University of Costa Rica |
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AT A GLANCE:
Homepage:
http://www.studyabroad.ku.edu/~osa/
Location:
San Jose, Costa Rica
Language:
Spanish
Cost (2006-2007):
Year: $7,300 (Res.)
Semester: $14,300 (Res.)
Subjects:
Agronomy, architecture, business, dentistry, economics, education, engineering, fine arts, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, sciences, social sciences, social work
Application Deadline:
Spring: October 1
Fall: March 1
Housing:
Host families
Download as a PDF file:
CostaRicaKansas.pdf |
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The University Community |
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The University of Costa Rica (Ciudad Universitaria Facio) was founded in 1843. Although originally located in Santo Tomas, it was re-established with nine colleges in the capital city of San Jose in March, 1941. With a student body of around 39,000 students, the University now has eleven colleges, including a college of medicine which was opened in 1961. Located on a sprawling, green campus, the university's buildings are modern and new.
San Jose is a bustling, modern city of almost a million people, whose buildings reflect both the best of twentieth century architecture and the Spanish colonial style. The cultural, political, and business center of Costa Rica, San Jose is situated in the Meseta Central. The city’s urban vibrance combines pleasingly with the occasional farmer making his way slowly through traffic with the striking, hand-painted oxcart that has long been a Costa Rica trademark. Just outside of the city limits are pine groves, waterfalls, streams, and rocky gorges.
Costa Rica is recognized as the most stable of all Latin American countries. Politically, it is among the more democratic nations in the hemisphere. Its tropical location produces a great quantity of ecological life zones and a staggering variety of plants and animals. The Atlantic and Pacific beaches, the magnificent volcanoes, and the rain forests are easily accessible to curious visitors. |
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Courses of Study |
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A full range of subject areas is available to participants in the study abroad program at the University of Costa Rica, as are ample research facilities in all fields on the new and modern campus. Faculties include agronomy, architecture, business, dentistry, economics, education, engineering, fine arts, journalism, all traditional liberal arts and sciences departments, law, medicine, microbiology, pharmacy, and social work. In addition, an independent study program is available for well-qualified students. Research facilities include the Office of Tropical Studies field stations, the Inter-American Agricultural Institute at Turrialba, the NationalArchives, and the Institute of Central American Studies. |
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Living Arrangements |
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Like many European universities, the University of Costa Rica has no dormitories. Costa Rican students generally live in pensiones (rented rooms) or with host families, and commute by bus or by foot to the university. Program participants are usually required to live with a host Costa Rican family, which provides one of the best means to improve language proficiency and helps to immerse the student in the daily life of Costa Rica. Most Costa Ricans who make homes for UNL students have been housing American students for years. These families have been carefully selected and therefore are accustomed to and ready to help with the adjustments American students have to make in another country. After the first semester has been completed, students may, with university approval, seek independent housing in a pension. |
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Duration |
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Before each semester, new students in the program participate in a mandatory four-week orientation taught by professors from the University of Costa Rica. The first semester of the academic year begins in late February and goes into July; the second semester is from late July to December. |
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Type of Program |
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The University of Costa Rica program is co-sponsored by UNL and the University of Kansas. The University of Kansas administers the program and makes the final selection of participants. The University of Kansas (known in Costa Rica as “Grupo de Kansas”) provides on-site advisors at the University of Costa Rica for participating American students. Students remain eligible for regular financial aid; some scholarships may also be applied to the program. Credits earned on the program are transferable to UNL upon return by University of Kansas transcript. |
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Am I eligible to apply? |
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Any UNL student, sophomore through graduate level, is eligible to apply. Students must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work by the time the program begins, and must have a 3.0 GPA. Spanish proficiency is required -- the equivalent of 19 semester hours of college-level Spanish, with a 3.0 average. |
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When should I apply? |
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Fall Semester deadline: March 1
Spring Semester deadline: October 1 |
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Applications |
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How much will it cost? |
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Program cost for 2006-2007 $7,300 semester and the academic year program is $14,300(estimated). This includes instructional costs, room and board for the academic period, orientation, group activities and field trips, partial health insurance, and student visa. Not included are transportation (group flight option), books, and personal expenses. |
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What about transportation? |
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A list of suggestions for student discounted airfare is available from International Affairs. |
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What else will I need? |
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Passport pictures; passport and visa information; books and materials about living, traveling, and working abroad are available in the International Affairs resource center at 420 University Terrace, 472-5358. |
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Can I get more information? |
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Complete course descriptions, more program information are available at International Affairs at 420 University Terrace, Lincoln, NE 68588-0682.
 Academics: Students should request the name of the faculty adviser from International Affairs for discussing general academic information about study in Costa Rica and at the University of Costa Rica. Students should also discuss study plans with their regular academic advisers.
Financial Aid: For information about applying your financial aid to study abroad programs, contact Caroline Routh, (402) 472-2030, in the UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Administrative Details: For applications and details about studying abroad, transferring credit, etc., see additional handout materials or contact a study abroad advisor at International Affairs, 420 University Terrace; 472-5358.
Related Programs: Additional UNL programs in Costa Rica include UCR-San Ramon and Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Heredia (ISEP) and Veritas University in San Jose (ISA). Many other programs in Spanish are offered in other Latin American countries and Spain.
Contact :
International Affairs
420 University Terrace
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588-0682
(402) 472-5358
E-mail: iaffairs@unl.edu |
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