fbpx Skip to content

Costa Rica

Dates

May 22 – June 20, 2025

Cost

$3,995 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Biology, Public Health, Women’s Health, Pre-Med, Medical Spanish

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview


Costa Rica offers students a challenging academic experience with travel through breathtaking scenery, immense biodiversity, culturally immersive homestays, and a variety of unique excursions. The program begins at Arenal Volcano and ends in the capital of San José. In between, students live with local families in the small towns of La Paz de San Ramón and Sámara along the country’s Pacific coast.

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.

Language Requirement: None for BIOL, HCA or PH courses. For SPAN 230, must have at least 6 credit hours of college-level Spanish or equivalent at time of departure.

Accommodations: Homestay, 2 people per house. A few nights in hotels or cabins, 2-4 per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

Courses are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1-2 courses.

BIOL 475 Topics: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation

Dr.Agus Sofyan

An in-depth look at the biodiversity and conservation in tropical area. Topics will include ecosystems, habitats, niche, sustainable development, and natural conservation. We will focus on tropical biodiversity, conservation, and wildlife refugee in lecture and field observations. Exploration, excursion, and societal engagement will be required.

BIOL 316 Evolution: Theory and Process

Dr.Agus Sofyan

Evolution is the foundational idea which unites all sub-disciplines of biology. It is also the central principle in biology which ties that science to the other sciences including astronomy, chemistry, geology, and physics. This course examines the set of diverse observations that support the theory and examines the forces and mechanisms that cause evolutionary change.

HCA 347 International Comparative Health Care Systems

Dr. Shannon Phelps

While good health is, in part, about genetics, attitudes, and behaviors, it is also greatly influenced by social, built, and natural environments. This course will have students use an ecological model and lens of social determinants of health (SDOH) to compare health outcomes, health care systems, and public health practices in Costa Rica with those in the United States.

PH 464 Women's Health

Dr. Shannon Phelps

This course will provide students the opportunity to examine major health issues and related health outcomes impacting contemporary women in Costa Rica and the United States. Students will compare and analyze health status and disparities of women through a biopsychosocial lens and feminist perspective, with special emphasis on sexual, reproductive, and maternal health.

SPAN 230 Spanish for Medical Professionals

Dr. Satty Flaherty-Echeverria

This course will provide essential medical vocabulary, practical reference information, and medical notes written from a cross-cultural perspective. It provides students with opportunities to apply, in a wide variety of practical contexts, grammatical structures presented in the corresponding lessons.
Prerequisite: Basic spanish level to give a brief description of yourself, mention simple phrases, ask, follow and give directions, distinguish main words and phrases in a Spanish conversation.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

Samara

Nestled in the beautiful center of Playa Sámara, students will engage in community service with CREAR’s innovative programs focused on creative and artistic expression, English/Spanish language development, education, socio-cultural responsibility and women’s empowerment.  

Zarcero

Travel to the picturesque views of coffee plantations in Zarcero. Taste coffee and learn about the history of the Iglesia de San Rafael and the famous topiary garden designed by Don Evangelista Blanco in 1964 in the park Francisco Alvarado.  

Sarchi

A key artisan town in Costa Rica, Sarchí is best known for their colorful and famous oxcarts that are handcrafted there and found everywhere in Costa Rica. Learn more about artisanship and design while visiting.  

Waterfall Hike

A local guide leads us on a hike through his private land to a beautiful cascade tumbling out of the cloud forest into a crystal-clear pool several hundred feet below. The hike is long and strenuous, but bring your swimsuit!

Trapiche

Trapiches, or sugarcane processing plants, dot the Costa Rican countryside and are deeply integrated into the national and local economies. Learn about Costa Rican history as you see each step of the process—and taste the sweet results!

Arenal Volcano Tour

We lodge at a comfortable resort and hike to one of the country’s most active volcanoes, nestled within its own national park. Optional visit to one of the many local hot springs.

