Costa Rica, San Jose

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Program Location

Map of Costa Rica with the Costa Rican flag

Quick Links

Scholarships & Funding

Program Brochure

Contact the Program Director

Sylwia Cavalcant

Social Science Department
P: 480-461-7369
Office: SD Campus SC14 - Room SC64
Email: smartyno@mesacc.edu

May 12-26, 2025

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Costa Rica, where the captivating landscapes and vibrant culture provide an enriching backdrop for a two-week immersion into the world of international business and economics.

Costa Rica, renowned for its commitment to environmental conservation, eco-friendly policies, and the concept of "pura vida", embodies a harmonious blend of nature, culture, and sustainable development. As you explore bustling markets, lush rainforests, and serene coastlines, you'll witness firsthand how this nation's values harmonize with economic principles.  Be immersed in an exceptional opportunity to expand horizons, broaden perspectives, and cultivate a deep understanding of global economic dynamics.

This study abroad program is a gateway to cultivating a global mindset, fostering cross-cultural competencies, and equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the intricate landscape of international business and economics. Engage in a comprehensive curriculum that integrates classroom instruction with experiential learning. Gain insights from distinguished faculty and local industry experts, while also participating in interactive workshops, group discussions, and case studies.

Join us on this transformative journey as we embark on a quest to unravel the economic mysteries of Costa Rica while savoring the essence of "pura vida."

Costa Rica Program Excursions

Summer Courses Offered

  • 6 credit program
  • REQUIRED post-trip coursework from May 27-July 3, 2025.
  • ECN211: Principles of Macroeconomics, 3 cr; fulfills SB
  • IBS101: Introduction to International Business, 3 cr; fulfills G
  • Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.

Photo Gallery

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A colorful Keel-billed toucan on a tree branch
A suspension bridge leading into a wooded area
A lush forest on hills in Costa Rica
Six kayaks on the beach near the water
The exterior of the National Theater of Costa Rica with the flag flying
A waterfall in lush rainforest
A colorful green honeycreeper bird on a tree branch
A monkey hanging from a tree branch eating leaves
A railroad tracks in between large trees with a gazebo in the background
A waterfall over a short cliff into a pool of water below

Detailed Information

Costa Rica Details

  • Host country logistics will be in collaboration with Texas Tech University-Costa Rica. Students will have access to all Texas Tech University-Costa Rica facilities.
  • Accommodations will be at apartments close to Texas Tech University-Costa Rica as well as at local hotels during excursions.
  • Breakfasts and accommodations at hotels for overnight excursions to Manuel Antonio, and Puerto Viejo.
  • Local community lectures to support economics and international business curriculum.
  • Welcome breakfast and farewell dinner included.

Did You Know?

  • More than 25 percent of Costa Rica is reserved as protected areas.
  • Costa Ricans call themselves ticos and are known by that name throughout Central America.
  • During an earthquake in 1991, the Costa Rican city of Puerto Limón rose 3 feet and never returned to its original elevation.
  • Costa Rica is one of the largest banana producers in the world.
  • Read detailed cultural information on Costa Rica provided by CultureGrams™.
    Costa Rica (2024). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.
  • Diversity Abroad Costa Rica Destination Guide

Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines

Expense Type Estimated Cost Deadline

Program Fee
Includes lodging, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, and secondary medical insurance.

How to Pay

 $3,562

Program Fee Due: Friday, Feb., 14, 2025

$250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance to program

Confirmation deposit is non-refundable after the program fee payment deadline.

Registration Fee

Tuition: 6 credits
In-state: $97 per credit hour
Course fee for ECN211

Out-of-state: $217 per credit hour

How to Pay

$15

$582

$50
Airfare (estimated cost)
Costa Rica airport exit fee of $29 may be charged when leaving CR airport (may be included in airfare ticket depending on airline)

$900

$  29 (unless included in airfare)

Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program.

Only AFTER you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare.

