Maymester and Summer Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica and Faculty Led Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica or Ecuador
Ecuador
Study Abroad
Based in Cuenca, Ecuador
1-2 weeks in length
Study Abroad in
Ecuador & Costa Rica
Based in Cuenca & Santo Domingo de Heredia
2-6 weeks in length
Costa Rica
Study Abroad
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia
1-6 weeks in length
Now Open for Registration
Spanish Study Abroad Programs
Costa Rica & Ecuador — January, February, May, June & July trips available
Helping Students Gain Spanish as a Practical Skill
We integrate the following components into an intense 1–2 month international studies program focused on Spanish proficiency development:
Spanish Immersion Classes
Study Spanish 4hrs/day in immersion classes focused on oral proficiency and communication skills relevant to your future profession.
Host Family Lodging
Living with a host family keeps you speaking Spanish 24/7. Our strict 1 student/family policy ensures you never get tempted to speak English.
Practicum / Internship Experience
We connect students with local volunteer internship opportunities to practice Spanish in a relevant real-world work context.
Weekend Adventure Travel
Costa Rica offers incredible biodiversity and geography. Explore the country’s natural wonders while living and studying there.
Our short-term study abroad programs in Costa Rica are the perfect international studies experience for students and universities who want a Spanish for Specific Purposes program.
— Rory Foster, Study Abroad Director
Maymester and Summer Study Abroad Programs
The most popular options — explore our most common short-term study abroad programs below.
BS-MD Summer Study Abroad
Get a jump start on the medical Spanish required in today’s world of medicine. All medical work focuses on outreach in underserved Costa Rican communities supervised by local physicians, adhering strictly to our mission statement for medical work abroad.
Business Summer Study Abroad
Study business Spanish half the day and spend the other half at your internship site. Costa Rica’s booming international business community in the Central Valley makes it the ideal environment. Contact us for more information.
Environmental Science & Spanish (Credit Bearing)
Earn Environmental Science credit (100 level) and Spanish credit (100 or 200 level) while exploring Costa Rica’s 50 national parks and rich conservation history. Learn more today!
Healthcare Summer Study Abroad
Open to all healthcare students: RN, BSN, APN, MD, PA, PT, MPH, DDS, and more. Study medical Spanish and provide outreach work in communities around the Central Valley. Learn more about our medical Spanish immersion programs.
Hospitality Management Study Abroad
Focus on hotel management support in Costa Rica’s busiest tourist destinations. Tourism fuels Costa Rica’s economy and makes it the ideal setting for hospitality students. Contact us for more information.
Translation / Interpretation Study Abroad
Costa Rica hosts a booming translation and telephonic interpretation industry — the perfect destination for Spanish linguistics and translation programs. Contact us for more information.
Custom Study Abroad Programs
Collaborate between your Spanish department and another school on campus to mix Spanish for Specific Purposes with course content relevant to Costa Rica. The possibilities are endless. Contact us for more information about a custom program.
Diversity and Inclusivity on Spanish Immersion
Our mission of Impacting Communities Through Language extends to ALL travelers and learners regardless of age, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
A Few Common Questions
Is Common Ground International an accredited university?
No, Common Ground is a study abroad program provider. We have been working successfully with university study abroad offices and individual schools since 2003, providing the complete study abroad experience: pre-departure preparation, onsite supervision, and post-trip evaluation and reflection.
How does it work between Common Ground International, the home university, and the internship site?
CGI programs are intricately designed to meet detailed learning objectives. After objectives and timing are defined, CGI submits a proposal based on projected student numbers. Once approved, a deposit (usually 1/3 of projected total) is required 5–6 months in advance. Students then apply for internships — placements are not guaranteed and must be earned. The balance is due 60 days prior to travel.
Is Spanish required for these short-term study abroad programs?
Yes, Spanish language skills are required. Students don’t need to test into a particular level, but internship opportunities will require Spanish. Programs include Spanish immersion courses to maximize learning, and we highly encourage students to be enrolled in a Spanish course at their home university before traveling.
I am curious about your business program in Costa Rica for my son who is a junior in college in the USA
¡Hola, Carla!
We will be contacting you to give you all the details! 🙌🏽😊
Thank you for sharing the information regarding study abroad programs. Really helpful. Keep posting, nice work.
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