Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore
Location: Americas, Costa Rica
GPA: 2.5
Applications for Winter Quarter close on 11/01/2025

Program Overview

The Education and Psychology in Costa Rica program combines Spanish language learning, academic coursework, and an internship. Over the course of three modules (each three weeks long), you’ll build a strong cultural foundation and gain real-world experience in education or social services, all while living with a local host family.

Module I: Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion
Your program begins with a focus on cultural immersion and language development. You’ll move in with your host family (all meals provided) and take one Spanish course (5 credits) at your appropriate level—Survival Spanish (100 level), Intermediate Spanish (200 level), or History & Culture of Costa Rica (300 level). Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have a background in Spanish, this module is designed to prepare you for your coursework and internship.

Module II: Educational Psychology and Part-Time Internship
In the second module, you’ll begin your internship while also taking Educational Psychology (4 credits, taught in English). Classes are held in the afternoons so that you can spend your mornings at your internship site. Internship options include teaching English in local elementary schools or working with nonprofits/NGOs in the social services sector. You’ll be placed at one site that aligns with your interests and past experience, allowing you to develop deeper relationships and skills as you continue your internship into the next module.

Module III: Full-Time Internship
The final three weeks are fully dedicated to your internship. You’ll work full-time alongside local professionals in your chosen setting—whether in education or social services—applying the concepts you’ve learned in class and gaining practical, hands-on experience that will strengthen your understanding of cross-cultural education and psychology.

Additional Program Highlights:
• Two weekend excursions and several day-long trips to locations such as Ark Herb Farm, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Arenal Volcano.
• Cultural activities like traditional Costa Rican cooking and dance classes, as well as guided city tours.

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Winter Quarter 2026 11/01/2025 01/17/2026 03/21/2026

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

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Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Students will enroll in the following courses

SPAN 188/288/388: Spanish Language Course (5 credits):
Choose one Spanish course to take during the first three weeks of the program:

  • SPAN 188 – Beginner Spanish (100-level)
  • SPAN 288 – Intermediate Spanish (200-level)
  • SPAN 388 – History & Culture of Costa Rica (300-level)
    Equivalent to SPAN 301, 303, or 305, and it can also count as a SPAN elective
    • Prerequisite for SPAN 388: SPAN 203 or native/heritage speaker proficiency.

EDST/FHS 388: Educational Psychology (4 credits):
This course, taught in English through Universidad Hispanoamericana (UH), examines cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and adolescents, along with key learning theories such as constructivism and behavioral approaches. The course emphasizes cross-cultural perspectives on education and prepares you to integrate theory with your internship experience.

  • Education Foundations -- This course has been approved as equivalent to EDST 332 for majors or as an Equal Opportunity course for minors. If you have already completed these requirements, please meet with your academic advisor to determine how this course may be applied instead.
  • Family and Human Services -- This course has been approved to count towards the FHS Professional Depth degree requirement.

GLBL 488: Internship (4 credits, 120 hours):
Gain practical, hands-on experience through a supervised internship that spans Modules II and III. Internship placements are customized to your interests and background, with opportunities including teaching English in local elementary schools or working with nonprofits and NGOs in the social services sector. You will engage in meaningful cross-cultural learning, contributing to community projects while developing professional and intercultural skills.

  • Education Foundations -- This internship has been approved to count as EDST 388 Field Experience or EDST 406 Secondary Field Experience. If you have already completed these requirements, please meet with your academic advisor to determine how this course may be applied instead.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Adriana Apuy Rojas is an experienced bilingual educator with over 20 years of teaching and academic leadership across Costa Rica and the United States. She holds a Master’s degree in Psicopedagogía from ULASALLE and a Licentiate in Bilingual Preschool Education at Universidad Hispanoamericana. Adriana has served as a professor of education, practicum supervisor, and kindergarten immersion teacher, with expertise in curriculum development, educational intervention, and teacher training. She brings a strong background in bilingual education, neuroeducation, and innovative teaching methodologies, including STEAM, gamification, and mindfulness coaching.

Janiva Cifuentes-Hiss – Director of Strategic Partnerships (Arcos Headquarters)
Janiva Cifuentes-Hiss has over 20 years of experience in study abroad designing and leading transformative programs across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Janiva graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Latin American Studies and studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain. She served as Costa Rica Resident Director from 2007–2020 and currently works for Arcos Headquarters where she collaborates with GEO to create immersive customized programs and internships for University of Oregon students. 

Catalina Ovares – Costa Rica Resident Director
Catalina (Cata) is a native of Atenas, Costa Rica. She is a certified naturalist guide with extensive experience leading study abroad programs in Costa Rica. She is CPR and First Aid certified and enjoys soccer, horseback riding, and adventure sports. Catalina is responsible for reservations, logistics, and "behind the scenes program" planning for GEO programs for University of Oregon students. 

Angélica Pérez – Costa Rica Program Director
Angélica (Angie) is from San José, Costa Rica, and has decades of experience leading study abroad programs in Costa Rica. She is a certified bilingual tour Guide, is First Aid and CPR certified, and is trained in leading groups with disabilities. She is very knowledgeable about culture, biodiversity and natural history. Angie leads all Arcos cultural activities and excursions, and is available to support University of Oregon students abroad with health, safety, and cultural immersion. She is on-call in case of emergencies 24/7. 

Adriana Campos – Costa Rica Program Director
Adriana Campos is from Heredia, Costa Rica, and is a certified tour guide and has many years of experience in ecotourism, volunteer coordination, and environmental education. She is First Aid and CPR certified, has led workshops at the National Biodiversity Institute and is a certified children’s yoga instructor.  Adri leads all Arcos cultural activities and excursions, and is available to support University of Oregon students abroad with health, safety, and cultural immersion. She is on-call in case of emergencies 24/7. 

Spanish faculty from the International Polytechnic University (UPI)

Housing Description

Students will be placed in groups of two to three students per homestay in Heredia, Costa Rica. Homestays provide three meals a day and are conveniently located within walking distance of each other and the classrooms. All but two meals will be provided each month, but students will likely want to go out to restaurants for a few nights on their own.

This arrangement offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, practice their Spanish language skills in a real-world setting, and experience the warmth and hospitality of a “Tico” family. Homestays also provide a safe and supportive environment, helping students to fully engage with their surroundings and make the most of their study abroad experience.

Budget and Price

Education and Psychology in Costa Rica

2026 Winter Quarter

Program Fees Paid to GEO
UO Study Abroad Fee* $500
Program Tuition $5,515
Housing & Included Meals $3,190
Insurance $195
Other Estimated Expenses
Estimated Airfare from Eugene $900
Estimated Additional Meals $200
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $125
Estimated Travel Clinic & Pre-departure physical $50
Estimated Cost of acquiring passport $150
Estimated Additional Living Expenses $200
Total
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $11,200

Included in Program Costs: Program Tuition, Medical insurance, Pre-departure and on-site support, Excursions, Housing on weekend excursion, Homestay, Most meals, Course materials, On-site orientation.

Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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