Medical Spanish & Health Sciences

San Jose, Costa Rica
Medical Spanish & Health Sciences

About the Program

Acquire the language skills and understanding of cultural elements that may come into play when working with Spanish-speaking patients. Designed for students at all levels of Spanish ability who wish to work in the medical and health sciences fields, this program offers health science courses (taught in English) that provide insight into Costa Rica's health care system and offer active learning components that reinforce lessons learned in class. From recognizing medical vocabulary to describing patients' physical and mental states to communication with patients and other medical personnel, language courses focus on developing the ability to effectively communicate with patients through intensive speaking and listening practice set within a medical context. Advanced students will fine-tune their language skills, discussing topics such as advantages and disadvantages of traditional vs. holistic medicine and preparing talks or presentations given at clinics or conferences. Regardless of the level of instruction, expect to give presentations that simulate medical provider-patient interactions. An Early Start option, offered in the fall semester, helps you jump start your (regular) Spanish language skills before your Medical Spanish course begins in the semester.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

San Jose

Dates:

5/25/24 - 6/29/24

Price:

$5,595

Credits:

7 - 8

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

3/30/24

Requirements

Transcript - Unofficial
Program Participation Agreement
$95 Online Application Fee
Complete Application

Eligibility

Minimum GPA:

2.6

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Education
Completed:

High School Graduate

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $500 when you apply with code* by January 1, 2025

Where You'll Study

Veritas University

Since its founding in 1976, Veritas University has become one of the most highly recognized private universities in Latin America. Not only is Veritas fully accredited by the Costa Rica Ministry o...

Student Offices
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Study Room
Study Room
Counseling Services
Counseling Services
7-8

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

During the summer you can choose several sessions, depending on how long you want to stay in Costa Rica and the number of courses you want to take. You can choose between: a 4-week/1-course or a 5-week/2-course session in June; a 4-week/1-course or a 5-week/2-course session in July; or a 2-, 3-, or 4-course June/July combo session. Course offerings and the total contact hours/credits available vary by session.

Veritas University offers courses in English and Spanish language. English taught courses are fully in English, while the Spanish language acquisition courses are taught fully in Spanish - the methodology they use is “Spanish in Spanish”.  Veritas utilizes the Competencies based learning as their Pedagogical Model for both English and Spanish courses.

In June and July, language courses meet for 3 hours daily, Monday-Friday. Health sciences courses meet daily Monday-Thursday in June and July.

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take a Spanish language level placement exam. Students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish language and consider taking SPN 101 Spanish Basic I or SSP 141 Basic Spanish for Health Professionals, may opt out of the of the language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the results of your placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Costa Rica. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Spanish for Health Care Course Structure

Courses

The following courses have been confirmed for this term. Please note, the host institution reserves the right to cancel or change courses without prior notification.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in San José. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Career & Re-entry Workshop
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
May 25
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.

May 26
Orientation

Mandatory CEA Orientation & Welcome Activities.

May 27
Classes Begin

Classes begin at Veritas University.

June 01
Excursion

Trips outside the city will be included - Subject to change.

June 07
Excursion

Trips outside the city will be included - Subject to change.

June 29
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$5,595
$5,595
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$700
$1,500
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$165
$165
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$35
$50
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for meals in housing option without a meal plan, such as daily groceries and eating out at restaurants. 
$288
$463
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$288
$406
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$313
$625
TOTAL EXPENSES $7,384 $8,804