High School Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Study Abroad In Costa Rica

Explore the place of pura vida (pure life), a contagious attitude of living life to the fullest. And it shows – Costa Rica is the world’s happiest country according to the Happy Planet index. A peaceful country with no standing army, Costa Rica has a long democratic tradition. Democracy, peace, and political freedom are often mentioned as their greatest blessings.

By living with a host family and studying at a local high school in Costa Rica, you’ll be fully immersed in their Spanish language dialect and vibrant culture. You’ll be so much more than a tourist. But you’ll still get to visit some of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations on a one-week bus trip with other AFS Exchange Students from all over the world. Most of the time, you’ll simply live pura vida.

Things To Know About Costa Rica

Costa Ricans call themselves “ticos,” and you’ll often hear them demonstrate their national pride by describing something as “muy tico,” or “very Costa Rican.” Ticos are generally easy-going, so you’re likely to get along with most people you meet.

Airfare

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA	2.5
Age Range	15yrs, 0 months to 17yrs, 0 months at start of program
Language Skills	Preferred, but not required
COVID-19 Vaccine	Required

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Costa Rica

Visa Information

AFS will provide visa guidance and support documents (if applicable). Visa processes can be lengthy and complex; you may be required to travel long distances to apply for the visa if there is not an embassy, consulate, etc. close to your home. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond a return date from your host country. We urge you to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible if applying to an AFS program. We recommend not taking any trips (domestically or internationally) within 2 months prior to your AFS program as it may interfere with the visa application process and result in a late program start date.

Travel & Orientation

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

Also during this time, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Costa Rica will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Costa Rican culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Your Accommodations

AFSers have lived all throughout Costa Rica, but you’ll most likely find yourself in an urban or suburban area. No matter where you stay, you’ll be within an hour or two of the coast and nearby some breathtaking natural beauty.

Communities in Costa Rica tend to be small, and most people enjoy gathering together to catch up on the local news and gossip. Costa Ricans are usually welcoming and family-oriented. You can expect to share lots of meals with your host parents, host siblings, and extended family members.

Costa Ricans consider the family the basic element of society. Most young people live with their parents even after entering college or becoming financially independent. They usually will not leave home until they get married, and even then, they will try to remain close to their parents.

Your High School in Costa Rica

During your study abroad in Costa Rica, you can expect to be enrolled in a public school. Classes usually start around 7 am with a snack break around noon. Depending on the school, the end of the day could be anywhere from 1 to 4:30 pm. In some places, a portion of students attend class in the morning while the rest go in the afternoon. Because most studying is done at school, you probably won’t have too much homework, giving you plenty of free time to learn about Costa Rican culture through firsthand experience.

Daily Life

Teenage Life in Costa Rica

Costa Rican students like to get together to watch movies, have picnics, or hang out in the park. Futból (soccer) is the most popular sport, but you might also play basketball or go swimming. Dancing is another favorite pastime, with people enjoying Latin dances like salsa, merengue, and cumbia, as well as the Costa Rican swing.

What’s included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Free Language Proficiency Testing: after your immersive study abroad experience, take an AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) language proficiency test to be able to add your language skills to your resume or possibly your high school transcript!
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
Secondary medical coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What’s not included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
Spending money
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
COVID-19 testing
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

Learn More

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Costa Rica?	Residence Permit
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	In host country
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Easy
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses ($ – $$$)	$$$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions	Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in Costa Rica, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Costa Rica.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.

High School in Costa Rica

By living with a host family and studying at a local high school in Costa Rica, you’ll be fully immersed in their Spanish language dialect and vibrant culture.