For years, expats and foreigners have flocked to Costa Rica for its beautiful scenery and unique work culture. The booming tourism industry in San Jose has turned it into a popular destination for travelers from around the world and made it into an incredibly diverse city. Global Experiences’ internship program in San Jose allows you to experience everything about the culture of Costa Rica all while gaining valuable career experience with a tailored internship.
San Jose is a city full of art, awe-inspiring architecture, and bustling commerce. The capital city of Costa Rica is known as one of the main focal points of political and economic activity in all of Central America. In terms of population, the city is relativity small, but nearly a million people commute to the center of the city every weekday to work in the many thriving industries of San Jose. Some of the most popular internship placements include business, environmental, engineering, NGOs, and many more.
In San Jose, going with the flow is the norm. The popular national saying “Pura Vida” means “pure life” and that’s the way Costa Ricans like to live. Locals value personal relationships and treating others with respect. Giving gifts is also an important aspect of the culture. During the summer, there is always a reason or holiday to celebrate.
Global Experiences provides you with a tailored internship in your approved career field. Your tuition also covers centrally located accommodations and social events. Throughout your program, we take you and your fellow interns on social excursions to allow you to experience San Jose and the local culture. You will also have free time during your program to travel on your own. Set yourself apart from your peers with an international internship in Costa Rica.
Housing: Single room in shared apartment
Our San José program housing is by far one of the best student living in Costa Rica. It is a brand new modern student residence located in the University area of San Pedro Montes de Oca. The flat is shared with other Global Experiences interns and sometimes mixed with other students from local universities. Housing is a single ensuite room in a shared 3-4 bedroom flat and includes a shared kitchen, WiFi, balcony, and a washer and dryer. There is 24/7 security and on-site support services in a sealed housing building with great communal areas including a cinema, games room, BBQ terrace, and sun lounges. Public transportation, shops, and cafes are easily accessible!
Institution
Global Experiences is a part of the American Institute For Foreign Study’s (AIFS) family of programs. AIFS is one of the oldest, largest and most trusted cultural exchange organizations in the world, more than 1.6 million students having participated on AIFS programs since its’ founding in 1964. Global Experiences is comprised of world travelers who are fortunate to have lived, worked, or studied overseas. Our team of 30+ spans nationalities in locations around the world. In today’s increasingly globalized economy, international experience is everything. Our programs provide the opportunity for participants to have the overseas adventure they want while simultaneously getting the experience they need. It’s the best of both worlds!
Program
San Jose is a city full of art, awe-inspiring architecture, and bustling commerce. The capital city of Costa Rica is known as one of the main focal points of political and economic activity in all of Central America. In terms of population, the city is relativity small, but nearly a million people commute to the center of the city every weekday to work in the many thriving industries of San Jose. Some of the most popular internship placements include business, environmental, engineering, NGOs, and many more.
Academic Calendar
- Spring Semester: Early February to Late April
- Summer Semester: Early June to Early August
For more information about the Academic Calendar please visit the
GE San Jose web page.
Housing
Our San José program housing is by far one of the best student living in Costa Rica. It is a brand new modern student residence located in the University area of San Pedro Montes de Oca. The flat is shared with other Global Experiences interns and sometimes mixed with other students from local universities. Housing is a single en suite room in a shared 3-4 bedroom flat and includes a shared kitchen, WiFi, balcony, and a washer and dryer. There is 24/7 security and on-site support services in a sealed housing building with great communal areas including a cinema, games room, BBQ terrace, and sun lounges. Public transportation, shops, and cafes are easily accessible!
Financial
Program Costs
Students participating on GE programs will be billed through Appalachian the GE program cost. In addition to the GE costs students will also be responsible for submitting a $100 OIED Program Development Fee upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Paid to Appalachian State
| |
Semester 12 credits |
Semester 6 credits |
Summer 3-6 credits |
| 1GE Program Fee |
$8,290 |
$7,090 |
$5,590 |
| App Tuition and Fees |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| 2OIED Program Development Fee |
$100 |
$100 |
$100 |
| International Health Insurance |
$1.45 per day |
$1.45 per day |
$1.45 per day |
| Intl Health Dev Fee |
$60 |
$60 |
$60 |
1GE Program Fee includes tuition, housing, personalized career development, pre-departure and visa assistance, social events, and in-country support. Students will submit a $1000 program deposit to GE upon acceptance.
2The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
Summer |
| GE Deposit |
$1000 |
$1000 |
| Airfare |
$1200 - $1800 |
$1200 - $1800 |
| Meals (Apartments) |
$1500 - $2500 |
$500 - $1000 |
| 1Personal Expenses |
$1000 - $2000 |
$300 - $700 |
| Books and Materials |
$140 - $190 |
$70 - $100 |
| Local Transportation |
$150 - $300 |
$50 - $100 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$315 |
$275 |
| Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
| 2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
NA |
| 3Personal Travel and Spending |
$600 - $1000 |
$200 - $400 |
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
3Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
GE Scholarships
GE offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
San Jose offers a range of internship options but may be of particular interest to the following fields: Accounting, Advertising, Art/Museum, Architecture, Business, Education, Engineering, Finance, Graphic Design, Hospitality, Human Resources, IT, Interior Design, Journalism, Law, NGO, Photography, Psychology, and Public Relations.
Semester
Students will complete a 420-480 hour internship with the option to enroll in a 6 credit internship course. The internship provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in workplace settings and to translate classroom learning into practice. The internship is a substantive career development experience. Contributing to decision-making and communicating meaningful ideas while applying learned skills to accomplish the goals of the organization should form the bulk of the work while being mentored by individuals specific to the participant’s primary intended career field. This course is a combination of contact hours of internship combined with journaling, graded reflection pieces and assignments. Additionally students will be able to enroll in a 3 credit Global Workforce and Leadership Development course and a 3 credit Intercultural Communication in a Global Workplace course for up to a total of 12 credits for the semester.
Summer
Students will complete a 280-320 hours internship and will be enrolled in a 3-6 credit internship course.
For more information please visit the GE academic credit web page.
Students must receive approval from their academic department for the internship and are encouraged to discuss the internship with their department before applying.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Each GE program will have a different minimum credit/hour requirement. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a GE program most complete the Appalachian application before applying directly to GE.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.