ICDS: N.U.in Costa Rica Study Abroad Program
The International Center for Development Studies has teamed up with Northeastern University to provide a study abroad program for accepted NU students prior to their first semester. The N.U.in Costa Rica program gives high school graduates over the age of 18 the chance to experience living and studying in San Jose, Costa Rica. Studies will revolve around the culture, history, human development, and environmental studies in the beautiful Latin American country. Spanish language courses are also a big part of the program, which is further emphasized through home-stays with carefully selected local host families. Gaining international study experience, coupled with college credit and a further understanding of the Spanish language make this program a great opportunity for any NU pre-freshman.
Check out more information on this exciting opportunity on ICDS' website, including a link to further details on Northeastern University's website!
Reviews
100%Overall
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80%Overall
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Although this experience was excellent, i would recommend the program to focus more on the availability of academic courses. I feel that, for such a small group the discipline was too intense, but I enjoyed the presence of the staff nevertheless.
100%Overall
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Although I was incredibly nervous to spend my first semester abroad, the experience was invaluable. Our site director, and ISA for the most part did great job giving us all support. I always knew that if I had an issue I could go to my ISA to talk. They helped us when as a whole, the group ran into challenges with academics. The ICDS staff that we worked with were very friendly and helpful, and really had our best interests in mind. They were patient with us, and I loved spending time with them on our group outings and dinners. It would have been nice to have more options for the classes in which we could enroll. For the most part, everyone took the same classes, and all of them were only NU.in kids. The biggest thing I missed out on while in Costa Rica was creating relationships with other college students at U.Latina. The language barrier was definitely the main inhibitor, but it would have been nice to have more organized or facilitated opportunities to interact with the students there. I was very satisfied with my host family and home stay. My only complaint was the situation with internet. I didn't have internet for the first two weeks, and had trouble using the computer because it was in one of my host sisters room. I ended up buying a USB for internet which solved most of my problems. As the program progressed, it felt we had limited free time and too many organized group activities and trips. It was especially inconvenient when we had big group trips planned during the weekends when we had many academic responsibilities to attend to. Living with a host family and becoming comfortable living in the country really allowed me to learn and improve my Spanish.
90%Overall
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N.U. In. Costa Rica was the best learning experience I have ever had. My horizons have been broaden immensely after living in a such a different culture. The program allows for great personal growth as well. The N.U. In. and ICDS staff was amazing as well as the teacher at U Latina. Looking back on it all I loved ever part of the program and everyone it.
70%Overall
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ICDS really helped me get adjusted, both socially and academically. I came to love the time that I spent in Costa Rica. Great program and I think I'd do it all over again, for sure.
90%Overall
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It was really fun. Staying with host families gives you a whole new perspective on life in Costa Rica. All in all it was a great experience, one that i would truly remember for the rest of my life.
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Further Info
About ICDS
The International Center for Development Studies is located in San Jose, Costa Rica. ICDS has partnered up with Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (ULatina) to offer a handful of technical and educational programs that simultaneously provide the highest level of circumstances for students to learn or perfect their Spanish language skills while taking courses on Central & Latin American cultural, environmental, and developmental issues.
Students stay with carefully selected host families as a guest in their homes to provide a true cultural immersion experience along with the added opportunity to further their Spanish language proficiency. Service-learning opportunities are also available in conjunction with IDCS' academic programs. Check out some of ICDS' amazing programs below to see which one is right for you!
All of Their Programs
Program Information
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My experience abroad in Costa Rica was the best experience of my life. The staff of ICDS were incredible, they were friendly, warm and welcoming. They were also a great resource for information about Costa Rica and its culture. Whenever I needed anything, I was able to go into the ICDS office and ask questions, or needed support. The programs organized for us were incredible. We were able to see beautiful sights in Costa Rica and had great opportunities to learn abou and interact with the culture and locals of the country. Living with a host family was a great component of the program and was a wonderful gateway into the ways of life in Costa Rica. I made lifetime friends during my study abroad and formed bonds with the members of ICDS. While abroad, I was really able to challenge myself, and learn a ton of Spanish. I would definitely recommend this program to a friend, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Going abroad to Costa Rica was the best decision of my life. The people there were so welcoming and warm, and it allowed me to learn make the most out of my experience and really dive into the culture. I really enjoyed my classes and the teachers were always helpful when I had questions. Our ability to travel on our own was awesome. We got to see so many different locations such as beautiful beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and rainforests.