Important Dates
Tentative Travel Dates: May 17 – June 13, 2026
Interest Meetings: View on Office of Education Abroad event calendar here.
Scholarship Application Deadline: November 2, 2025
Application and Deposit Deadline: January 15, 2026
Program Description
Students who education abroad in Costa Rica live with Costa Rican host families and attend classes five hours a day (Monday to Thursday) at the Costa Rican Language Academy. Students will earn credit for 6 hours of electives. Normally these courses required for the major or minor in Spanish must be taken in residence. Approval by School of Languages and Literatures is required. Students have a mixture of planned activities and free time to explore Costa Rica.
In addition, CRLA offers the following services for UCA students: Latin Dance Classes, weekly conversation classes, weekly Costa Rican cooking classes, 24-hour airport pick-up, books and class materials, Internet service & wireless internet access, telephone access for local calls & mail service, fresh coffee & fruit refreshments, wholesaler tour rates for students (optional excursions/activities), travel arrangements, bus ticket purchase and hotel reservations.
You can find out more about the program from our alum, Macklin Luke. Watch her interview here.
Health and Safety
Students registering for programs should carefully read through all health and safety information provided during the application process. In addition, students should honestly complete the ‘Health and Safety Form’ so that any health related concerns may be adequately accommodated on study abroad programs.
Participants will be enrolled in comprehensive international insurance for the duration of programming. It is the student’s responsibility to extend insurance cover if they stay abroad beyond UCA’s planned program dates. For information about international insurance coverage: https://uca.edu/globalstudy/health-and-safety/
Students must attend one health and safety meeting during the spring semester. Meeting dates will be announced after the application deadlines.
Course Offerings
SPAN 3398 TRAVEL SEMINAR ABROAD
SPAN 3340 INTENSE ORAL PRACTICE ABROAD SPANISH
HONC 3310 credit may also be offered to students currently admitted to Schedler Honors College.
Please note that Spanish prerequisites are required for this program. Contact the assisting faculty for more information.
Assisting Faculty Leader
Dr. Travis Sorenson is a professor of Spanish Linguistics. He has lived and traveled in more than a dozen Spanish-speaking countries and has taught college Spanish for twenty years. Dr. Sorenson has accompanied students on Spanish immersion trips abroad for several years, mostly in Costa Rica but also in Spain.
Contact Dr. Travis Sorenson for more information on courses and credits.
Program Cost
The 2025 program cost can be viewed here. Once available, the 2026 program cost will be posted here.
For information about international insurance coverage: https://uca.edu/globalstudy/health-and-safety/