UNIVERSITY OF VERITAS – 2012 / 2013
Spanish and Latin American Studies
4 weeks – $995 / Quarter – $3195
The Program
The University of Veritas is a fully accredited university by the Ministry of Education in Costa Rica. The program offers a total “immersion” concept and stresses academic excellence as well as enabling students to enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer. Founded in 1975, the university was first a private school, but is now an independent institution of higher education with over 1500 students. English elective courses are also available!
It’s courses and degrees have been transferred to other universities around the world, and overall has an excellent reputation within the Latin American academic community. Foreign students earn college credit upon completing the program and having their transcript sent to their home school. The campus is located 1 kilometer West from the Presidential house in Zapote, San Jose.
The Location
San José is the capital of Costa Rica and its San José Province is located on the central plateau of the country. Situated at an altitude of about 1170 m (about 3840 ft), it is the nation’s largest city and a commercial, manufacturing, transportation, and cultural center for the surrounding agricultural region, in which coffee, sugarcane, and livestock are raised. Government activities and tourism are also important to the city’s economic base. San José, which contains a mix of colonial Spanish-style structures and modern architecture, is the site of the University of Costa Rica (1843), which includes the Tropical Studies Organization and the Latin American Demographic Center; the National Library; and the National Archives.
Points of interest include the National Museum, featuring displays of art and natural history materials; a museum with exhibits of religious art and artifacts; an 18th-century cathedral; and the National Theater. Costa Rica is one of the few stable, democratic republics in Latin America, and has the highest standard of living in Central America. San Jose is the capital with almost 1,000,000 population and it boasts a spring-like climate year-around. Rain forests, unspoiled beaches, coral reefs, white water rivers, and volcanoes can be reached within a few hours by car.
Source: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
Courses
All levels of Spanish grammar, composition, and conversation are offered. Courses in Spanish and English are offered.
4 hours of class offered per day, 20 hours per week, is provided in the monthly intensive program. The 12 week-Quarterly term offers 3 Spanish language courses, and one(1) Spanish Elective course taught in English or Spanish. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels are available, all with a “total immersion” concept. Students take a written and oral placement exam upon arrival, and then are placed in the proper level course. The Spanish language courses consist of 11 different courses in Spanish grammar and conversation (applied linguistics). All levels evaluate oral, listening, reading, and writing assignments.
Students who are enrolled in the 12 week-Quarterly sessions, complement their language courses with one(1) introductory course taught in English, such as Arts and Humanities, History of Latin American Architecture, Costa Rican Cultural Issues, and Photography. Again, these extra courses are taught in English and are included in the program fee. Thus, students take 3 Spanish courses and 1 Elective course. Elective course list available upon arrival check-in.
Students who are very advanced in their Spanish proficiency can take the one (1) elective course in Spanish. More advanced Cultural Elective courses are taught in Spanish, such as in Literature, Philosophy, Business and Economics, and Environmental studies. A course list will be available upon arrival and check-in.
You must take the placement test first to determine level, and be considered “Advanced” in order to take these other Spanish electives.
Spanish 101 – Basic 1
Spanish 102 – Basic 2
Spanish 100 – Basic Conversation
Spanish 201 – Intermediate 1
Spanish 202 – Intermediate 2
Spanish 240 – Intermediate Conversation
Spanish 301 – Advanced 1
Spanish 302 – Advanced 2
Spanish 340 – Expression Oral y Escrita 1
Spanish 341 – Expression Oral y Escrita 2
Spanish 304 – Business Spanish
English Electives
ARCH 311 – History of Latin American Art & Architecture
HUM 350 – Latin American Art & Culture
ETHN 310 – Selected Topics in Afro-Caribbean Studies
ECON 340 – Intro to International Economics in LA
GEB 335 – Into to International Business
ENV 300 – Environmental Impact and Social Development
ENV 304 – Tropical Ecology
ENV 319 – Tropical Marine Biology
HIS 230 – Contemporary Latin American History
HIS 329 – Costa Rican Economic Development
HIS 323 – Costa Rican Health Care System
POL 250 – Human Rights in Latin America / European History
POL 345 – International Relations in Latin America
POL 356 – International Politics in Middle East
* Spanish and Elective course descriptions available upon request.
* Elective courses only available during the 12 week – Quarterly terms.
Academic Credit
Students earn 4 – 15 credits for completing courses. Upon completion, transcripts (Certificate) is available from the University of Veritas…..stating the courses taken, number of hours, and grade given. The monthly language courses are 4 hours per day, 20 hours per week. The quarterly term is 3 hours of Spanish and 1 elective course – also 20 hours per week. Course descriptions available upon request.
