Each morning, you will receive 4 hours of Spanish language instruction, 5 days a week. The ICADS Spanish program is based on the ACTFL levels, and students develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Through superior-quality materials developed at ICADS and a variety of methods employed by experienced staff according to the needs of the students. The focus is 100% communicative. 

Each afternoon, organized activities supplement the language learning experience and expose students to culture and to issues of importance in Costa Rica. Lectures from guest speakers, visits to local museums, and weekend excursions are all available.

Additionally, put your Spanish to work outside of the classroom, and dive into Central American reality through volunteering opportunities at local community organizations. *Opportunities are contingent upon Spanish level and are determined after arrival. 

Evaluation in the intensive Spanish programs is based on a combination of participation, homework, tests and quizzes, and oral presentations. ICADS is happy to provide a transcript for credit transfer to your university. **However you must notify ICADS at the beginning of the course that you intend to transfer credit. Requests for credit after the course has ended cannot be accommodated.

Credits: You will receive 6 credits of Spanish. 

Block 1: (2 weeks)

Spanish Preparation and Internship Selection

• Spend the first two weeks of the program in intensive Spanish classes (four hours per day, 5 days a week) geared to your individual abilities.

• Get to know San José and live with a Costa Rican host family.

• Explore internship sites and themes and decide on a placement that meets your needs and interests.

 Block 2: (6 Weeks)

Structured Internship

• Spend 6 weeks in an unique internship placement.

• Immerse yourself in Costa Rican language and culture.

Block 3 (1 Week)

Written Work and Oral Presentation

• Upon completion of your internship, return to ICADS to complete a portfolio describing your experience, and present your work to other interns.

Credits: You will receive 6 credits of Spanish.

Spanish Intensive Dates are June 1- June 26, 2026 OR July 6-July 31, 2026

Summer Program Internship Dates: June 1- July 31, 2026

Upon arrival, students are placed with Costa Rican families. As an integral part of the program, this home-stay experience facilitates language learning and active participation in the culture and society of Costa Rica.

Students are always placed in host families within a ten-minute bus ride or a thirty-minute walk to ICADS. Someone from the student’s host family will accompany the student to and from ICADS on the first day of classes to show each student the route. Each student is provided with a map that clearly indicates the location of his/her home as well as the location of the houses of all other students in his/her cluster. The fact that students are placed in close proximity to one another increases safety by allowing them to walk together and to share the required taxi ride when returning home at night, which is quite inexpensive when they can share the fare.

Each student lives with a local host family who not only feeds and supports the student, but also helps to monitor her/his whereabouts at all times. If a student does not return home on schedule for any reason, we are immediately notified. Families also help us monitor the state of the physical health and emotional well being of each student. Families also help us monitor each student’s physical health and emotional well-being.

We work hard to place students with families who represent the typical Costa Rican home to greater enhance students’ cultural experience, while prioritizing safety. We feel that it is absolutely essential that our students always feel safe and comfortable within their homes.

Spanish Program Tuition fee for Summer 2026 is $2,490.00. (3.5 weeks)

Summer Internship Tuition fee for Summer 2026 is $5,975.00 (8.5 weeks)

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work.

For non-SPARK eligible students, you will be eligible for some funding from the Center for International Education.

Spanish Intensive Program deadline for Summer 2026 is April 1, 2026

Summer Internship Program deadline for Summer 2026 is March 15, 2026.

Students will be responsible for arranging and paying for their round trip airfare. Nazareth University will advise all students of the best flight connections for timely arrival at the study site. Questions about travel are amply covered at orientation meetings on the Nazareth Campus or to visiting students through advisement by telephone or email. All students will be met at San Jose Airport, provided they give advance notice to the program.

All students will need a valid passport that continues to be valid at least six months after the conclusion of the program in Costa Rica.

It is necessary to take proof of health insurance coverage, as well as a valid student ID and Driver's License (or any other official form of secondary identification).