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Focus On Costa Rica

Program Details

Program Length	Start	End	Price	Age on Departure
Year Program	FEB 10	JAN 11	24,000	17

Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations for Western students and with good reason! Costa Rica is Spanish for “the rich coast”, and you’ll discover that it’s just another way of saying “paradise”. This lush country is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea with 755 miles of coastline. More than 30 percent of the country – including its famous rainforest – is set aside as national parkland or protected areas. Costa Rica has 500 bird species, 8,000 plant species, majestic volcanoes, countless rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see. It is also home to proud, friendly and peaceful citizens known as “Ticos”. Costa Rica is one handful if nations in the world that does not have an army! Instead, it spends heavily on heath care and education. Families are close and meals typically contain rice, beans, corn, meat, chicken or fish. You and your new Costa Rican friends will probably socialise in groups, enjoying movies, dancing, parties or community clubs. The country hosts more than 350 students from 19 countries each year and has more than 50 years of experience in AFS network.

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Costa Rica

The school year runs from mid Feb through November, with vacations during Easter and July. Most students will attend co-ed public schools where classes consist mainly of lectures and discussions. School uniform are the norm. Attending school is an intergral part of your experience and is the best way to make friends and get to know everyday life as a Costa Rican teen. One of those ways is through the study groups that often meet after school in students’ houses, especially before exams. But its not all studying; teenagers like to organise outings together as well. AFS Costa Rica also organises interesting trips during your stay, and ever October there is a nationally organised Festival Intercultural where AFS Exchange Students represent their countries to host families, volunteers and friends. At the end of your program, an end of stay orientation will allow you to look back and talk with other AFS’ers about your experience.