Meals (estimated cost)
Daily breakfasts and farewell dinner included.

 $450 Not needed until you land in Costa Rica!
TOTAL Estimated Costs

$5,588

  
 
ADDITIONAL COSTS    
Insurance for Participants 60+ Years of Age $3.56 per day The program fee includes secondary insurance for participants ages 18-59. There is an additional insurance charge of $3.56 per day for students 60 years and over.
Textbook for IBS101
 		 $200  
Optional coffee plantation tour $45  
Passport

Passport Info Here

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.		 $165/130
(new/renewal)		 Be sure to allow at least 14-18 weeks of processing time for first time applicants and renewals.
Visit the U.S. Department of State website for current fees and processing times.

Program Application Deadline

Space is limited.  Apply early to reserve your place!

If program reaches full capacity, you will be put on a waitlist.
  • Application Deadline: Feb., 2, 2025
  • Complete online application. Look for applications to open by late September
  • Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applications are reviewed & approved on a rolling basis.

Scholarships and Funding Your Program

Title Date(s) More Information

Maricopa Grant

MAXIMUM AWARD: $500

  • England & Puerto Peñasco programs are excluded.
  • Requires 2024-25 FAFSA and demonstration of financial need.
  • Must meet course applicability requirements.
  • Must be in an approved degree program at Mesa Community College.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen.

Deadline: 

Open from October 15, 2024-February 9, 2025

Must have put down a program deposit by Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at 5 pm.

Maricopa Grants will be announced after Summer financial aid begins awarding (typically mid-April to early-May).

Scholarship Portal

Keyword Search: Study Abroad Program at Mesa Community College

Get information on financial aid & grants, scholarships, and misc. resources for study abroad here.

PRIOR to applying for a scholarship, student must:

  • Be accepted into your study abroad program. Apply early!
  • Pay the program deposit online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
CashCourse
This free online resource is a great place to go for money management info, tips, calculators, articles, worksheets, and quizzes that can assist you in achieving financial success now and in the future.		 Take advantage of this great resource for Mesa Community College students to help budget for your study abroad program!

How To Register For Your Free CashCourse Account

1. Go to https://www.cashcourse.org/

2. Click on "Register for a Free Account" under the Students circle.

3. Fill in all of the required information fields and click Register.

Be sure to check out the Financial Tools. The Budget Wizard is an easy-to-use tool to start tracking where your money is going.

Passport to Success Grant

Maricopa Community Colleges was selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project Grant that will enable up to 5 eligible students from one of our 10 community colleges the funding and application assistance needed to receive a U.S. passport. Award recipients will be chosen by a competitive selection process.

Award Amount: $165.  

Will cover the costs for the application fee for a U.S. passport book ($130) and the execution/acceptance fee ($35).

Deadline to Apply: November 22, 2024

Apply HERE!

Student Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization or U.S. national (e.g., native of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
  • First-year student enrolled at one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges (students may apply for the passport funding regardless of their year in school; however, priority will be given to those in their first year)
  • Pell grant eligible
  • Meets diverse identity criteria, which may include any of the following: racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ students, gender diverse students, first-generation student (first in family to attend or graduate from a college or university), students with disabilities, students with demonstrated financial need, veterans, non-traditional age students, students who are parents, students who have never traveled abroad, rural students, student athletes, and students with majors academically more challenging to study abroad
  • Applying for a first adult U.S. passport (using DS-11 form), not renewing a previous passport—there may be some exceptions to this condition for U.S. military veterans or the children of U.S. military veterans
Title Date(s) More Information

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Students MUST apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from (even if taking program classes from MCC).

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
2nd Thursday of October (awards announced by December)

October 10, 2024
11:59 PM PST

Application is now OPEN!

March Application Deadline
1st Thursday of March (awards announced by May)
11:59 PM PST

GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP

Come learn how to write essays for the Gilman International Scholarship!

