Spanish, Ecological and Latin American Studies
Why Study in Heredia?
The summer Heredia program is ideal for students who are interested in learning the Spanish language and diverse cultures of Latin America. Through formal coursework and personal interaction with the host culture, you will greatly expand your language skills and knowledge of Costa Rican society. Costa Rica is well known for its extraordinary natural beauty, preserved in many national parks and reserves. You will have an opportunity to discover this firsthand as well as explore the highlights of the capital.
The summer Heredia program offers two 5-week sessions as well as an intensive language approach that allows you to complete one semester of university foreign language coursework in 5 weeks, or a year in 10 weeks. You may participate in one or both sessions and combine courses from the following subject areas: Intensive Spanish Language, Ecological Studies and Latin American Studies.
However, the academic courses are only a part of the intended value of a summer abroad. Participation in homestays, field trips to the Pacific coast, the rain forest and volcanoes, and experiencing cultural events and village festivals also forms an integral part of the program.
The Heredia program has a Resident Director who is responsible for the USAC office abroad and the overall operations of the program: securing appropriate student housing, hiring outstanding faculty, organizing exciting field trips and optional tours and overseeing your general well-being.
Ileana Saborio, a Costa Rica native, is the Resident Director for the Heredia program and is a fourteen year veteran of USAC. Ileana was a Fulbright Scholar and earned her M.A. in Applied Linguistics at Ohio University. She has been a professor at the Universidad Nacional in Heredia for over 20 years and has been teaching USAC courses in Heredia since the program was established. Ileana will meet the group flight at the airport, take you to your housing and provide an on-site orientation. She and the USAC Heredia office staff will also provide support and resources while you are on the program.