Financial Aid
Yes, you can use your financial aid on this program. Please have your Financial Aid office e-mail us a “Consortium Agreement” to complete and sign. CSA does not offer any scholarships or financial aid, we can only assist you in using your home school’s financial aid on this program.
The earlier the better, since it takes time to process. Overall, CSA does not offer any financial aid, we can only assist you in obtaining and using your aid from your home school on these programs.
Activities
Extracurricular activities cost extra and may include:
* Free tropical dance lessons weekly.
* Nearby fitness center.
* Soccer team tournaments.
* Conversation Partner program with Costa Rican students.
* Typical Latin American food cooking lessons.
* Museums, Artisans Market, and other excursions cost extra.
* Weekend trips to beaches and mountain areas (not included in fee), such as the National Park
Housing
Students stay with local host families. The host families are carefully selected and are located within walking distance. $600 per month, private room + half-board.
Private room is provided as well as two(2) meals daily. Bed linens are provided, and laundry service is also included weekly. Families are from the middle class and have hosted foreign students previously. CSA will provide you with your family-housing confirmation prior to arriving.
If you prefer to arrange your own housing, that’s fine with CSA. There are student type apartments there, but you need to arrange it there.
Dates and Fees
WINTER QUARTER 2012
| Jan 9th – Mar 30th, 2012 | $3195 | Spanish & Elective Courses |
WINTER 4 WEEKS 2012
| Jan 9th – Feb 3rd, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| Feb 6th – Mar 2nd, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| Mar 5th – 30th, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
SPRING QUARTER 2012
| April 9th – June 29th, 2012 | $3195 | Spanish & Elective Courses |
SPRING 4 WEEKS 2012
| April 9th – May 4th, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| May 7th – June 1st, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
SUMMER SESSIONS 2012
Intensive Spanish
4 hrs per day / 80 hrs per month
| 4 weeks | June 4th – 29th, 2012 | $995 |
| 4 weeks | July 9th – August 3rd, 2012 | $995 |
| 4 weeks | August 6th – 31st, 2012 | $995 |
| 5 weeks | July 9th – August 10th, 2012 Spanish + Elective (Environment) |
$1895 |
| 8 weeks | June 4th – August 3rd, 2012 | $1695 |
| 8 weeks | July 9th – August 31st, 2012 | $1695 |
| 12 weeks | June 4th – August 31st, 2012 | $2495 |
*Similar dates in 2013
Summer Break: July 2nd – 6th, 2012
FALL QUARTER 2012
| October 1st – December 21st, 2012 | $3195 | Spanish & Elective Courses |
FALL 4 WEEKS 2012
| September 3rd – 28th, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| October 1st – 26th, 2012 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
WINTER QUARTER 2013
| January 7th – March 29th, 2013 | $3195 | Spanish & Elective Courses |
WINTER 4 WEEKS 2013
| Jan 7th – Feb 1st, 2013 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| Feb 4th – Mar 1st, 2013 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| Mar 4th – 29th, 2013 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
SPRING QUARTER 2013
| April 8th – June 28th, 2013 | $3195 | Spanish & Elective Courses |
SPRING 4 WEEKS 2013
| Apr 8th – May 3rd, 2013 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| May 6th – 31st, 2013 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
| June 3rd – 28th, 2013 | $995 | Spanish Intensive Courses |
Similar dates in 2013 / 2014
Holidays
Easter Break (Holy Week): April 1st – 8th, 2012
Summer Break: July 2nd – 6th, 2012
Christmas / New Years: Dec 16th, 2012 – Jan 7th, 2013
Requirements
Programs are open to all adults. High school students, college students teachers, working adults, professionals, and retired persons are all encouraged to apply. Minimum age is 18. 17 years of age may apply with parental consent.
Entry
Valid Passport is required. Tourist card issued upon arrival at the airport. U.S. citizens must have onward/return ticket. For stays longer than 90 days, you must apply for an extension within the first week of visiting. For stays longer than 90 days, visitors must have an AIDS test performed in Costa Rica.
Arrival
Plan on arriving on 1-2 days prior to starting date (on weekend). Airport-pick up service is available. You may arrive a few days earlier if desired, but it will cost $20 per day if staying with a host family. Please inform CSA your flight arrival information, so the host family can meet you upon arrival at the airport.
Country Information
Currency: Colon-CRC
Electricity: 110V AC, 60 Hz
Int’l dialing code: 506
Departure Tax: Yes
Registration and Information
Register online. CSA Registration Deposit of $45 USD required to be fully registered. Can pay online by credit card. CSA also accepts personal checks, cashier checks, money orders, wire transfer, or direct deposit. Please review the “Register Overview” section for details. We will send an e-mail confirmation receipt and additional information shortly after receiving your online registration form. Thank you.
