Spanish, Ecological and Latin American Studies
Why Study in Puntarenas?
The summer Puntarenas program is ideal for students interested in studying the Spanish language and diverse cultures of Latin America in a small beach town. Through formal coursework and personal interaction with the host culture, you will greatly expand your language skills and knowledge of Costa Rican society. Puntarenas offers a small town environment where you’ll be able to practice your Spanish regularly and immerse yourself in local culture. Costa Rica as a whole is well known for its extraordinary natural beauty, preserved in its many national parks and reserves, which you will have the opportunity to discover firsthand.
The summer Puntarenas 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 part of the value of the program. Participation in homestays, field trips to the Pacific coast, the rain forest and volcanoes, as well as experiencing cultural events and village festivals also form an integral part of the program.
The Puntarenas program has a Resident Director who is responsible for the overall operations of the program abroad: securing appropriate student housing, hiring outstanding faculty, organizing exciting field trips and optional tours and overseeing your general well-being.
Dr. Carlos Salas, a Costa Rica native, is the Resident Director for the Puntarenas program and a fourteen year veteran of USAC. Carlos earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and is fluent in Spanish and English. He will meet the group flight at the airport, take you to your housing and provide an on-site orientation. The USAC Puntarenas office staff also provides support and resources while you are on the program.