Eligibility
Program Details
Visa and Travel
AFS Orientations and Activities
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between 15 years 0 months and 18 years 0 months old at the start of the program
- Have passing GPA and be prepared to participate in academically rigorous, intensive language study
- Be in good mental, physical, and emotional health in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policy
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Program Details
This 6 week program is designed to further your Spanish language skills through formal study while offering you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lifestyle and culture of Costa Rica. Learn about life in Costa Rica
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between Miami and San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. Upon your arrival, you will be met by volunteers and staff of AFS Costa Rica and be taken to a group site where you will stay together overnight.
The next morning, you and the group will travel to your host community by bus or car (depending on your host city) where you will take place in a full day orientation. Following the orientation you will be picked up by your host family and begin the homestay portion of the program.
Host Families
All participants will reside with volunteer host families selected by AFS Costa Rica. Your host family will provide room, board, and guidance to you during your stay.
The 2009 host communities are Turrialba, Cartago, and Liberia. Your site will be assigned by AFS Costa Rica based on your current Spanish speaking ability. Beginner Spanish speakers welcome. We’ll provide you with language assessment in the months prior to your departure.
Approx. 60 hours of Spanish language classes (3 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks) will be offered by certified language instructors.
Class are offered exclusively to AFS students from the USA, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Canada. Class size varies by language level but will be approx. 10-15 students per class. All language study materials will be provided but we suggest that you bring an English-Spanish dictionary for personal use.
In addition to your language classes, cultural lessons and activities will be organized by your local AFS volunteers.
During the final week of the program, you and the other participants will go on a 5 day bus tour of Costa Rica. This will include a visit to an active volcano with hot springs (two days), a visit to a beautiful Costa Rican beach (two days) and a day-long tour of San Jose.
Program details are subject to change. Additional information will be provided to participants prior to departure.
Visa and Travel
Visa
A student visa is not required in order to participate in this program.
However, you must have a U.S. passport in order to travel internationally. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Travel
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between Miami and San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. After you collect your luggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers. You’ll spend the night in San Jose and then travel by bus or car to you host community the next day. Once in your host community, you will participate in a 1 day orientation before being picked up by your host family.
AFS Orientations and Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically – the local Pre-Departure Orientation, Culture Trek, and the Gateway Orientation – you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in the host community. This will be a 1 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
Finally, there will be an evaluation camp immediately prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Costa Rica. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
