the programstudy abroad in costa rica for U.S. high school students
CIEE support
The high school abroad program is the best way for high school students to become global citizens. Our representatives at the Costa Rican-American Centro Cultural de San Pedro will be responsible for the placement and support of students while in Costa Rica. They will screen and select host families in the areas of three separate Costa Rican high schools depending on language proficiency and profile: Lincoln School, St. Francis School, or Cloud Forest School.
orientation
Orientation will take place in Boston one day before departure. They consist of a full half day program of information on important topics such as an introduction to your host country, health and safety, tips on how to adjust to a new culture and language, the academic program, and getting to know other high school students going to the same country. The rest of the time is spent on sightseeing in the area, restaurants and evening activities. Students will be met at the airport, housed in hotels with other participants. CIEE staff will stay in the hotel with the students and will accompany them to their overseas check-in. Representatives from our partner organization will meet our students when they arrive in Costa Rica in order to make connections to their final destinations where they will have a local orientation.
placements
Students will be place in one of three schools: Lincoln School, St. Francis School, or Cloud Forest School, depending on their level of Spanish, interest in International Baccalaureate curriculum and their concern for the environment. All three schools are private and meet or exceed the levels of the average American high school. Host families will live in close proximity to the school selected. Families on this program will be compensated for room and board.