Wed., September 11, 2024

2-3 pm

meet.google.com/jaz-ghhd-esc
  • Must be a Pell Grant recipient.  Students apply indicating the school they are receiving their Pell Grant funding from. If you are not a receiving Pell Grant funding through MCC, you must apply for the Gilman through the school that you are receiving financial aid from.
  • Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. View Gilman Presentation here!
  • Review Gilman Essays Writing Tips.
  • Review Gilman Brainstorming Worksheet to help articulate ideas to frame your essays.
  • Review writing resources for ideas on crafting your Statement of Purpose:
  • Bring your draft to the Writing Center and get feedback on how to polish your "diamond in the rough"!
  • For application instructions, review this walkthrough video.
  • Watch videos of Gilman scholars abroad, alumni interviews, and tips from advisors and application reviewers on YouTube.
  • Note for Gilman application: For Program Administrator, select Mesa Community College

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

Gilman-McCain Eligibility

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
2nd Thursday of October (awards announced by December)

October 10, 2024
11:59 PM PST

Application cycle is now OPEN!

January Application Deadline

TBA
11:59 pm PST

 
  • Must be a child dependent of an active/activated US military personnel during time of application.
  • Must be a Title IV federal financial aid recipient.  Title IV funds include:
    • Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
    • Direct PLUS Loans
    • Federal Pell Grants
    • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs)
    • Federal Perkins Loans
  • Use the same Gilman application system as other Gilman Scholarship applicants.  Applicants will simply confirm that they are child dependent of an active duty military member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps).
  • If a student is receiving a Federal Pell Grant and is also a child dependent of an active duty military member, then the student is eligible for both Gilman scholarships and will automatically be considered for both but eligible to receive only one. If they are selected for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, then they will no longer be considered for the Gilman Scholarship.
Title Date(s) More Information

A New Leaf Assets to Opportunity (ATO)

A match savings program designed to help individuals save their own money in a special savings account and have their money matched for tuition, textbooks, and some study abroad program expenses with an 8:1 match.

Deadline:
Contact A New Leaf

ATO@turnanewleaf.org

Eligibility:

  • Must have earned income
  • Be a resident of Arizona
  • Income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty line
  • Commit to saving $500 and saving for at least 3 months
  • Commit to making $30 deposits twice per month
  • Complete a financial wellness workshop and any other program requirements
  • Contact: ATO@turnanewleaf.org
Title Date(s) More Information

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship

Application Opens:

Typically mid-November

Deadline:

Typically mid-January

Eligibility:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient.
  • Financial Need is determined by the Fund for Education Abroad Financial Aid Form.  Applicants must have a completed FAFSA for current academic year.
  • Demographic Factors that are considered include first-generation college student status, racial identity, and community college experience.
  • Academic Plan and Preparedness are determined by your essays and unofficial transcript.
Title Date(s) More Information
MCC Honors Program
Study Abroad Scholarship

Deadline:  2025 TBA

Maximum Award: $250-$500

Refer to MCC Honors Program for current details!

If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $500 study abroad scholarship!

For more information, call 480.461.7143.

Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship Application

Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation

Title Date(s) and Time More Information

Virtual

General Information Sessions

Playback of webinar on Nov. 18, 2022 during International Education Week

Recording Password: 5mE6StzU

For any questions, please contact studyabroad@mesacc.edu or the individual faculty program directors.

Financial Aid Contact Information

Financial Aid FAQS

At Southern & Dobson, contact Adela Bob at 480.461.7436 or at adela.bob@mesacc.edu.

At Red Mountain, contact Tori Stanton in Financial Aid at 480.654.7760 or at tori.stanton@mesacc.edu.

Mandatory Orientation

Sat., April 12, 2025

9 am - 2 pm

MCC Southern & Dobson campus

Room: TBA

You must attend the mandatory study abroad orientation!
There may be additional required meetings for your specific program. Contact the Program Director for details.