Study Abroad Orientation & Excursions in Costa Rica

Heredia Intermediate

Previous excursions included, but were not limited to:

Arrival and orientation

Airport pick up for group flight travelers
Hotel stay and welcome meal on first night of orientation
Program orientation (two weeks)
- Includes: Transportation, informational sessions, accommodations, activities and most meals
- One week of orientation is held in Heredia. Activities may include informational meetings at UNA, course preregistration, tour of Heredia, San José and UNA, intensive Spanish classes and trip to Pueblo Antiguo amusement park.
- One week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester). Activities may include: Informational meetings, intensive Spanish classes, host family stay and farewell party for host families.
Monteverde orientation activities may include: Sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill. Day trip may include visit to Volcán Arenal and Fortuna community, or Parcela Agricola (visit to rural community).
Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to waterfall in San Luis valley, trip to volcano and horseback riding. Day excursion may include trip to Albergue Agroecológico Rincón de Vieja
Introduction to Costa Rican culture
Discussion of academic differences and expectations
IFSA-Butler staff walk students through everything from how to succeed academically to living with a host family to integrating socially in the host university

Cultural events

Excursion
The following excursions may be available during the semester:

Tour of organic coffee cooperative in Santa María de Dota
Chocolate tour (cacao plantation) in the Tirimbina Sarapiquí community
"Save the Turtles" in the Caribbean coastal community of Parismina
Experience the local culture and cuisine of Isla Chira, a small fishing community in the province of Puntarenas on the Nicoya Gulf

Other activities

Previous excursions included, but were not limited to:

Arrival and orientation

Airport pick up for group flight travelers
Hotel stay and welcome meal on first night of orientation
Universidad de Costa Rica orientation (4 weeks)
- Includes: Transportation, informational sessions, accommodations, activities and most meals
- Three weeks of orientation is held in San Pedro, San José. Activities may include meetings at UCR, course pre-registration, tour of San José and UCR campus, intensive Spanish classes and trip to Pueblo Antiguo amusement park
- One week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester). Activities may include: Informational meetings, intensive Spanish classes, host family stay and farewell party for host families.
Monteverde orientation activities may include: Sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill
Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to waterfall in San Luis valley, trip to volcano and horseback riding

Cultural events

Excursion

Other activities

Previous excursions included, but were not limited to:

Arrival and orientation

Airport pick up for group flight travelers
Hotel stay and welcome meal on first night of orientation
Universidad Nacional orientation (2 weeks)
- Includes: Transportation, accommodations, informational sessions, activities and most meals
- One week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester). Activities include: informational meetings, intensive Spanish classes, host family stay and farewell party with host families.
- One week of orientation is held in Heredia. Activities may include informational meetings at UNA, course pre-registration, tour of Heredia, San José and UNA, intensive Spanish classes and trip to Pueblo Antiguo amusement park.

Monteverde orientation activities may include: Sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill
Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to waterfall in San Luis valley, trip to volcano and horseback riding

Cultural events