What's Included

Program Cost: $3,995 + airfare

Earn up to 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Required)

Airport Transfers in Costa Rica

Accommodations

Three Meals per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), personal expenses (approx. $150-400 depending on your spending habits), and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Required Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $1,050- $1,150

The group flight is required for KIIS Costa Rica participants (any exceptions must be pre-approved by the program director). KIIS will purchase a roundtrip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

Flights to and from Costa Rica are typically the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

Take Your Education Further

Description

Dates

May 22 – June 20, 2025

Cost

$3,995 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Biology, Public Health, Women’s Health, Pre-Med, Medical Spanish

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview


Costa Rica offers students a challenging academic experience with travel through breathtaking scenery, immense biodiversity, culturally immersive homestays, and a variety of unique excursions. The program begins at Arenal Volcano and ends in the capital of San José. In between, students live with local families in the small towns of La Paz de San Ramón and Sámara along the country’s Pacific coast.

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.

Language Requirement: None for BIOL, HCA or PH courses. For SPAN 230, must have at least 6 credit hours of college-level Spanish or equivalent at time of departure.

Accommodations: Homestay, 2 people per house. A few nights in hotels or cabins, 2-4 per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

Courses are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1-2 courses.

BIOL 475 Topics: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation

Dr.Agus Sofyan

An in-depth look at the biodiversity and conservation in tropical area. Topics will include ecosystems, habitats, niche, sustainable development, and natural conservation. We will focus on tropical biodiversity, conservation, and wildlife refugee in lecture and field observations. Exploration, excursion, and societal engagement will be required.

BIOL 316 Evolution: Theory and Process

Dr.Agus Sofyan

Evolution is the foundational idea which unites all sub-disciplines of biology. It is also the central principle in biology which ties that science to the other sciences including astronomy, chemistry, geology, and physics. This course examines the set of diverse observations that support the theory and examines the forces and mechanisms that cause evolutionary change.

HCA 347 International Comparative Health Care Systems

Dr. Shannon Phelps

While good health is, in part, about genetics, attitudes, and behaviors, it is also greatly influenced by social, built, and natural environments. This course will have students use an ecological model and lens of social determinants of health (SDOH) to compare health outcomes, health care systems, and public health practices in Costa Rica with those in the United States.

PH 464 Women's Health

Dr. Shannon Phelps

This course will provide students the opportunity to examine major health issues and related health outcomes impacting contemporary women in Costa Rica and the United States. Students will compare and analyze health status and disparities of women through a biopsychosocial lens and feminist perspective, with special emphasis on sexual, reproductive, and maternal health.

SPAN 230 Spanish for Medical Professionals

Dr. Satty Flaherty-Echeverria

This course will provide essential medical vocabulary, practical reference information, and medical notes written from a cross-cultural perspective. It provides students with opportunities to apply, in a wide variety of practical contexts, grammatical structures presented in the corresponding lessons.
Prerequisite: Basic spanish level to give a brief description of yourself, mention simple phrases, ask, follow and give directions, distinguish main words and phrases in a Spanish conversation.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

Samara

Nestled in the beautiful center of Playa Sámara, students will engage in community service with CREAR’s innovative programs focused on creative and artistic expression, English/Spanish language development, education, socio-cultural responsibility and women’s empowerment.  

Zarcero

Travel to the picturesque views of coffee plantations in Zarcero. Taste coffee and learn about the history of the Iglesia de San Rafael and the famous topiary garden designed by Don Evangelista Blanco in 1964 in the park Francisco Alvarado.  

Sarchi

A key artisan town in Costa Rica, Sarchí is best known for their colorful and famous oxcarts that are handcrafted there and found everywhere in Costa Rica. Learn more about artisanship and design while visiting.  

Waterfall Hike

A local guide leads us on a hike through his private land to a beautiful cascade tumbling out of the cloud forest into a crystal-clear pool several hundred feet below. The hike is long and strenuous, but bring your swimsuit!

Trapiche

Trapiches, or sugarcane processing plants, dot the Costa Rican countryside and are deeply integrated into the national and local economies. Learn about Costa Rican history as you see each step of the process—and taste the sweet results!

Arenal Volcano Tour

We lodge at a comfortable resort and hike to one of the country’s most active volcanoes, nestled within its own national park. Optional visit to one of the many local hot springs.

What's Included

Program Cost: $3,995 + airfare

Earn up to 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Required)

Airport Transfers in Costa Rica

Accommodations

Three Meals per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), personal expenses (approx. $150-400 depending on your spending habits), and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Required Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $1,050- $1,150

The group flight is required for KIIS Costa Rica participants (any exceptions must be pre-approved by the program director). KIIS will purchase a roundtrip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

Flights to and from Costa Rica are typically the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

Take Your Education Further

Additional information

Subject

, , , ,

Term

Back To Top