Meet College Students Who Studied Abroad in Costa Rica

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If you’re interested in a blend of lively Latin culture, beautiful natural landscapes, and ample academic and professional opportunities, Costa Rica might be the perfect study abroad program destination for you. AIFS Abroad offers numerous study and intern abroad programs in San José, the nation’s capital. Studying or interning abroad in this Latin American capital city allows you to earn credit towards your degree and build your resumé, all while you live like a local and immerse yourself in the welcoming culture. On the weekends, you can spend your free time exploring the country—visiting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, hiking up volcanoes for spectacular views, or setting out to the jungle in search of unique wildlife. Want to learn what it’s actually like to study abroad in Costa Rica? 

Hear from three college students who studied abroad in Costa Rica with AIFS Abroad! 

Mary: Spring in San José 

Did you know that you don’t have to wait until you’re an upperclassman to study abroad? Many underclassmen study abroad with AIFS Abroad every year. Mary, a biology major and public and global health minor from Wayne State College, studied abroad in Costa Rica during the spring semester of her sophomore year. 

Mary chose to live in a homestay in Costa Rica; below, she shares some of the benefits of this immersive housing option: 

“I’m living with a host family so I get all of my breakfast and dinners provided for me… I have loved everything my host mom makes, and I love gallo pinto (a traditional Costa Rican breakfast dish). The fresh fruit here is also amazing!… I absolutely love living with a host family—I can confidently say it’s my favorite part about being abroad. My host mom and dad are so sweet, and I’ve just learned so much about Spanish and the culture that I would not be able to without them.” 

Mary not only cherished her time with her host family, but she also deeply appreciated the support of the on-site AIFS Abroad staff in San José: 

“I love the Costa Rica Program Director, Karla! She’s so helpful with everything and always there for us! … The AIFS office… is just a super close walk from campus—just a couple of minutes. And it’s a great place where you can hang out with friends [and] check out the cultural activities AIFS has; I work on homework, sometimes I eat lunch here, you can talk with the amazing staff, and it’s just a really nice, safe space to have.” 

For anyone interested in learning Spanish abroad, Costa Rica is a superb choice. While AIFS Abroad doesn’t require you to speak or learn Spanish for many of our programs, we do offer Spanish courses, along with intensive Spanish programs at some of our program destinations, which Mary describes below: 

“I am doing an extended semester, which is 16 weeks instead of 12 weeks for the regular semester. The last month, I will be taking an extra Spanish course after the regular semester when students go home… I did not know very much Spanish before I got here. I had taken classes in high school, but I had forgotten a lot, so I was a bit nervous. However, I took an intensive Spanish course the first month, which helped a ton, and I’ve learned so much from living with a host family. You definitely don’t have to be fluent [in Spanish] to study in Costa Rica, and you learn very fast!” 

Mary took three other classes in addition to her Spanish Intensive courses. To sum up her class experience in San José, she said the following: 

“I really enjoy all of my classes and love the way my professors genuinely care about students’ learning!” 

Jolina: Summer in San José 

Meet Jolina, a nursing student and FEA Recipient Grant awardee from California State University, Chico, who did a summer study abroad program in San José. 

As a nursing student who’s passionate about overcoming language barriers in the U.S., choosing to study abroad in Costa Rica was an easy decision for Jolina. In addition to being a Spanish-speaking country, Costa Rica is renowned for its excellent healthcare system. Below, she explains her decision in more detail: 

“I’ve worked at hospitals [in the U.S.] where there is limited access to translation services, and I’ve seen how language barriers pose significant challenges in healthcare. Patients may struggle to accurately describe their symptoms or understand their diagnosis and treatment. It is important to deliver equitable and culturally sensitive care to all patients, regardless of the language they speak. I came to Costa Rica with the intention of learning medical Spanish and improving my previous knowledge of Spanish.”  

