Study Abroad Orientation & Excursions in Costa Rica

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, artisan cheese making, a skywalk over the Rainforest, and a visit to an agricultural community. Day trip may include Volcán Arenal.
  
• Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a tour of the National Theatre, visits to the Jade and Gold Museums, a tour of a coffee plantation, visit to a chocolate factory, whitewater rafting, a visit to an agricultural community, and a three-day visit to either the Nicoya Gulf Islands or the Pacuare turtle reserve.
  
• 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

• Tour of Teatro Nacional
• Visit to jade or gold museum
• Day trip to Pueblo Antiguo in Heredia
  

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

• Birthday celebrations
• T-shirt design contest
• Thanksgiving celebration (fall semester)
• Monthly follow-up meetings (snacks included)