COSTA RICA

2014 - 2015

gRupO de kAnSAS

Join the grupo de kansas for a semester or year abroad

SAn jOSÉ,

The program was everything

that I was looking for in a

study abroad experience —

living with a host family,

classes with local students,

challenging & interesting

courses, & the ability to travel

easily and frequently.

- Mariah Byrne, georgetown university,

Fall 2012

“

”honduras

nicaragua

Panama

Costa rica

san JosÉ

honduras

Whygrupo de kansas?In 1958, the University of Kansas and the Universidad de Costa Rica began the longest running exchange in the Western Hemisphere. In the last 55 years, we’ve been proud to serve more than 2,500 students from across the U.S. as part of the Grupo de Kansas in San José. ¡Pura vida!

strong academic opportunities

The Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) is the top research institution in Central America and is a highly competitive university within Costa Rica. Grupo de Kansas participants directly enroll into classes with the best students and faculty in Costa Rica.

Our program lasts six to seven months—making it one of the longest semester programs in Costa Rica—allowing students to take full advantage of everything Costa Rica has to offer.

duration

Students on the Grupo de Kansas program get more val-ue for their tuition and fees because they spend at least six months immersed in the language and culture. Plus, our low fee also includes housing, classes, meals, excursions, and much more.

excellent value

Two full-time, on-site program coordinators work exclusively for the program in our Grupo de Kansas office, which is conveniently located on the UCR campus. They provide individual academic advising, assist with host families and housing, orga-nize airport transfers, and coordinate on-site orienta-tion.

accessible and supportive staff

Students earn three-credit hours during our one month on-site orientation program.It is designed to prepare students for life in San José and classes at UCR. It also in-cludes three excursions that highlight the natural wonders of Costa Rica.

earn credit at orientation

Our three-credit Early Start Intensive Spanish Program is a great way to practice language skills before the semester starts. Students of all levels find it helpful and enjoyable—especially be-cause they get to enjoy Costa Rica one month early!

Language preparation

The Grupo de Kansas program offers classes for almost all majors at the Universidad de Costa Rica.

did you know?

1970

2013

Academic Calendar

fall 2014 semesterEarly Start Intensive Spanish Program + Semester at UCR: June 1, 2014 - december 14, 2014

Fall 2014 Semester: July 9, 2014 - december 14, 2014

academic year 2014 - 2015Early Start Intensive Spanish Program+ Academic Year at UCR: June 1, 2014 - Late July, 2015

Academic Year: July 9, 2014 - Late July, 2015

spring 2015 semester* Please check the KU Office of Study Abroad’s website for exact dates, but approximate dates are as follows:

Early Start Intensive Spanish Program + Semester at UCR: early January - Late July, 2015

Spring 2015 Semester: early february - Late July, 2015

Costa Rica’s biodiversity, social and political stability, and friend-ly locals make it an ideal place to study abroad. As the birthplace of ecotourism, Costa Rica boasts 400 miles of coastline, active volcanoes, national parks, cloud forests, and rain forests. San José, Costa Rica's capital, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers world-class muse-ums, the National Theatre, and competitive sporting events. Our program blends the attractions of a great city with the oppor-tunity to explore Costa Rica’s natural wonders. The Grupo de Kansas program in San José, Costa Rica, offers students the unique opportu-nity to improve their Spanish and earn credit towards their major. Students prepare for their semester at UCR during a one-month Early Start Intensive Spanish program followed by a four-week orientation. Students of all majors are eligible for this program, and students can en-roll in almost any course offered at UCR.

Students interested in spending an academic year in Costa Rica can start the Grupo de Kansas program in either the fall or

spring semester.

