Student Life
Orientation
Prior to the start of the program, the Office of Study Abroad will run a pre-departure meeting to help prepare students for their time abroad. For students who are unable to attend, an online orientation will be held. Students will also receive a number of different pre-departure materials addressing the following topics:
- Academic overview
- Cost of attendance
- Money matters in Costa Rica
- Packing preparations
- Passport and visa
- Arrival information
- Health, safety and risk management
Students will also be required to submit a number of preparatory forms prior to departure.
In Heredia, an orientation program will help students adjust to their new environment and familiarize themselves with the various support services available for their use.
Host Faculty and Institution
Coursework will be taught by Brandeis and local faculty. Classes will meet at the campus of Universidad Nacional in Heredia. While the coursework is taught in English, some academic site visits may require Spanish interpreters. When this is the case, IFSA will provide interpreters as needed.
Computers and WiFi
WiFi is available in Heredia, but availability and speed will depend on weather conditions. Students will be required to provide their own laptops for schoolwork purposes.
Housing and Meals
All Brandeis in Heredia students will live with a homestay family, an important opportunity to be immersed in Costa Rican culture and gain a greater understanding of your host community. Homestay families might be couples with children, older couples, or older women, all of whom open their homes to Brandeis students to welcome them to Heredia for the summer.
Your homestay will be arranged with a carefully selected host family and located within a typical commute on public transportation to the Universidad Nacional campus. Typically, only one student is housed per family for maximum cultural and language integration. Students will complete a survey prior to receiving their homestay placement that allows them to be situated in accommodation in which they will be the most comfortable. You will have a single bedroom with a bed, shared bathroom, and desk or other designated place to study. Laundry once a week and three meals per day are included.
Although Spanish is not required on the program, most homestay families will have limited or no knowledge of English. Students are encouraged to practice some basic Spanish phrases ahead of time and will be guided on using translation apps and other means of communicating with their host family.
Field Trips and Cultural Events
In addition to the academic excursions included in the program courses, IFSA will arrange a number of cultural events and field trips to provide students with a greater understanding of Costa Rican people and society. Activities may include cooking classes, dance classes, visits to national museums, and other opportunities to interact with the local community. Students are expected to attend all program activities.
Diversity, Access and Inclusion
Studying abroad can be an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and explore new horizons. The Brandeis Office of Study Abroad supports students in reflecting on their own personal identities in preparing for a study abroad experience that will be meaningful and in which they will be supported both in and out of the classroom. Study abroad program staff and past participants have prepared a list of resources related to personal, religious, cultural, and other backgrounds and identities which may be helpful to students considering Brandeis in Heredia. On this Brandeis-Run Program, program staff and faculty strive to ensure that students have access to the resources they need before, during, and after your time on the program to give you the opportunity to learn and grow in a comfortable and supportive environment.
For more resources related to culture and identity, please click here and reach out to your advisor or a Study Abroad Ambassador if you would like to discuss anything further.
Independent Travel
Students will have opportunities on free weekends to travel if they choose, but it should be noted that extensive travel is not advised. You are required to attend classes throughout the week and expected to schedule your independent travel for the weekends and holidays. In addition, Brandeis and IFSA require that you leave a basic copy of your itinerary with a staff member so you can be quickly contacted in case of an emergency.
As the program is an intensive experience, extensive travel during the program is not advisable.