The Instituto San Joaquin de Flores offers two types of study programs for students and visitors to Costa Rica. There are semester and summer-long academic programs and short-term Spanish language courses for beginners on up. The information that follows describes the institute, the location, the programs and opportunities that the country affords for everyone.

The Institute is housed in a colonial-style building constructed specifically to be an academic facility and language school. Its two-story structure houses classrooms, lounges and study spaces on each floor, as well as bathrooms and a pantry. It has lovely gardens with orchids and other tropical plants, and two large mango trees.

All courses at the Institute are taught by faculty from the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma (UNA) de Costa Rica. Some of the courses have been created in cooperation with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which award credits for them to its students.

The Institute is located in the lovely colonial town of San Joaquín, only 2.4 miles and a 15 minute ride by local transportation to the town of Heredia, where the Universidad Nacional is located; 9.9 miles from the capital, San José; and 2.4 miles from the airport. Beaches are only 3 hours away by bus. National parks are 40 minutes away. Students in Costa Rica take full advantage of the opportunity to be “ecotourists”. You will find it easy, inexpensive and safe to travel around Costa Rica for day trips and weekends. Travel to neighboring Nicaragua and Panama are also popular options.

 
Costa Rica is known around the world for its natural beauty, temperate climate (San José averages 70 degrees year round), its democracy and political stability. It has one of the largest middle class and highest literacy rates in Latin America. Without an army since 1948, the nation has devoted itself  to educational achievement and to converting nearly one third of its territory into protected conservation areas and national parks. There are currently thirteen national parks and six biological preserves where you can observe an amazing number of species of plants, animals, birds, and butterflies. Studying in Costa Rica will give you an ideal opportunity to experience a nation with a major commitment to protecting its natural resources while you explore its volcanoes, beaches, rain forests and cloud forests.

You will be placed individually with local families in San Joaquín, within walking distance of the Institute. “Tico” families are known for their warmth and friendliness toward visiting students-living with them is a great way to practice your Spanish skills. Semester and summer program costs include housing with three meals per day. Short term language program housing costs are listed separately (click here).

SEMESTER AND SUMMER PROGRAMS
There will be an initial excursion during orientation week, and one long weekend excursion. The excursions will include visits to coffee plantations, nearby beaches, and to cloud and rainforest areas. Costa Rica is world-famous for its “ecotourism” with its many microclimates, gorgeous beaches on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coast, volcanoes, and enormous number of species of flora and fauna. Excursions will also be available to program participants to visit a variety of nature reserves, such as nesting areas of the leatherback Caribbean sea turtle, the dolphins in Playa Hermosa, whale watching in the Pacific, and other opportunities.

SHORT TERM LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
Enrollment in the 4-week language option includes one excursion to beaches, volcanoes or national parks.

SPRING SEMESTER 2008

•  DATES: January 8, 2008  to May 11, 2008
• PRICE: $7370, without the UNA which includes instructional costs, administration, orientation, excursions, room and three meals per day with family.

•   DATES: January 8, 2008  to June 15, 2008
• PRICE: $7820, with the UNA, which includes instructional costs, administration, orientation, excursions, room and three meals per day with family. Click here for university programs

• NOT INCLUDED: round trip transportation, personal expenses, insurance and tuition (if any) at your home institution.

To see the list of courses please click here

FALL SEMESTER 2008

• DATES: August 19, 2008  to December 14, 2008
• PRICE: $7370, which includes instructional costs, administration, orientation, excursions, room and three meals per day with family.

• NOT INCLUDED: round trip transportation, personal expenses, insurance and tuition (if any) at your home institution.

To see the list of courses please click here

• ELEGIBILITY: With the exception of lower-level Spanish courses, four semesters of Spanish or equivalent is recommended.
Enrollment in a 2 to 4 week intensive language program is also an option to prepare for regular semester or summer programs. Click here for short term language programs

SPRING SEMESTER 2009

•  DATES: January 13, 2009  to May 17, 2009
• PRICE: $8107, without the UNA which includes instructional costs, administration, orientation, excursions, room and three meals per day with family.

•   DATES: January 13, 2009  to June 14, 2009
• PRICE: $8557, with the UNA, which includes instructional costs, administration, orientation, excursions, room and three meals per day with family. Click here for university programs

• NOT INCLUDED: round trip transportation, personal expenses, insurance and tuition (if any) at your home institution.

• DATES:  FOR SUMMER 2008

First track: May 13, 2008  to June 29, 2008
Second Track: July 1, 2008  to August 17, 2008

•PRICE: $3400, which includes instructional costs, administration, orientation, one excursion, room and three meals per day with family.

• NOT INCLUDED: round trip transportation, personal expenses, insurance and tuition (if any) at your home institution.

• COURSES: Spanish language at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels as well as selected additional courses from the semester course list in Spanish language and culture, environmental studies and community service internships, click here*

• ELEGIBILITY: With the exception of lower-level Spanish courses, four semesters of Spanish or equivalent is recommended.
Enrollment in a 2 to 4 week intensive language program is also an option to prepare for regular semester or summer programs. Click here for short term language programs