management, emergency support and other miscellaneous needs (i.e. tech support, homesickness, etc).
COSTA RICA
INTERN & STUDY ABROAD
Request a Program Catalog
Browse our catalog to discover all GLA has to offer.
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