Drexel in Costa Rica: International Center for Development Studies
The ICDS Costa Rica program is a wonderful opportunity to live, study and even co-op in Costa Rica. Students spend one or more terms in San Jose with the International Center for Development Studies (ICDS). Through the program, students acquire in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience on the multidimensionality of sustainable human development and the current challenges faced by the region. For more information please visit http://www.icds.ac.cr/abroad-programs/.
Read first-hand about life on the ICDS program in Costa Rica on a Drexel student's blog!
Watch the ICDS program video; view a video about the Tortuguero excursion to Nicaragua; and watch a video about the community work experience in ICDS´ field trip to Pacuare.
San José is a cosmopolitan city with many cultural and recreational activities. It is located in Costa Rica's Central Plateau, surrounded by beautiful mountains and volcanoes, and within driving distance to the Pacific coast and Atlantic coasts. The urban transportation system is quite efficient, and you can take a bus to just about anywhere in the country.
Activities: Upon arrival, students receive a 2 day orientation, which provides students with insights and strategies to better manage the process of integration to a new cultural context, while allowing group interaction and integration. The program also includes field trips (one international for fall and winter programs) into other parts of Costa Rica to enhance your experience of the culture.
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Prior study of Spanish language
- Sophomore status or higher
Drexel students take courses on a variety of topics depending on their area of interest. All students take a Community Engagement course and a Spanish language course based on their language level. Courses are held at ULatina and the majority are taught in English, though students may opt to complete their coursework in Spanish if desired. Starting Fall 2016, there will be elective courses in fall and winter terms that are taught in Spanish for students with an advanced Spanish. Local Costa Rican students will also be part of the programs, providing even more contact and immersion into Costa Rican culture. The courses are structured around lecture, student projects and participation, and presentations by field professionals. Faculty members are primarily Latin American scholars with international experience and education. The ICDS program also includes field trips and cultural activities to enhance the learning experience.
The language pre-requisite for this program is Spanish 101, or the equivalent. To advance their language skills more quickly before studying abroad, students should consider taking more language courses on campus during their co-op terms. For more information please contact Modern Languages Department at 215-895-5816.
Course Availability
FALL OR WINTER PROGRAM: DEVELOPMENT STUDIES IN LATIN AMERICA
Students take 5 courses for 20 Drexel credits. (Each course is worth 4 credits)
Students take 2 required core courses:
Community Engagement & Sustainable Human Development: A Service Learning Course
Spanish Language
Students also choose 3 of the following elective courses:
Development in Latin America from a Gender Perspective
Human Rights in Latin America: A Critical Approach
Democracy in Central America: And Ongoing Question
Current Environmental Issues in Latin America
Rural & Urban Sustainable Development
Sustainable Tourism & Local Development
Literatura Centroamericana (taught in Spanish)
Latin America: A Mirror of Reality Through Film
**If fewer than 6 students sign up for any elective course, it will not be offered that term and students will have the option to choose another course.
SPRING PROGRAM: SPORTS, SPANISH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Students take 3 courses for 15 Drexel credits. Please note that Spring 2017 will be the first time ICDS offers Sports, Spanish and Community Engagement which is replacing the previous program: "LANGUAGE, CULTURE, & DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA."
Required courses
Spanish courses at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels (6 credits)
Community Engagement and Sustainable Human Development in Latin America (4.5 credits) (This is a new course pending approval)
Elective courses
Sports in Latin America (4.5 credits) (This is a new course pending approval)
Latin America A Mirror of Reality Through Film (4.5 credits)
Course Equivalencies
IAll courses on the ICDS program have been pre-approved for Drexel credits and equivalents.
View ICDS-Drexel course equivalents here?
Grading
Students will receive Drexel credit and grades for the courses taken on the ICDS program.
Students may choose to participate in any of the following program options, depending on their interests, co-op cycle, and whether they prefer a study only or a study + co-op in Costa Rica option.
Fall Semester Dates and Itinerary
| Program Start Date |
Early Sept* |
| Program End Date |
Late November |
*Students may need to leave summer term early.
Winter Semester Dates and Itinerary
| Program Start Date |
Mid January |
| Program End Date |
Mid April |
Spring Semester Dates and Itinerary
| Program Start Date |
Mid March |
| Program End Date |
Early June |
Winter study + Spring/Summer Coop Dates and Itinerary
| Program Start Date |
Mid January |
| Program End Date |
Mid April |
Fall/Winter + Spring/Summer Coop Dates and Itinerary
| Program Start Date |
Early September |
| Program End Date |
Mid September of the following year |
Students should prepare to make adjustments and be flexible in fitting this program into their Drexel schedule. Due to the need for cycle adjustments, students should begin planning 12-18 months in advance
Drexel students will be housed with a host family in Costa Rica. ICDS's experienced home stay coordinator is in charge of the selection of host families and the placement of students with an appropriate one, as well as of the follow-up on the student-family relationship to solve any problems that may arise. Check out the
ICDS program video on homestays.
IUS citizens on ICDS's fall only, winter only, or spring only programs will not be required to obtain a visa, as the program is less than 90 days. Students remaining in Costa Rica for more than 3 months and/or students who are not US citizens may be required to obtain a visa. Students may contact the Embassy of Costa Rica for more information.
Program Costs
This is a Drexel sponsored program, thus your Drexel tuition and financial aid remain the same during your term(s) abroad. For additional program cost and budget information, please view the budget sheet linked at the top of this page. Students may also want to submit a revised budget to Drexel Central to see if additional funding may be available.
Financial Aid
Financial aid applies for this program. Students who receive Federal Work Study should consider applying for the Study Abroad Online Journalist work study position (after acceptance).
Scholarships
To seek additional funding, review the Scholarship & Funding Opportunities. Remember that scholarship deadlines may be much earlier than study abroad deadlines, so plan accordingly.
For more information on these and many other scholarship opportunities, visit our Scholarships page.
