Overview

Location(s)	San Jose, Costa Rica
Term(s)	Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, Summer
Areas of Study	Art, Biology, Business, Communication, Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Photography, Political Science, Psychology, Queer Studies, Religion, Sustainablity Studies Spanish including the following areas: Language & Literature, Spanish for Law Enforcement, Spanish for Business, Spanish for Tourism and Spanish for Health Professionals
Housing	Host Family
Passport	Required
Visa (for US citizens)	Required for programs 90 days or longer

Eligibility

GPA	2.7
Grad credit	Not Available
Non-WIU	No
Pre-requisite	None. Basic Spanish skills strongly recommended
Student Year	Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Entry Requirements

Passport:  Required. Must be valid for at least six (6) months after your study abroad program ends.  For information on how to apply for or renew a passport, see Passports 101 .
Current passport processing times are 12-18 weeks.  Plan accordingly to avoid issues obtaining your visa, airine tickets, and other necessary items for travel.  Failure to receive your passport in time can lead to postponement of your program.

Visa:  Visas are only required for programs of 90 days or longer.  You may enter Costa Rica as a tourist and apply for your student visa after arrival.  All students must enter Costa Rica with a return plane ticket to avoid paying a fine on entry.  More information on visa requirements can be found on the Embassy of Costa Rica website . 
Failure to follow the visa rules can lead to forced removal from your program, legal issues in Costa Rica, and financial consequences.

Health Insurance

It is University policy that you must have international health insurance for the time you are abroad.  Only two options are approved to meet this requirement:
  • WIU Student Health Insurance
  • A supplemental plan (Patriot Travel Medical) from International Medical Group (IMG) .

Health Precautions

COVID-19 - You are REQUIRED to follow the policies of your host school, host country, the CDC and TSA. It is your responsibility to know and understand these policies. If policies change before or during your program, it is your responsbility to comply with the new policies. Failure to do so can result in removal from your program and/or the host country, financial consequences and academic consequences at the host school and WIU.

Walking/mobility/travel - Expect more walking than on-campus.  It is a mixture of urban (pavement/concrete) and natural (grass/dirt) terrain, including uneven/hilly terrain and up/down flights of stairs.  Some historic sites and tourist areas have limited handicapped accessibility.  Sidewalks in these areas can be narrow with uneven surfaces.  

Vaccinations - No vaccinations are required for entry into Costa Rica.  Up to date vaccination recommendations are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website .

Accessibility - Accessibility and accommodation are very different from that found in the United States.  Please contact Disability Resources for questions on the availability of accommodations for your specific situation.

PLEASE NOTE  It is your responsibility to request accommodation from DR; staff are not legally permitted to inquire about such needs.  Requests should be made as early as possible so there's sufficient time to arrange accommodations in your location. 

Costs (Comparative Table)

last updated 7/22/2021                

Semester Programs

Items	WIU	Veritas
Tuition 12 semester hours, plan V	4,690.00	3,535.00
Commitment Fee		75.00
Health Insurance	795.00	250.00
Passport		135.00
Housing and Meals	4,900.00	4,092.00
Student visa ( only for programs 90+ days)		300.00
Books and Supplies	480.00	190.00
Total	10,865.00	8,577.00*

  *You are responsible for purchasing your own flights. 

 

Summer Programs (2 months)

Items	WIU	Veritas
Tuition 6 semester hours, plan V	2,345.00	1,670.00
Commitment Fee		75.00
Health Insurance		125.00
Passport		135.00
Housing and Meals	1,560.00	2,128.00
Books and Supplies	240.00	190.00
Total	4,145.00	4,323.00*

*You are responsible for purchasing your own flights. 

Various types of aid are available to help fund your experience.  Check out our Financial Aid and Scholarships pages for more details.

Academics

You will take 4-5 classes per semester at Veritas, equaling 12-15 sh at WIU.  Depending on the length of your summer program, you will take either 1 or 2 courses, equaling 3-6 sh at WIU.  It is possible to participate in both summer sessions.

Courses at Veritas are taught in English or Spanish:
English-taught courses are offered in a variety of areas of study.  These courses are taught throughout the year.   

Spanish-taught courses are for students who are fluent in Spanish.  "Regular"' Veritas courses are held with local students in the disciplines of Art, Architecture and Design during the Fall and Spring semesters only.
 
Intensive Spanish language immersion courses are for students who want to improve their fluency in Spanish.  These courses are taught in month-long sessions, allowing you to take several courses in one semester.  Multiple levels of courses are offered Veritas throughout the year. 

 

Housing/Meals

The accommodation option at Veritas is host families.  More information is available on the Veritas University Housing website .