Programs
Study abroad in Costa Rica through ICDS and explore sustainability, social justice, community engagement and health from the ground up. Our programs combine academic coursework, cultural immersion, and hands-on experiences that connect you with local realities—and help you grow with purpose.
Programs
Study abroad in Costa Rica through ICDS and explore sustainability, social justice, community engagement and health from the ground up. Our programs combine academic coursework, cultural immersion, and hands-on experiences that connect you with local realities—and help you grow with purpose.
Spring and Fall Semester
Sustainable Development and Social Justice in Latin America
Embark on a transformative journey in Costa Rica, where cultural immersion meets academic discovery, personal growth, and global awareness. Strengthen your Spanish while exploring the strategic themes of sustainability and social justice through first-hand experiences, thought-provoking field trips, and meaningful connections with local communities and professionals.
A signature highlight of the semester is an immersion at a rural agroecological farm, where you will live, learn, and practice sustainable ways of being— inspiring new perspectives on the future of our planet. Complement your experience by choosing from a range of electives taught by experts actively engaged in the fields of sustainability and social change, ensuring both academic depth and real-world relevance.
Summer I
Spanish and Sustainability Practices in Costa Rica
This four-week program offers a powerful blend of urban and rural immersion for students seeking an intensive journey to sustainability and social justice in Costa Rica.
Urban Immersion (2 weeks in San José): Dive into intensive Spanish courses, engage in community service projects that create real impact, and experience the vibrant rhythms of daily life in Costa Rica’s capital.
Rural Immersion (2 weeks in an agroecological farm): Step away from city life and reconnect with nature through hands-on practice in permaculture, agroecology, food security and sustainable living. Guided by local experts, you will acquire new skills and embrace a way of life rooted in balance, resilience, and respect for the Earth.
Winter and Fall Semester
Healthcare in Latin America and the Caribbean
Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture while advancing your Spanish and exploring pressing health issues in the region. Through field visits, community engagement, and experiential learning, you will connect theory with practice and gain valuable insights into healthcare systems, public health initiatives, and wellness practices in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Advanced Spanish speakers have the option to participate in observational clinical rotations, offering a unique perspective on Costa Rica’s healthcare model. Students with beginner or intermediate Spanish will engage through community service in health-related organizations, making meaningful contributions while learning in real-world settings.
Customize your experience with a selection of electives taught by professionals and faculty actively engaged in the health field, ensuring both academic rigor and practical relevance.
Summer II
Spanish and Health in Latin America
- Designed as a shorter version of the semester program, this four-week intensive experience offers a condensed yet equally transformative opportunity to engage with health, culture, and language in Costa Rica.
While improving your Spanish, you will explore health issues not only in Costa Rica but also across Latin America and the Caribbean, broadening your understanding of regional public health. Students with advanced Spanish may take part in observational clinical rotations, while those with beginner or intermediate Spanish will engage through community work in health-related organizations.
Customized
Faculty - Led Programs
Whether you’re looking for undergraduate, graduate or gap year our programs
are tailor-made to fit the goals and needs of colleges, universities, or other academic organizations abroad. Plus, you’ll get to experience the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality, culture and language.
We believe in learning beyond the classroom, which is why our academic programs are based on hands-on experiences and complemented by visits to relevant organizations. You’ll also have amazing opportunities of immersion in the local community through engaging service-learning sessions, cultural activities and field trips.
ICDS offers the openness and flexibility to co-create custom programs that let you explore a wide variety of topics based on your academic needs, all while enjoying Costa Rica’s incredible natural beauty and vibrant culture.
Spring and Fall Semester
Sustainable Development and Social Justice in Latin America
Summer I
Spanish and Sustainability Practices in Costa Rica
Winter and Fall Semester
Healthcare in Latin America and the Caribbean
Summer II
Spanish and Health in Latin America
Customized
Faculty - Led Programs
Embark on a transformative journey in Costa Rica, where cultural immersion meets academic discovery, personal growth, and global awareness. Strengthen your Spanish while exploring the strategic themes of sustainability and social justice through first-hand experiences, thought-provoking field trips, and meaningful connections with local communities and professionals.
A signature highlight of the semester is an immersion at a rural agroecological farm, where you will live, learn, and practice sustainable ways of being— inspiring new perspectives on the future of our planet. Complement your experience by choosing from a range of electives taught by experts actively engaged in the fields of sustainability and social change, ensuring both academic depth and real-world relevance.
This four-week program offers a powerful blend of urban and rural immersion for students seeking an intensive journey to sustainability and social justice in Costa Rica.
Urban Immersion (2 weeks in San José): Dive into intensive Spanish courses, engage in community service projects that create real impact, and experience the vibrant rhythms of daily life in Costa Rica’s capital.
Rural Immersion (2 weeks in an agroecological farm): Step away from city life and reconnect with nature through hands-on practice in permaculture, agroecology, food security and sustainable living. Guided by local experts, you will acquire new skills and embrace a way of life rooted in balance, resilience, and respect for the Earth.
Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture while advancing your Spanish and exploring pressing health issues in the region. Through field visits, community engagement, and experiential learning, you will connect theory with practice and gain valuable insights into healthcare systems, public health initiatives, and wellness practices in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Advanced Spanish speakers have the option to participate in observational clinical rotations, offering a unique perspective on Costa Rica’s healthcare model. Students with beginner or intermediate Spanish will engage through community service in health-related organizations, making meaningful contributions while learning in real-world settings.
Customize your experience with a selection of electives taught by professionals and faculty actively engaged in the health field, ensuring both academic rigor and practical relevance.
- Designed as a shorter version of the semester program, this four-week intensive experience offers a condensed yet equally transformative opportunity to engage with health, culture, and language in Costa Rica.
While improving your Spanish, you will explore health issues not only in Costa Rica but also across Latin America and the Caribbean, broadening your understanding of regional public health. Students with advanced Spanish may take part in observational clinical rotations, while those with beginner or intermediate Spanish will engage through community work in health-related organizations.
Whether you’re looking for undergraduate, graduate or gap year our programs are tailor-made to fit the goals and needs of colleges, universities, or other academic organizations abroad. Plus, you’ll get to experience the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality, culture and language.
We believe in learning beyond the classroom, which is why our academic programs are based on hands-on experiences and complemented by visits to relevant organizations. You’ll also have amazing opportunities of immersion in the local community through engaging service-learning sessions, cultural activities and field trips.
ICDS offers the openness and flexibility to co-create custom programs that let you explore a wide variety of topics based on your academic needs, all while enjoying Costa Rica’s incredible natural beauty and vibrant culture.
