SAN JOSE: International Center for Development Studies (ICDS)

San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Website Type:   |  Minimum GPA:
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Dates
  • Fall Semester - Mid August - Mid December
  • Spring Semester - Late January - Mid May
  • Summer 1 Semester - TBA
  • Summer 2 Semester - TBA

Application Deadline
  • Fall Semester - March 1
  • Spring Semester - October 1
  • Summer 1 Semester - March 1
  • Summer 2 Semester - March 1

Description

Study Abroad Coordinator: Colleen Boyle (c.boyle@neu.edu)

Located in the heart of San Jose, ICDS is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting sustainability.  Students will take classes from an array of disciplines and choose from various programs in the spring, summer, and fall terms.

ICDS Video Clip

 

Courses
  • Semester: Students participating in this program are required to take five courses. Students will be charged Northeastern undergraduate tuition for 16 credits.  Should a student decide to transfer back a fifth course, he or she will then be charged an overload fee as defined on the Northeastern University Registrar’s website.  Please note: See Cost section for additional Study Abroad fees.
  • Environment, Sustainability & Development in Latin America (fall semester) - ICDS, in conjunction with Universidad Latina de Costa Rica gives students the opportunity to learn about human development and environmental issues in Central America within the framework of an interdisciplinary semester program, ideal for both liberal arts and natural science majors. The program offers the opportunity to broaden knowledge and to experience first-hand the challenge for the sustainability of the region. This, along with ICDS' academic excellence, as well as Costa Rica's commitment to sustainability creates a uniquely rewarding learning experience.
  • Human Rights & Development in Latin America (fall semester)  - This program offers undergraduate students the possibility to acquire in-depth knowledge on the evolution of justice and human rights in Latin America. The program takes a multi-level approach by looking at the historical, political, and legal evolution of human rights thought and practice in Latin America, and the existing institutional protection framework. Students are encouraged to engage in policy discussion aimed at seeking creative means to strengthen the human rights system and to ensure its ability to respond to the needs of Latin American societies. The methodology of the program is based on case studies and first-hand experiences of human rights scholars and practitioners. The Inter-American Human Rights Commission, the Inter-American Human Rights Court, and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights are all located in Costa Rica.
  • Spanish, Social Justice and Sustainable Development in Latin America (spring semester) This program combines both the Human Rights and Environment programs into one. Students can choose classes from both programs.
  • Spanish for Development Studies (Summer 1) The program’s design with its topical and linguistic contents will facilitate the acquisition of knowledge about the history, culture, political, social and economic situation of Latin America, at the same time as the development of vocabulary in the specific fields, and the improvement of the students’ ability to communicate correctly and effectively in Spanish. Students will receive 8 NU credits for this program. Students will receive credit for one Spanish language course and one content course in Spanish.
  • Spanish for Health Sciences (Summer 2) The program consists of two components, linguistic and topical, to facilitate the development of vocabulary in the health and medical field, and the improvement of the students’ ability to communicate correctly and effectively in Spanish.  Students take two classes for a total of 8 NU credits.

View Evaluated Courses

If you are interested in enrolling in a course not in our database, please send this course for evaluation.

Policies and Process for Evaluations

Host University

ICDS is a non-profit multidisciplinary organization, based in Costa Rica, whose mission is to promote the sustainability of the development process of Latin America and the Caribbean. To that end, ICDS undertakes research, policy analysis, academic, and professional training. The Study Abroad program is offered jointly through ICDS and the University of Costa Rica (UCR). UCR is the largest and oldest public university in Costa Rica, and boasts programs for the 30,000 student body.

Eligibility Requirements
  • 2 completed terms at NU, one of which may be a summer term
  • GPA of at least 2.75
  • Transfer students and spring admits, please contact OISP for eligibility

Application Procedure
    • Completed online OISP application
    • Completed ICDS Application Forms (ICDS application process is initiated on-line)
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation
    • Official Transcript
    • Photocopy of Passport ID Page
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Cost

Fall 2013 or Spring 2014: $20,490

Includes: Northeastern University (NU) tuition for 16 NU credits ($20,390), and 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance ($100). Please note that this program requires students to take five courses. Should students choose to transfer back the fifth course, the student will be liable for an additional 4 credit overload fee ($5,100). Students are responsible for all other expenses, including housing and other non-academic costs for which they will be billed directly by the program provider or host institution. Students are also responsible for arranging and purchasing their own flights.

Summer 1 2013: $9,930

Includes: Northeastern University (NU) tuition for 8 NU credits ($9,830), and 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance ($100). Students are responsible for all other expenses, including housing and other non-academic costs for which they will be billed directly by the program provider or host institution. Students are also responsible for arranging and purchasing their own flights.

Summer 2 2013: $9,930

Includes: Northeastern University (NU) tuition for 8 NU credits ($9,830), and 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance ($100). Students are responsible for all other expenses, including housing and other non-academic costs for which they will be billed directly by the program provider or host institution. Students are also responsible for arranging and purchasing their own flights.

Accommodations

In order to give students the advantage of complete cultural and language immersion, the accommodation provided is homestays with carefully chosen Costa Rican families. The homestay cost includes a completely furnished private room, two meals per day, and laundry service.

Destination

Costa Rica, meaning 'rich coast' in Spanish, is a small mountainous country with 762 miles of coastline stretching between the Pacific and Caribbean on the narrow Central American isthmus. It is only a day's drive from its northern border with Nicaragua to neighboring Panama in the south, and it is possible to cross ocean to ocean in only a few hours. A century of democratic stability and security testifies to the commitment of Costa Rica to peace, equity, human rights, and social solidarity. This environment presents a unique experience for students to acquire in-depth knowledge of Latin American reality while being exposed to different cultures and the ecological riches of Costa Rica. The capital city of San Jose is quite cosmopolitan, boasting several excellent museums, good restaurants, and a fine climate. It also serves as an outstanding base from which to visit the many attractions of the country.