Costa Rica: Heredia - Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies

My experience in Costa Rica was great. I met new lifelong friends and gained mentors as well. My professors were amazing and always available for any questions. The staff for my program were tremendously helpful and kind. The trips that staff set up for the students were perfect; they were so memorable and in beautiful, breathtaking places. I would highly recommend studying abroad to anyone who has the chance to do so. I will forever cherish the memories I was able to make on my study abroad trip.

This program exceeded all of my expectations. I was impressed with every part from our resident directors to our group trips as well as our professors. Our directors always had their office open if we wanted to just come in and chat, needed help planning a trip, or had any concerns about our homestay or academics. Our included trips were extremely fun, and I always learned something new. My classes contributed significantly to my Spanish fluency, and our professors really cared about us and our success.

I had a great time while exploring the country. One of my top two favorite places to go was Monteverde and Quepos. I have always dreamed of going ziplinning and finally got to experience the very best for three hours! All while being pretty cheap for all that we got to see and do. In Quepos some of my friends I made while in program went on a catamaran with me and we had a blast, saw dolphins and made the best of our time there. The school program was very challenging for me but overall I'm glad I did it.

From an incredible host mama and abuela, to a great supportive staff at USAC, I would and have recommended this trip to all my enthusiastic Spanish studying friends. My confidence in the language grew so much after spending four months in Costa Rica. All of the locals were very supportive to help me learn and patient with me as I was practicing. Along with learning the language, the food, nature, and academic opportunities at the school, and country, offered continued to amaze me. I highly recommend the field study classes and traveling while abroad. Every area of Costa Rica was so rich in experience I couldn’t imagine having a better experience anywhere else.

I wish my time in Costa Rica could have been longer. I loved getting to know my host family and learning to speak Spanish more fluently with them (I accidentally told my host mom that my brothers died from cat allergies instead of that they are deathly allergic to cats). My professor made course work fun and applicable to everything I was doing while in Heredia. During my three weeks, I felt that I became part of the community in Heredia. I knew the city and walked it’s streets as someone who lived there (even though I got lost many times). The markets were filled with experiences - new food, fruits, spices, souvenirs, art, and more. I learned to dance several typical Spanish dances and practiced them at bars and dance events around the city. I was able to travel with friends and my USAC group to different areas of the country on the weekend to explore the culture and biodiversity. This experience for me improved my Spanish tenfold, introduced me to beautiful locations and wonderful people, introduced me to new culture that made me also reflect on my own, developed a community for me of friends and mentors who supported my growth and I am still in contact with today! I love Heredia, Costa Rica - my home of 3 weeks.

Completing this academically intensive program that lasted for 10 months was one of my life's crowning achievements and first successes along with my military service as an officer.

I don't think there is any other study abroad country where one can advance as quickly in Spanish as USAC's program in Costa Rica. I took an equivalent of 3 years of university level Spanish in 1 year. The professors and administrative staff were the warmest and most supportive people i've ever encoutered anywhere in the world and our committed to every student's success which falls nothing short of accompanying me to doctor's appointments or meeting me outside of school to tutor me. No hubiera podido hacer este programa con éxito sin su apoyo! Which means roughly "I would not have been able to do this program successfully without their support" to demonstrate the uses of haber which fallows a participio.

Though there are also many ery fun scheduled group activities as well where you can cultivate lifelong frienships and great memories.

I would recommend anyone to study abroad if they have the chance and if they are interested in learning Spanish and about Latin America I would put the USAC Heredia program on the top of the list!

I spent my junior year of college in Heredia, Costa Rica (2016-2017) and after two host families, countless hostiles, and one apartment I returned to the states without regrets.
At the beginning of my study abroad program search I knew that I wanted to be in a Spanish speaking country but the only Spanish I knew started and ended at "Hola." Sad, I know but I was semi determined to actually using my Doulingo app during the summer leading up to my trip, which got me to introductions and colors.
Price and location came next but my heart was sold on Costa Rica after watching the hundreds of travel videos on YouTube. I couldn’t believe how picturesque it seemed and I wanted to see for myself. Most people would probably just book a long weekend but no, I dedicate a full academic year to this hunch.
After spending roughly nine months in Costa Rica I can wholeheartedly say over and over again that the country lived up to its picturesque moments with so much more than I could have ever imagine.
This trip changed my life in the most cheesy and redundant way and I owe it all to the beautiful people I met along the way, my program advisors, my squad, y yo, Kayla.

Spending a semester in Heredia, Costa Rica with USAC was one of the best decisions I have ever made! From the first day that I landed at the airport to the day that I left, USAC staff and my host family made me feel safe, welcome, and cared for on a personal level. The country itself welcomed me as I explored beaches, waterfalls, jungles and volcanoes. I made lifelong friends and a lifetime of memories. I am so thankful to USAC staff for guiding me, teaching me, and ensuring that I enjoyed my stay. I am also immensely thankful for my host family who made the best comida and gave me a home away from home. I would not trade my time in Costa Rica for anything, and I hope to experience the Pura Vida lifestyle again very soon.