COSTA RICA: CLASSIC
Travel and experience life in another country, learn the language and live with a host family on a classic high school student exchange. The classic high school student exchange program provides you with your own unique experience and opportunity to see a little bit of the world.
HOW LONG CAN I STUDY ABROAD?
Late August–Late November
Application due:
February 28
Early February–Late April
Application due:
September 30
Late August–Late November
Application due:
February 28
Early February–Late April
Application due:
September 30
Late August–Late November
Application due:
February 28
Early February–Late April
Application due:
September 30
ACCOMMODATION STYLE: HOMESTAY
What better way to learn the language and culture than to live with a host family. Host families provide a warm and welcoming environment, providing meals in the home as well as an opportunity to immerse yourself in everything the country and culture has to offer. Just like families in Canada, host families abroad represent many different compositions, nationalities and live in a variety of different areas from small towns or villages to larger cities. Families come in all shapes and sizes but one thing they all have in common is that they are motivated to be part of the experience and look forward to welcoming you into their home!
ORIENTATION: LANGUAGE CAMP & LOCAL ORIENTATION
The program in Costa Rica starts with a mandatory language camp provided by the Institute for Spanish Language Studies at one of their Costa Rican campuses. You can select 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks of language instruction – to help you get a kick start with the language and acclimate to the Costa Rican culture before starting at the local high school!
The language camp includes 4 complete hours of Spanish instruction a day, with classes from 8:30am – 1pm. The afternoons are free to fill with local activities or you can opt to purchase tours or additional classes (please inquire!).
In addition to the language courses, a local coordinator will provide you with a local orientation to help you get to know your placement community and the culture of Costa Rica!
FOREIGN LANGUAGE: SPANISH
6 months – 1 year of Spanish language study is required.
All students are required to take a minimum 2 week language camp course. Should the level of Spanish not be sufficient for success and integration in the local high school, additional tutoring may be required.
SCHOOL LIFE: LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL
Attend a local public school (private school option may be presented if available).
School Year: School starts at the end of February and ends in December
Common courses: Math, History, Physical Education, Science
Average hours per week: 35 hours of class per week.
Common school holidays: 2 week winter break in July, 2 weeks at Easter, the summer break is in December and January.
Fun fact: Many schools have some pretty fun uniforms!
COMMON PLACEMENT LOCATIONS
We've placed students all over Costa Rica and these are some of the more common placement areas.
Click on the buttons below to view location on map.
Costa Rica at a Glance
Population
4.8 Million
Capital City
San Jose
Known For
Rainforests, Volcanoes, Eco-Conscious, Monkeys & Tree Frogs, La Pura Vida Attitude
Currency
Costa Rican Colon
Language
Spanish
Say Hello
Hola!Program Fees
(2022/23)
Program not Available
(2022/23)
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What’s Included for the Student Exchange Program?
- School Registration and Placement
- Host Family Recruitment, Screening and Placement
- Food and Lodging with Host Family
- Full and Comprehensive Medical Insurance provided by Guard.me
- Pre-Departure Orientation in Canada
- Arrival Orientation in Host Country
- Monthly Monitoring and Progress Reports
- 24 hour Emergency Support Overseas
- Academic Support
- Arrival Greeting by Representative from Partner Organisation and/or host family
- Round trip ground transfer between final host port (airport, train or bus station) and host family home
- Provision of Program Documentation: Orientation manual and other materials to prepare for student exchange And
- The Opportunity to LEARN-TRAVEL-EXPERIENCE!
Additional fees the student is responsible for include:
- Airfare (While the airfare is not included in our pricing, we can help you find the best deal and recommend travel sites)
- Passport and Visa Fees (if required)
- School supplies, uniforms (if required), cafeteria lunch (if required) or extra-curricular activity fees
- Personal Spending money while abroad
- Transportation to and from school for some students, dependent on where the host family is located. Some students are required to take a bus or train, while others walk or bike to school. This is dependent on where the host family is located.
- Any cancellation, change or program addition fees as issued by YES Canada or the partner organisation.
*Please note that YES Canada reserves the right to modify and update program options, leading to changes in pricing. Please note that pricing may be subject to change. Please note which program term the posted rates apply to, if the term you are applying for is not posted please inquire.
*Note: Students from the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or private schools may be subject to an additional tuition levy of $1000. Note that whether a student participates in a one-way exchange or hosts an international student in their home, a reciprocal exchange occurs at the school level. As such, the tuition free exchange is provided when a Canadian student travels abroad and an international student assumes their place in the local school or school board. In instances where a reciprocal exchange cannot occur within a school board/province a levy may be charged. Please email info@youthedservices.ca for more details about fees and the participating provinces/school board designations.
Payment Schedule
- $500.00 application fee due with the submission of the full application. The application fee is only refunded in instances where the student is not accepted.
- Host Country Program Deposit due upon conditional acceptance. (Please note fees are specific to each exchange country).
- 35% of the remaining program fees are due upon receipt of the full acceptance letter.
- 40% of the remaining program fees are due 95 days prior to departure.
- 25% of the remaining program fees are due 35 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy
- The $500.00 application fee is non-refundable, and due upon submission of the application to YES Canada.
- In the event of cancellation after conditional acceptance either all or a portion of the host country deposit is non-refundable (approximately $500-$1000). Please inquire for specic country details regarding non-refundable deposits (Dependent upon destination: France, Belgium, Australia and Spain have higher cancellation fees at this stage).
- In the event of cancellation after full acceptance but prior to confirmation of the host family placement, 35% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation after confirmation of the host family placement, 55% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation after partner company visa documents have been issued 65% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation less than 30 days prior to departure 75% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event of cancellation after program commences 100% of the program fee is non-refundable.
- In the event the program is cancelled by YES Canada a refund will be given.
- Please contact YES Canada for any COVID-19 specific policy details.
*Some countries vary from the standard policy. Please inquire.
*Extenuating circumstances will be considered. All cancellations must be received in writing.
