San Ramon, Costa rica
USAC Program
Program Focus: Tropical Life Sciences, Spanish and Culture Studies
Program Web Site – www.usac.unr.edu
Academic Calendar Dates
Late Aug. – Mid Dec. (Fall Semester)
Early Jan. – Early May (Spring Semester)
Submit an application before the Application Deadline.
Program Description
The San Ramón program offers you the opportunity to study among three diverse academic areas: Tropical Life Sciences, Spanish and Culture Studies. However, these are not exclusive of one another; you may choose courses from any area.
The focus of this program allows you to further enhance your academic knowledge in the tropical life sciences. You may choose from courses in tropical ecology, tropical marine biology, conservation biology, environmental policy and other life science topics within Costa Rica. You will also be able to augment your regular coursework by enrolling in several related field study courses such as Tropical Conservation Biology and Tropical Ecology Field Study, Tropical Marine Biology Field Study, Biological Diversity Field Study, and Ecology and Population Biology Field Study.
San Ramón
San Ramón is situated about halfway between San José and Puntarenas, in the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica. The city has a population of roughly 14,000 and is easily accessible by road from many other cities. Set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains, San Ramón is truly the heart of Costa Rica, where you will encounter friendly people, a relaxed lifestyle and a low crime rate.
San Ramón is an ideal location for students interested in ecology and biology. Manuel Brenes, one of the richest forest reserves in Costa Rica, is located just outside the city. It offers a number of hiking trails and canopy tours where one can take in the cloud forest and spot rare quetzals, hummingbirds, monkeys, coatis, deer and sloths.
Within the city, students will find an impressive church, many excellent restaurants and shops, a variety of banks, a mall and theatres. Just north of the main square is the Museo de San Ramón, which showcases the important role the city has played in Costa Rican history and culture. Known as “the city of presidents and poets,” San Ramon has been home to many of Costa Rica’s great political and literary figures, such as former President Jose Figueres Ferrer, who abolished the country’s army and granted women the right to vote.
Curriculum Type:
The USAC San Ramón Program offers courses in the following courses:
- Advanced Spanish I
- Advanced Spanish II
- Animal Behavior
- Biological Diversity
- Biological Diversity Field Study
- Dances of Latin America
- Ecology and Population Biology
- Ecology and Population Biology Field Study
- Elementary Spanish I
- Elementary Spanish II
- Environmental Policy
- Global Issues in Environment Sciences
- Independent Research
- Intermediate Spanish I
- Intermediate Spanish II
- International Political Economy: North-South Relations
- Latin America and its Cultures
- Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
- Society and Environment
- Spanish Composition I
- Spanish Composition II
- Spanish Conversation
- Survey of Latin-American Literature I
- Survey of Latin-American Literature II
- Tropical Conservation Biology
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Tropical Ecology Field Study
- Tropical Ecology
- Tropical Ecology Field Study
- Tropical Marine Biology
- Tropical Marine Biology Field Study
Types of Accommodation:
Home Stays- The families are located within easy commuting distance of the university and will provide you with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner for an additional cost. Boarding with a family provides an unmatched opportunity for speaking Spanish and experiencing Costa Rican culture.
Shared Apartment- Apartments in the area are available for rent. The Resident Director will provide you with information upon arrival in San Ramón. However, it will be your responsibility to locate an apartment and to make all rental agreements.
Program Fees
2008-2009 - $5,380 per semester, $10,260 per year
* Does not include room, meals, utilities, personal expenses, deposit, textbooks and supplies, airfare
Loyola Fee - $1000 for semester and yearlong programs
Deposit - $200.00
Aid Transfer - Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal PLUS Loans, IL Monetary Award Program Grant (MAP)
