High School students study at the renowned Spanish Institute, ATESA, in Atenas, a picturesque Costa Rican town located in the central highlands. The program is a homestay experience and you will take Spanish classes in the mornings to improve your Spanish skills. Classes are usually 5 students to a teacher and students are placed in the level that is best suited for them. It doesn't matter how little or much Spanish you know!
Spanish language classes in Atenas, Costa Rica are taught at a private Spanish institute situated on a traditional Costa Rican farm amidst mango and orange trees. There are both indoor and outdoor classroom facilities, allowing you the option of an intimate experience among tropical surroundings. Outdoor classes are taught in the institute?s ranch houses and provides the student with a true sense of being in Central America. You will hear the sounds of tropical birds as you study Spanish with experienced professors. For a more private learning experience, or during inclement weather, the institute uses classroom space in the main building. You are certain to enjoy the intimate setting of learning Spanish in a small Costa Rican town!

Sessions:

- Summer

History & Size: ATESA has received international students and volunteers from around the world since 2004. The language school was co-founded by Atenas locals Mercedes Arias, a former Peace Corps and high school Spanish teacher, and Diego Barquero, an ESL and Spanish teacher who formerly taught at Hamilton College in New York. The mission of the school is to provide personalized attention and allow high school students to learn Spanish in a relaxed environment, free from tension and stress. The program emphasizes communication with a strong focus on real-life skills in social situations.

Accreditation: The school is certified by the Cervantes Institute. All professors have degrees in teaching Spanish as a foreign language.

Class Information: Classes are usually 3 to 5 students to a teacher and students are placed in the level that is best suited for them.

Facilities: Classes are taught at a private Spanish institute situated on a traditional Costa Rican farm amidst mango and orange trees. There are both indoor and outdoor classroom facilities, allowing you the option of an intimate experience among tropical surroundings. Outdoor classes are taught in the institute?s ranch houses and provides the student with a true sense of being in Central America. You will hear the sounds of tropical birds as you study Spanish with experienced professors. For a more private learning experience, or during inclement weather, the institute uses classroom space in the main building.

Teaching Style: You will find that the teaching style in other countries is different than what you are used to. If you have any concerns or questions about this when you are in Costa Rica, please ask your director! Our directors are always available to address any concerns you have regarding the academic component of the program.

Certificate: Your certificate is issued by ATESA and given to you after the completion of the program.

Address:

ATESA
Sabana Larga de Atenas
100 metros oeste de la entrada al Redondel (Campo Ferial)
Casa de balustres a mano izquierda
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Phone: +506-8898-4579

You will study at the Universidad Latina Heredia campus. Originally founded in 1986 as the Universidad Interamericana, the Universidad Latina is among the most renowned private universities in Costa Rica. As a member of the Laureate International network of higher education, it draws students from throughout Costa Rica and the world. The university is located on a spacious, modern campus landscaped with tropical plants, ficus, and pine trees. Students enjoy abundant green space for studying outside and playing intramural sports. First-rate academics combined with a beautiful locale make the Universidad Latina Heredia campus a world-class location to study abroad.

Sessions:

- Summer students interested in university credit (rising seniors or recently graduated seniors)
- Gap Semester
- Gap Year
- Winter Break
- Spring Break

History & Size: Universidad Latina Heredia campus is part of the ULatina system, which has 12 branches in Costa Rica. The Heredia campus alone enrolls about 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 35 different degree programs (17 bachillerato, 8 licenciatura, 3 diplomados, and 15 master programs). The university offers undergraduate programs in Business Administration, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising, Psychology, Information Systems Engineering, Pre-school Education, Special Education, Interior Design, Civil, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, and Architecture.

Accreditation: The Latin University of Costa Rica (Universidad Latina de Costa Rica), or ULatina, is a fully accredited university by the government of Costa Rica and is internationally recognized.

Class Information: Class size depends on the program you choose. Spanish language classes and electives, such as Latin American Civilization and Culture and Latin American Literature, are usually with 3 to 10 fellow study abroad students. Language and elective classes are typically held in the morning or afternoon Monday through Friday. Advanced-level Spanish students are encouraged to take classes with locals. Classes with locals range in size from 15 to 30 students. They are offered in the morning, afternoon, or evening, Monday to Friday.

Facilities: The state-of-the-art campus offers open-air and outdoor common areas, a full-size soccer field, a small outdoor basketball court, a cafeteria serving typical Costa Rican meals and pizza, and two open-air cafes for snacks or coffee between classes. There is an on-site copy center for printing and photocopying documents, library, indoor group and silent study areas, an internet lab, on-site nurse, and campus-wide wireless internet access. Student groups include a soccer team, theater group, and band.

Teaching Style: You may find that teaching styles abroad are different from what you are used to. Our directors are always available to address any concerns you have regarding the academic component of the program. With prior written notice, academic accommodations can be arranged for students with learning disabilities.

Transcript: Your transcript is issued by the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and is processed through the Sol Abroad office.

Address: Latin University of Costa Rica
Frente al Mall Paseo de las Flores
Heredia, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-2277-8000