Summer in Costa Rica - Sustainability & Service-Learning (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain an in-depth understanding of Costa Rica’s sustainability practices through service-learning opportunities in San José and the rural community of Finca La Flor.
• Earn 6 credits taking two required courses — a Spanish language course taught at a level matching your fluency, and Sustainability Practices & Food Security taught in English.
• Immerse yourself in a 4-week program where you will spend the first two weeks studying Spanish and serving in the local community, and the last two weeks learning about food security and contributing to the community farm.
LIFE ABROAD
Spend your summer in a country where misty mountains, vibrant markets, and tropical rain shape everyday life. From the rhythm of San José to the slower pace of rural Costa Rica, you will find yourself surrounded by biodiversity, fresh local ingredients, and a culture deeply connected to land and community.
Experience & Cultural Engagement
Begin your program in San José, where you will get a tour of the city, take Spanish classes, and engage in community service in urban locations with ICDS’ community partners for two weeks. Then spend the next two weeks learning about sustainability practices in rural Costa Rica while working alongside community members at Finca La Flor. Each week, you will take classes Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays, you’ll participate in included activities like a coffee plantation tour, cooking classes, Latin dance workshops and visits to a local indigenous community. Connect with Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems through included field trips to locations such as the beach at Punta Leona or the mountains in Cartago.
Live & Dine
For the first three weeks, students live with a local Spanish-speaking family in San José. After experiencing the cultural capital of San José, students will travel to Finca La Flor in Cartago for the Sustainability Practices and Food Security course, where students immerse themselves in the culture of rural Costa Rica by living on site at the local Finca. Two meals a day during the week (breakfast and dinner) and three meals on weekends are included during the homestay portion of the program. All meals are included at Finca La Flor.
Explore Costa Rica
In your free time, embrace Costa Rica’s outdoor culture by zip-lining through the rainforest, hiking to waterfalls, surfing along the coast or soaking in natural hot springs. Travel by bus to destinations like Volcán Arenal, Monteverde, Río Celeste or Volcán Irazú to experience volcanoes, cloud forests and turquoise rivers that showcase the country’s remarkable biodiversity.
What We Love About This Program
We love that this program pairs Spanish language immersion with hands-on experience at Finca La Flor, allowing you to participate in local sustainability practices while building meaningful cultural connections.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
Students enroll in two courses during the program, earning a total of 6 U.S. credits. They will take one Spanish course during their time in San Jose, and the Sustainablity Practices & Food Security in Rural Costa Rica course while at Finca La Flor.
Course Descriptions & Syllabi
Sustainability Practices & Food Security in Rural Costa Rica
This course takes place on Finca La Flor in the province of Cartago and consists of a hands-on opportunity to learn about food security, sustainable farming techniques, and ecology in Costa Rica. Participating students in this three-week course will be exposed to and have a chance to work in the following main areas at Finca La Flor:
Water management: As in any farm involving agriculture and animal husbandry, the demand for water is high. Although the farm has policies and has implemented techniques to regulate and reduce the consumption of potable water, water management in the farm has room for improvement.
Organic agriculture: Excessive use of agrochemicals in conventional agriculture in the area has caused serious damage and degradation of the land. Thus, the farm has said 'No' to using chemicals and uses organic agriculture instead to avoid air pollution and food contamination.
Spanish Language
ICDS Spanish language courses are taught at three levels:
| Basic | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Basic Spanish I | Intermediate Spanish I | Advanced Spanish Grammar & Composition |
| Basic Spanish II | Intermediate Spanish II | Advanced Spanish for Oral Communication |
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Students will complete a written and oral exam to verify Spanish proficiency before they are formally assigned a level for their Spanish language course.
Passport: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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