Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Environment, Health & Wellness
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Location
San José
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Host University
Universidad Veritas
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Term
J-Term 1 2026
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Program Dates
Jan 01, 2026 - Jan 20, 2026
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Program Length
J-Term
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Application Deadline
Oct 01, 2025
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Oct 15, 2025
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Credit
40 - 45 Contact Hours
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Eligibility
2.50 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
$4,450
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Study Abroad Program Description
Our Environment, Health & Wellness program allows you to take one course during a two-week, J-Term session (January). Depending on the course, courses range from 40-45 contact hours. This program is perfect for students looking to study abroad during winter break before returning to their home universities, as well as those hoping to get an early start to their San José semester program.
Our J-Term program at Universidad Veritas offers a unique opportunity to experience ecology and health studies through project-based, hands-on coursework. Choose from a variety of subject areas, with a particular focus on environmental studies and wellness.
The majority of courses are taught in English by local faculty. Electives taught in Spanish for advanced-level speakers may also be offered. Classmates will be international students, the majority of whom will be North American.
Students are welcome to enroll in the J-Term as a standalone program or as a precursor to ISA's Spring 1B program. Please contact your Program Manager if you wish to participate in a J-Term in combination with another ISA program. It is not possible to combine this J-term program with the January Spanish Intensive Month in this location.
Housing between the J-Term and semester sessions is not included in the program price but may be secured at an additional cost.
*Eligibility
MINIMUM GPA
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES
There is no language prerequisite for this program.
To participate in this program, you must be 18 years of age or older.
What's Included
Comprehensive Advising and Support
24-Hour Emergency
Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support
Airport Reception*
Visa Support
Tuition at the Host University
Housing
Meals and Laundry Service*
Bridging Cultures Orientation
Full-Time Resident Staff
On-Site ISA Offices
Internet Access
ISA Discovery Model
Excursions*
Cultural Activities
Insurance
Official Transcript from the Host University
Professional Development Toolbox
Scholarship Opportunities
Academics
Credits
Contact Hours
40 - 45
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
2 - 3
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
4 - 4
Academic Information
Course Selection
You will take one course in this session. The course is a 2-week intensive course with classes meeting Monday - Friday.
All courses have a field study component, but 4-credit courses may require additional weekend field trips.
Please note that ISA cannot guarantee course placement and availability. For this reason, we ask all students to consider alternate courses in the event that their preferred courses are not available.
This program can be combined with our Spring 1B semester. For more information, contact your San José Program Manager.
Requests for sample syllabi can be made to your San José Program Manager.
Language Level Placement
All students enrolling in an elective taught in Spanish must take a Spanish language placement exam prior to departure. The exam will indicate each student's language proficiency level and determine the courses in which the student is eligible to enroll.
Course Level Recommendations
ISA offers course level recommendations for the courses listed below. Please note that the course level recommendations are solely based on the host university's input, but are not necessarily representative of course levels at your home university. These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisers and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions. At Veritas University, course codes are composed of two parts: an alpha code indicating the discipline or field of study and a numeric code that indicates the type of course and level. The first number indicates the level or degree of complexity of ongoing research.
• Courses that start with a 1 are introductory courses or beginner level language acquisition courses.
• Courses that start with a 2 are courses that require more hours of independent study and are intermediate level language acquisition courses.
• Courses that start with a 3 are courses that require research and presentations, have field trips or visits requiring reports, and are advanced level language acquisition courses.
• Courses that start with a 4 have a very similar level to level 3 courses, but usually are "specialty areas" within a discipline.
Transcript Information
The transcript from Universidad Veritas will reflect contact hours for each course listed below. Please be in touch with your home university regarding credit transfer for this program.
Courses
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Course Disclaimer
- Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations
Support & Funding
ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.
SUPPORT TEAM
Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.
Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.
Identity Resources
Accessibility & Accommodations
With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.
Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.
Destination Information
Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.
Identity Blog
ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.
Funding
All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!
If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.
Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org
Housing
Living in ISA housing will allow you the opportunity to experience aspects of the Costa Rican (Tico) lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. Regardless of your housing option, you will have a short commute to your university. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 15 and 30 minutes depending on housing and class locations. With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.
Homestay
Homestays are best if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. All housing is located in nice neighborhoods near the Universidad Veritas and offers glimpses of everyday life with easy access to city amenities. Homestays include breakfast and dinner every day (except for excursion days) and laundry service once a week. In your homestay you will have your own bedroom, although there may be another ISA student living in the same homestay. This will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new place and live as a local would, so take advantage, immerse yourself in the "pura vida", and let yourself become a Tico!
Apartment
Apartments are a great housing option if you are seeking complete independence during your time abroad. Apartments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited. Each apartment is fully furnished and rent is included in the program price. Apartments, located in San José, typically house four ISA students and are made up of single occupancy rooms. Meals and laundry service are not included.
Independent Housing
You may opt to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price. By choosing to opt out of ISA housing, you are responsible for researching and reserving housing, and paying all fees, deposits, and rent directly to the housing facility that you choose.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA
Excursions are not included in this session, however, while you are abroad, you will have the opportunity to take part in cultural activities offered by the ISA resident staff.
Cultural Activities in San José
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the culture of Costa Rica. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Costa Rica special. These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included cooking classes, a tour of the National Theatre, a visit to the art museum and picnic, a screening of a Costa Rican film, etc.