Students International - Costa Rica

VISION

Join Students International for a semester of ministry and cultural exploration in the beauty and diversity of Costa Rica. Through a combination of study, service, travel, and lively interaction with local residents, you can begin to uncover the richness of Costa Rican life.

SI-Costa Rica is based in Costa Rica’s central valley in the area called Desamparados on the outskirts of the capital city of San José. It is a mountainous region with higher altitudes (3000 feet above sea level).

This program combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience at community ministry sites. Experienced missionaries from Costa Rica and the U.S. run SI’s ministry sites year-round and are committed to a long-term presence within the community. Students will stay in carefully selected host homes within walking distance or a short bus ride from their ministry sites.

As a SI-Costa Rica participant, you will live and learn alongside the entire SI-Costa Rica team through classes, debriefing, Bible studies, family nights, and other community-building events. Staff live minutes away, accompany students on all program-sponsored excursions, and actively disciple and mentor students. Additional support is provided by SI staff before, during, and after your semester.

This program is for Spanish majors and minors who want to perfect their language skills. All coursework is in Spanish and daily interactions with host families and ministry sites are almost entirely in Spanish.

Check out Students International's Instagram for up-to-date info, photos, and more!

QUALIFICATIONS

Students wishing to apply to Students International must:

• Have Sophomore standing or above
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Be a Spanish major or minor

CREDIT

• Earn a total of 18 credits. The rigorous academic courses are taught by both Costa Rican and U.S. professors. Course instruction and student assignments are all in Spanish.
• Specific Courses:
  • Mission in Latin American Contexts (4 Credits)
  • Peoples and Cultures of Costa Rica (4 Credits)
  • Literature and Culture of Spanish America II (4 Credits)
  • Advanced Spanish Grammar and Communication (4 Credits)
  • Internship in Costa Rica (2 Credits)

COSTS

The Global Education Office will work with Student Financial Services to reassess each applicant's institutional aid for their off-campus semester. Institutional aid includes Gordon-awarded merit scholarships and grants, honors program awards, and major-or department-specific awards. Federal and private aid will not be affected. Factors in the reassessment process include financial need, GEO program flexibility within your major/minor, and program cost. SFS will provide a breakdown of costs to each student after their approval has been issued by the GEO.

The cost of study at Costa Rica includes:

• Tuition
• Room (students stay in carefully selected homestays)
• Meals (breakfast and dinner eaten in host family home, and a lunch is packed to go)
• All associated academic fees
• Excursion fees

Not covered:

• Flights
• Personal expenses
• Independent travel

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINES

All Gordon students applying to this program must first submit an online seat application to the Global Education Office before applying directly to your program. Fall and Spring seat applications must be submitted to the GEO by March 1.

After the Global Education Office has notified you of your approval, you may then proceed with the program's application. See Students International's website for more information on application and deadlines. 

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