Did You Know?

overview

Pre-departure advising sessions with KUprogram coordinator

Pre-departure materials & support

Access to KU peer advisors & past program participants

Visa application assistance

Lonely Planet: Costa Rica guidebook

Optional Group Flight

What’s included

Pre-departure

Two on-site full-time program coordinators who work exclusively for KU

Airport reception & drop-off

Tuition & UCR activity fees

On-site orientation (3 credit hours)

on-site

Official transcript

Program Evaluation

Credit transfer support

re-entry services

Housing with a host family

Three meals per day

Laundry services

Volunteer opportunities

Excursions throughout Costa Rica

Computer, internet, & printing in the Grupo de Kansas office

Host family picnic

24 hour emergency assistance from KU staff in Costa Rica & the US

Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance

on-site (continued)

Early Start + Semester Semester Early Start + Academic Year Academic Year prices $2,345 $1,610 $3,540 $2,800

$8,670 $7,970 $15,400 $14,700

$4,645 $4,295 $7,745 $7,395

Tuition

Program Fees

Estimated Additional Expenses*

* Includes airfare, passport, visa, books and supplies, local transportation, and personal expenses.

subjects offered:Anthropology, Applied Behavioral Science, Architec-ture, Art, Astronomy, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classics, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Design, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environmen-tal Studies, Film & Media Studies, Geography, Geology, Health, Sport & Exercise Science, History, Journalism, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Marine Science, Math, Music, Nursing, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish, Theatre, Urban Planning, Visual Art

Enroll directly at the Universidad de Costa Rica and take courses in a variety of subjects. Classes are taught in Spanish.

The Grupo de Kansas program is designed to help students acclimate to Costa Rica and become comfortable taking their classes in Spanish. Students spend the first few weeks brushing up on their Spanish skills, then delve into the culture during on-site orientation.

Students with 4 semesters of college-level Spanish will be required to participate in the Early Start Intensive Spanish Program. Students who have taken 5 or more semesters of college-level Spanish are encouraged to enroll in the Early Start Program, but are not required to do so.

academic

program

Reinforce Spanish skills during a one-month intensive Spanish language program.

on-site orientation

early start program

semester at ucr

Prepare for the challenges of rigorous academic work and learn more about Costa Rica’s unique culture.

The Grupo de Kansas program is open to students from any ac-credited U.S. college or university who have at least sophomore standing. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPa and at least 4 semesters of college-level spanish (or the equivalent).

eligibility:

After arriving in San José, students take a language placement test and are placed into an appopriate intensive Spanish language course. The instructors prepare students by working on Spanish grammar, Costa Rican vocabulary, conversation skills, and writing style. Smaller class sizes will allow students indi-vidualized attention and more opportunities to practice the skills they are learning. Students earn 3 credit hours of Spanish for this course (SPAN 170, 270, or 370).

Students with 4 semesters of college-level Spanish are required to participate in the Early Start Program. It is optional for students who have taken 5 or more semesters of college-level Spanish.

This unique four-week orientation provides a cultural and historical introduction to Costa Rica through lectures and excursions. Instructors will also focus on upper-level Spanish academic writing skills. Stu-dents may, among other activities, interview locals from different parts of Costa Rica, put on skits, and learn how to utilize the UCR library. Students will receive 3 credits (SPAN 371) for orientation.

Orientation excursions usually include visits to art museums, the Central Market and the National Theatre in San José, as well as day and weekend excursions. All Grupo de Kansas students participate in on-site orientation and the included excursions.

After orientation, students enroll in courses at UCR with local students, taught by local faculty. Students are eligible to take most courses at UCR if they meet the required pre-requisites. Students can take a wide variety of courses from different departments at UCR, such as Traditional Costa Rican Dance, Trop-ical Ecology, Latin American Geography, Comparative Politics, or the Natural History of Costa Rica. A full schedule of classes is available on the Grupo de Kansas website.

Students take a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester; most students take between 4 and 6 courses. Credit and grades for all UCR courses in which students are enrolled, including orientation, will be posted on a University of Kansas transcript, which students will receive at the end of the semester.

Grupo de Kansas students are encouraged to

join UCR intramural sports and student organizations.

Did You Know?

grupo de kansas staff

- Jeff Miller, University of Kansas, Academic Year 2011-2012

Zaida Ugalde and Isabel Alcázar have both worked with the Grupo de Kansas since 1997. Their experience and knowledge of Costa Rica, San José, and UCR allows them to better advise students about all aspects of their time abroad. Zaida and Isabel work with students on matters related to academics, enrollment, student visas, volunteer opportunities, housing, and medical and non-medical emergencies. They organize the on-site Orientation that includes classes, lectures, and excursions, match host families and students, and serve as liaisons between the UCR and the University of Kansas Office of Study Abroad.

