JOIN THE GRUPO DE KANSAS FOR A SEMESTER OR YEAR ABROAD
SAN JOSÉ,
COSTA RICA
“
The program was everything that I was looking for in a study abroad experience — living with a host family, classes with local students, challenging and interesting courses, and the ability to travel easily and frequently.
”
- Mariah Byrne, Georgetown University
Honduras Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
SAN JOSÉ
Panama
Why Grupo de Kansas? In 1958, the University of Kansas and the Universidad de Costa Rica began the longest running exchange in the Western Hemisphere. In the last 55+ years, we’ve been proud to serve more than 2,500 students from across the U.S. as part of the Grupo de Kansas in San José. ¡Pura vida! Strong academic opportunities
Language preparation Our three-credit Early Start
The Universidad de Costa Rica
Intensive Spanish Program
(UCR) is the top research
is a great way to practice
institution in Central America
language skills before the
and is a highly competitive
semester starts. Students of
university within Costa Rica.
all levels find it helpful and
Grupo de Kansas participants
fun—especially because they
directly enroll in classes with
get to enjoy Costa Rica one
the best students and faculty
month early!
in Costa Rica.
Duration
Earn credit at orientation Students earn three credit
Our program lasts six to
hours during our one month
seven months—making it
on-site orientation program.
one of the longest semester
It is designed to prepare
programs in Costa Rica—
students for life in San José
allowing students to take
and classes at UCR. It also
full advantage of everything
includes three excursions
Costa Rica has to offer.
that highlight the natural
Accessible and supportive staff Two full-time, on-site program coordinators work exclusively for the program in our Grupo de Kansas office, which is conveniently located on the UCR campus. They provide individual academic advising, assist with host families and housing, organize airport transfers, and coordinate on-site orientation.
1970
wonders of Costa Rica.
Excellent value
2014
Students on the Grupo de Kansas program get more value for their tuition and fees because they spend at least six months immersed in the language and culture. Plus, our low fee also includes housing, classes, meals, excursions, and much more.
d id y o u k n o The Grupo
program
w?
de Kansas
offers clas ses for almost al l majors at the Universid ad de Cos ta Rica.
d id y o u k n o Students
spending
an academ
Costa Rica’s biodiversity, social and political stability, and friendly study abroad. As the birthplace of ecotourism, Costa Rica boasts 400 miles of coastline, active volcanoes, national parks, cloud forests, and rain forests. San José, Costa Rica’s capital, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers world-class museums, the National Theatre, and competitive sporting events. Our program blends the
Academic Calendar Fall Semester Early Start Intensive Spanish Program + Semester at UCR: Mid-June – Mid-December
Fall 2016 Semester: Early July – Mid-December
Rica’s natural wonders.
Academic Year Early Start Intensive Spanish Program + Academic Year at UCR:
The Grupo de Kansas program
Mid-June – Mid-July
attractions of a great city with the opportunity to explore Costa
offers students the unique opportunity to improve their Spanish and earn credit towards their major. Students prepare for their semester at UCR during a one-month Early Start Intensive Spanish program followed by a four-week orientation. Students of all majors are eligible for this program, and students can enroll in almost any course offered at UCR.
in
ic year in
Costa Ric a can star t the Grupo de Kansas program in either the fall or spri ng semes ter.
overview locals make it an ideal place to
w?
interested
Academic Year: Early July – Mid-July
Spring Semester Early Start Intensive Spanish Program + Semester at UCR: Early January - Late July
Spring 2017 Semester: Early February - Late July * Please check the KU Office of Study Abroad’s website for exact dates.
What’s included Pre-departure Pre-departure advising sessions with KU program coordinator Pre-departure materials & support Access to KU peer advisors & past
On-site (continued) UCR activity fees Housing with a host family, including internet Three meals per day Laundry services
program participants
Volunteer opportunities
Visa application
Excursions throughout
assistance
Costa Rica
Lonely Planet: Costa Rica
Computer, internet, &
guidebook
printing in the Grupo de
Optional group flight itinerary provided
On-site Two on-site, full-time pro-
Kansas office Host family picnic 24-hour emergency assistance from KU staff in Costa Rica & the U.S.
gram coordinators who work
Medical evacuation and
exclusively for KU
repatriation insurance
Airport reception & drop-off On-site orientation
Re-entry services
(3 credit hours)
Official transcript
Directly enroll in classes
Program Evaluation Credit transfer support
academic program The Grupo de Kansas program is designed to help students strengthen their foundation in Spanish and acclimate to Costa Rica. Students will become comfortable taking their classes in Spanish and will learn about the local culture to assist them in integrating into Costa Rican life. Students with 4 semesters of college-level Spanish will be required to participate in the Early Start Intensive Spanish Program. Students who have taken 5 or more semesters of college-level Spanish are encouraged to enroll in the Early Start Program, but are not required to do so.
subjects offered: Anthropology, Applied Behavioral Science, Architecture, Art, Astronomy, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classics, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Design, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environ-
early start program Reinforce Spanish skills during a one-month intensive Spanish language program.
mental Studies, Film & Media Studies, Geography, Geology, Health, Sport & Exercise Science, History, Journalism, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Marine Science, Mathematics, Music, Nursing, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish,
on-site orientation Prepare for the challenges of rigorous academic work and learn more about Costa Rica’s unique culture.
Theatre, Urban Planning, Visual Art
semester at ucr eligibility: The Grupo de Kansas program is open to students from any accredited U.S. college or university who have at least sophomore standing. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 4 semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent).
Enroll directly at the Universidad de Costa Rica and take courses in a variety of subjects. Classes are taught in Spanish.