Local Costa Ricans, called “Ticos,” are known for being welcoming and prioritizing their well-being. Below, Jolina describes how learning about their culture positively shaped her outlook on life: 

“Ticos prioritize the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle, meaning they live a ‘pure life.’ The ‘pura vida’ way of life focuses on finding balance and living modestly. It also entails strong connections with friends, family, and the community. In addition to the ‘pura vida’ mindset, Ticos follow a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and stress-reduction practices. This was interesting to learn, and I adopted this cultural attitude while here. It’s amazing how the Ticos prioritize a balanced, positive mindset.”  

In Costa Rica, personal well-being and environmental well-being go hand-in-hand, making it an ideal location for anyone interested in fields related to public health or conservation. Below, Jolina explains some sustainable practices she and other AIFS Abroad participants followed in Costa Rica: 

“The city itself was incredibly walkable, which made it easy to reduce my carbon footprint. My university was just a 15-minute walk away, and the closest grocery store was conveniently located around the corner, making it simple to live an eco-friendly lifestyle without the need for a car. I found myself walking everywhere, whether it was for errands, meals, or exploring the city, which not only helped me stay active but also aligned with the country’s emphasis on sustainability. When we did need to use transportation through the AIFS program, we made sure to prioritize sustainable options. For example, we used buses for our excursions, which helped minimize our environmental impact. Public transportation is a great way to reduce reliance on cars, and I appreciated how the program encouraged us to take part in this sustainable practice.” 

Marie: Fall Study + Internship in San José 

Marie from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater did a Study + Internship program in San José during the fall semester. A Study + Internship is a unique program that combines a traditional study abroad experience with a part-time internship. This allows students to take classes and earn credits toward their degree while gaining valuable professional experience. Hear Marie explain the academic side of her program: 

“I have taken four classes in total here while interning. I took Spanish my first month here—I’m doing the extended semester, so I finished that up in September… I am also taking Creative Leadership Skills, International Marketing Management, as well as Climate Change. They have all been super interesting; there’s such a big variety of classes, and I have absolutely loved them. We’ve went on field trips for most of them as well. 

In today’s interconnected world, employers frequently look for candidates with cross-cultural communication skills—a skill you’ll regularly practice if you intern abroad in Costa Rica. Below, Marie explains her part-time marketing internship in San José in more detail: 

“I am also interning with the international marketing department [at a university here], I do that 30 hours a week. It’s been really rewarding… I am usually working on the social media accounts as well as fixing up any of the promotions in the school… I really enjoy it. [My] supervisors are amazing. I also get the opportunity to help with bigger events… as well as most of the welcome activities. I also get a huge role in planning… all of those things, so it’s been super fun. Some other internships here are for marine biology research, business travel agency, wildlife monitoring and conservation, human rights, social work, and primary school. So many different options… I really, truly enjoy it…” 

Below, Marie explains why she chose this Study + Internship program in San José: 

“I am just a general marketing major, but with the Spanish minor, I am hoping to travel [for work] in the future. Getting the hands-on experience has really benefitted me and added to my overall experience.” 

Hear Marie describe some of her favorite things about Costa Rica: 

“My favorite things about Costa Rica are definitely the places I’ve gotten to see and how I’ve truly gotten to understand more about their culture. The places [I’ve visited] have been absolutely gorgeous, the temperature is always super nice, too… I’ve loved trying out snorkeling and ziplining; those are two things I’ve never done before this. I really can’t say there’s anything I’d change about my experience…” 

Discover all Costa Rica has to offer—study abroad in San José with AIFS Abroad like these college students did! 

AIFS Abroad offers a range of study and intern abroad programs in Costa Rica, each tailored to meet specific academic, personal, and professional preferences. Costa Rica offers unique opportunities to immerse yourself in its unmatched beauty, colorful Latin culture, and welcoming communities. Wherever you study abroad, go with AIFS Abroad and take advantage of our valuable program inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, trips and excursions, social and cultural activities, 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive insurance, and the support of our trusted on-site staff.