Global Experiential Learning

Study in Costa Rica, Spring 2026

Earn 12-15 units of academic credit while you travel April 18–June 19, 2026!

Why Study in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a breathtaking destination known for its lush landscapes, friendly communities, and vibrant biodiversity. It’s also a global leader in conservation and sustainability, making it an ideal setting for immersive study in culture, conservation, and biodiversity. With over 25% of its land protected in national parks and reserves, students have unparalleled access to diverse ecosystems—from tropical rainforests to coastal mangroves. The country’s rich cultural heritage and strong commitment to environmental stewardship offer a dynamic learning environment that bridges scientific study and community engagement.

Program Dates

• Saturday, April 18, 2026: Program starts in San José, Costa Rica
• Friday, June 19, 2026: Program in Costa Rica ends (students must depart homestays) 
• Monday, April 6–Friday, June 26, 2026: Foothill College's spring quarter dates. Some coursework may start online prior to arrival, and conclude after departure.  

Program Theme & Description

Costa Rica: A Study in Culture, Conservation & Biodiversity 

Join us for enriching study abroad experience in Costa Rica, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to investigate biological diversity and explore how local cultures influence and shape their environments.

Led by Foothill college professors Gillian Schultz and Julie Jenkins, you’ll be taking courses in Biology, Anthropology, and Global Studies where we’ll investigate the successes and challenges of sustainable development and conservation, focusing on the intersection between public and private efforts.

We’ll examine who benefits from these initiatives and who may be left behind. By gaining firsthand insights into conservation practices in Costa Rica, you’ll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of sustainability that can be applied to global environmental challenges, equipping you with the tools to drive positive change worldwide.

Program Faculty

• Julie Jenkins, Anthropology & Global Studies
• Gillian Schultz, Biology 

Potential Courses Offered

• ANTH 1 Introduction to Physical Anthropology (4 units) - Honors ANTH 1H section too! (IGETC Areas 4/5)
• ANTH 2A Cultural Anthropology (4 units) - Honors ANTH 2AH section too! (IGETC Area 4)
• ANTH 2B Patterns of Culture (4 units) (IGETC Area 4)
• BIOL 1C Evolution, Systematics & Ecology (6 Units) (IGETC Area 5)
• BIOL 9 Environmental Biology (4 Units) (IGETC Area 5)
• BIOL 9L Environmental Biology Lab (1 Unit) (IGETC Area 5)
• BIOL 10 General Biology (5 Units) (IGETC Areas 5)
• GLST 1 Introduction to Global Studies (4 units) - Honors GLST 1H section too! (IGETC Area 4)
• GLST 2 Global Issues (4 units) (IGETC Area 4)

All courses open to all majors (no prerequisites), and all satisfy General Education requirements for transfer. 

Program Host

Foothill College is partnering with AIFS to support our students and faculty during this Spring 2026 Study Abroad program. The San José, Costa Rica AIFS study center is centrally located and features classrooms, a student lounge, a student life office, an academic advising office, and complimentary WiFi and printer acess.  

Application and Costs

As part of the application process, please complete the interest form by selecting the link below. If you meet the initial program eligibility criteria, you will be added to a program Canvas site where you will find more information and how to apply.

COSTA RICA PROGRAM INTEREST FORM

Tuition, Fees and Cost

Total Program Fee: $6,950 + Foothill Registration Fees (variable)

• Application fee: None!! It's free to submit an application 
• Program deposit (reserve your spot): $50 - due at the time of acceptance (non-refundable) 
• 1st Program Fee Intallment: $400 - due within 30 days of acceptance (non-refundable) 
• 2nd Program Fee Installment: $2,000 - due by October 1, 2025 (non-refundable after due date) 
• 3rd Program Fee Installment: $2,000 - due by November 1, 2025 (non-refundable after due date) 
• Final Program Fee Installment (remaining program fees): $2,500 due by December 15, 2025 (non-refundable after deadline) 
• Enrollment Fees & Tuition: Variable by units and residency status – see Student Fees & Tuition

Program Components

Included in program & registration fees:

12-15 units of academic coursework with interwoven experiential and service learning:

• Transferrable with transcript from Foothill College 
• Lectures in classrooms in the AIFS Study Center
• Faculty-led field trips and integrated experiential (out-of-the-classroom) learning opportunities
• Weekly service learning/volunteer opportunities in local NGO’s working on community and conservation projects

A rich itinerary consisting of:

• Weekly cultural activities in San José, including guided city and museum tours, a Latin dance class, a cooking class, and so much more!  
• Multiple day-long excursions to places of cultural and ecological significance including a coffee plantation, an indigenous community, a sustainable farm, and a volcano! 
• An overnight excursion to Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Research Station 
• An overnight excrusion to Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
• Additional optional (some free/some fee-based) cultural activities and guided field trips in and around San José.
• An optional 2-night excrusion to Sarapiqui (additional cost: $410 all inclusive) 

Lodging

• Accommodation in a shared room in a homestay in San José for the duration of the program with a Costa Rican family, with breakfast and dinner provided daily, laundry privileges and free wi-fi (option to upgrade to single room) 
• Accommodation in double/multi-room hostel/hotel on the overnight excrusions

Student support

• Pre-departure and on arrival orientations from AIFS hosts and Foothill faculty, including a comprehensive student information packet with culturally relevant information for living safely and happily in Costa Rica
• 24/7 AIFS emergency service with both a local number to reach on-site staff and toll-free number in the U.S.
• Student medical insurance policy up to $100k
• Option to purchase CFAR (cancel-for-any-reason) insurance through AIFS

Not included in program fees

• Airfare (should budget for approx. $600 RT from SFO)
• Most lunches/snacks
• Travel insurance (the optional CFAR mentioned above highly recommended)
• Textbooks/course materials
• Personal spending money
• Anything else not named above

Program Eligibility

Open to adults of all ages, experiences and physical capabilities who:

• Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent
• Are able to travel abroad (hold/able to obtain a passport)
• Will enroll in a minimum of 12 units of the coursework offered as part of the Foothill College Costa Rica Program (see above)
• Are ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Questions?

For more information, please reach out to the Office of Global Experiential Learning at globalexperiences@fhda.edu