“Isa & Zaida are a pair of incredibly sharp women. Their

combined experience in helping nervous gringos acclimate to San

José comes through not only in the logistics of housing placement

and university enrollment, but also in their emotional intelli-

gence. They just had a knack for calming folks down and helping

them through uncertainties.”

Isabel Alcázar, On-site Assistant

Program Coordinator

the grupo de kansas proudly offers host

family accommodations because of the great strides students make in their lan-guage abilities when living

with locals. Host families can also help students to better understand and appreciate

the Costa Rican culture. The on-site program coordina-

tors arrange individual host family placements for each

student after vetting the families and visiting their homes. They match host

families and students based on student preferences.

Host families will provide three meals daily and can accomodate most dietary

restrictions. When possible, several Grupo de Kansas stu-

dents will be placed in the same neighborhood.

Accommodations

“My house was like a safe haven where I could practice Spanish. Most of

my improvement came from chatting with my

host mom. I also learned a lot about Costa Rican

cooking and culture.”

- Margo Bogossian, university of kansas, Fall 2012

Zaida Ugalde, On-site Program

Coordinator

Some Grupo de Kansas host families have been housing students for

more than a decade!

Did You Know?

The Grupo de Kansas staff can find volunteer opportunities for inter-

ested students. Past student volunteers have worked in an orphanage or

tutored UCR students in English. Students can also join Un Techo para

mi País, a non-profit organization that builds homes.

Before or after the Grupo de Kansas program, students may choose to

participate in a month-long volunteer program at one of the Costa Rican

National Parks through la Asociación de Voluntarios para el Servicio en

Áreas Protegidas (ASVO).

experience more of costa rica

Punta Leona Hotel & Beach Club

Just 60 minutes from San José, the deep-blue waters of the Pacific surround Hotel Punta Leona. Set among secluded white sand beaches and spectacular rainforests, this vacation destination offers students the opportunity to visit a butterfly garden, enjoy dance classes, or go on a morning or night hike in the reserve. There’s something for everyone at Punta Leona!

Las Chucaras Hot Springs

These hot springs are on a privately owned coffee finca located just outside of San José. At the finca students learn about the entire coffee growing and production process. Afterwards, students can relax in the hot spring pool surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountainside. Students will also enjoy a delicious traditional meal.

Poás Volcano National Park & Surrounding Northeast Alajuela

Take a day excursion to visit the Poás volcano. This national park has hiking trails that lead to an ancient crater, which is now a lagoon. The mile-wide crater is the largest in the world. This excursion isn’t complete without stopping at a small soda shop for a batido de fresa made of locally grown strawberries!

Interested in Volunteering?

During on-site orientation, students will participate in a number of organized activities outside of San José. These include at least two day trips and one overnight excursion. The on-site program coordi-nators will accompany students and make travel arrangements. Past excursions have included:

- Tara ruttenberg, georgetown university, academic Year 2005-2006

If you’re looking for

an experience to

change your life and

help you realize your

dreams, study abroad

in Costa Rica and look

no further.

“

”

Credits: Cover photo: Andrew Larkin. Other photos provided by the University of Kansas, the Universidad de Costa Rica, Andrew Larkin, Duncan McHenry, Danielle Moccia, Alyssa Milner and Zaida Ugalde.

Artwork & Design:Emily Grigone

learn more

Visit our website at: studyabroad.ku.edu/Costarica Course information and application instructions can be found online.

For questions, more information, or to set up an appointment with the KU program coordinator, please contact the KU Office of Study Abroad.

Email: osa@ku.edu

Web: studyabroad.ku.edu/CostaRica

Phone: 785-864-3742

Office of Study Abroad

1410 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lippincott Hall

Room 108

Lawrence, KS 66045

785.864.3742

osa@ku.edu

www.studyabroad.ku.edu

The University of Kansas