Programme details
| Programme length | Start | End | Price | Age on departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS year programme (academic year) | February 2010 | January 2011 | $12,200 + visa | 15 - 18 |
Costa Rica, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, was named by the Spanish as “the rich coast”. Costa Rica is the wealthiest country in Central America, with a strong American influence.
The people of Costa Rica are called “Ticos” and are proud with strong religious values. Costa Rica is dedicated to peace and is one of the few nations which does not have an army, instead investing in health care and education.
The people are relaxed and friendly. Their greatest joy is to make visitors feel welcome and to enjoy their time. Unlike its neighbours, Costa Rica has a high European population and a hot and sometimes very humid climate.
Family life
Most Costa Rican families are conservative and strictly adhere to the Roman Catholic values. Children respect the authority of their parents. If they are asked to do something, they do it without argument. Teenage boys have much more liberal curfews than their sisters do. Meal times are family times and most host families prefer just the family and extended family for meals.
School life
A normal school day starts at 7am and can finish between 1 and 4pm. School starts in mid-February and ends in late November/early December. There is a one-week holiday at Easter and a two-week break early in July. Costa Rica is considered to have one of the best educational systems in Latin America and students who attend school in Costa Rica concentrate on achieving well academically.
AFS Costa Rica does not accept vegetarians and smokers and you must have pre-existing Spanish skills. On top of visa costs, up to $500 worth of document translation costs may apply.