Did You
Grup
Know?
o de Kans as st are e uden ncou ts rage join U d to CR in tram spor ural ts an d stu dent orga nizat ions.
After arriving in San JosĂŠ, students take a language placement test and are placed into an appopriate intensive Spanish language course with other international students. The instructors prepare students by working on Spanish grammar, Costa Rican vocabulary, conversation skills, and writing style. Smaller class sizes will allow students individualized attention and more opportunities to practice the skills they are learning. Students earn 3 credit hours of Spanish for this course. Students with 4 semesters of college-level Spanish are required to participate in the Early Start Program. It is optional for students who have taken 5 or more semesters of college-level Spanish.
This unique four-week orientation provides a cultural and historical introduction to Costa Rica through lectures and excursions. Instructors will also focus on upper-level Spanish academic writing skills. Students may, among other activities, interview locals from different parts of Costa Rica, put on skits, and learn how to utilize the UCR library. Students will receive 3 credits for orientation. Orientation excursions usually include visits to art museums, the Central Market and the National Theatre in San JosĂŠ, as well as day and weekend excursions. All Grupo de Kansas students participate in on-site orientation and the included excursions.
After orientation, students enroll in courses at UCR with local students, taught by local faculty. Students are eligible to take most courses at UCR if they meet the required prerequisites. Students can take a wide variety of courses from different departments at UCR, such as Traditional Costa Rican Dance, Tropical Ecology, Latin American Geography, Comparative Politics, or the Natural History of Costa Rica. A full schedule of classes is available on the Grupo de Kansas website. Students take a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester; most students take between 4 and 6 courses. Students will receive a University of Kansas transcript listing their courses and grades.
Grupo De Kansas Staff Zaida Ugalde and Isabel Alcázar have both worked with the Grupo de Kansas since 1997. Their experience and knowledge of Costa Rica, San José, and UCR allows them to better advise students about all aspects of their time abroad. Zaida and
Zaida Ugalde
Isabel work with students on
On-site Program
matters related to academics,
Coordinator
enrollment, student visas, volunteer opportunities, housing, and medical and non-medical emergencies. They organize the on-site orientation that includes classes, lectures, and excursions, match host families and students, and serve as liaisons between the UCR and the University of Kansas Office of Study Abroad.
Isabel Alcázar On-site Assistant
Program Coordinator
Accommodations
Host Families
The Grupo de Kansas proudly offers host family accommodations because of the great strides students make in their language abilities when living with locals. Host families can also help students to better understand and appreciate the Costa Rican culture. The on-site program coordinators arrange individual host family placements for each student after carefully selecting the families and visiting their homes. They match host families and students based
“Living with my moms was by far my favorite part of my time in Costa Rica. Sara and Sole quickly became two of my best friends. My
on student preferences. Host families
fondest memories are those spent at
will provide three meals daily and can
home with the two of them. I loved
accommodate most dietary restrictions.
creating our own rituals as a family.
When possible, several Grupo de Kansas
More than just helping me practice
students will be placed in the same
my Spanish, they provided me with
neighborhood. Many host families have
unconditional support and countless
been hosting Grupo de Kansas students
memories that I will cherish forever.�
for a decade or more.
— Jackie Langdon, University of Kansas
experience more of costa rica During on-site orientation, students will participate in a number of organized activities outside of San José. These include at least two day trips and one overnight excursion. The on-site program coordinators will accompany students and make travel arrangements. Past excursions have included:
Poás Volcano National Park Take a day excursion to visit the Poás volcano. This national park has hiking trails that lead to an ancient crater, which is now a lagoon. The mile-wide crater is the largest in the world. This excursion isn’t complete without stopping at a small soda shop for a batido de fresa made of locally grown strawberries!
Las Chucaras Hot Springs These hot springs are on a privately owned coffee finca located just outside of San José. At the finca students learn about the entire coffee growing and production process. Afterwards, students can relax in the hot spring pool surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountainside. Students will also enjoy a delicious traditional meal.
Punta Leona Hotel & Beach Club Just 60 minutes from San José, the deep-blue waters of the Pacific surround Hotel Punta Leona. Set among secluded white sand beaches and spectacular rainforests, this vacation destination offers students the opportunity to visit a butterfly garden, enjoy dance classes, or go on a morning or night hike in the reserve. There’s something for everyone at Punta Leona!
Interested in Volunteering? The Grupo de Kansas staff can find volunteer opportunities for interested students. Past student volunteers have worked in an orphanage or tutored UCR students in English. Students can also join Un Techo para mi País, a non-profit organization that builds homes. Before or after the Grupo de Kansas program, students may choose to participate in a month-long volunteer program at one of the Costa Rican National Parks through la Asociación de Voluntarios para el Servicio en Áreas Protegidas (ASVO).
Contact us WEB email PHONE
studyabroad.ku.edu studyabroad@ku.edu 785.864.3742
Information about the Brochure: Credits: Designed by Chad Uhl. Photos provided by Andy Larkin, Jackie Langdon, Duncan McHenry, and the UCR marketing department.
learn more Visit our website at: studyabroad.ku.edu/costarica Course information and application instructions can be found online. For questions, more information, or to set up an in-person or phone appointment with the KU program coordinator, please contact the KU Office of Study Abroad.
“Going abroad is all about pushing comfort limits and learning new things about yourself and Costa Rica. The direct enrollment and home stay experience are difficult for certain, but in the end they are what makes the program so worthwhile!� - Sheila Murray, St. Lawrence University
The University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad 1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Lippincott Hall Room 108 Lawrence, KS 66045 785.864.3742 studyabroad@ku.edu studyabroad.ku.edu