Choosing an international academic experience is about much more than selecting a destination. It's about finding a place that challenges you academically, introduces you to new perspectives, and allows you to grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Through Propella's partnership with ULACIT, international students have the opportunity to spend a semester in Costa Rica while taking university courses taught entirely in English, earning transferable academic credits, and experiencing one of Latin America's most innovative and sustainable countries.

Whether you're looking to fulfill degree requirements, strengthen your academic profile, improve your Spanish, or immerse yourself in a different culture, ULACIT's Semester Abroad program offers a unique combination of academic excellence and real-world experience.

Why Study Abroad in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has become one of the world's leading destinations for students seeking more than a traditional international exchange.

Known for its political stability, commitment to sustainability, exceptional biodiversity, and welcoming culture, the country offers an environment where learning naturally extends beyond the university. Students can spend weekends exploring volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, coffee plantations, and local communities while experiencing a lifestyle recognized worldwide for its quality of life and environmental leadership.

Its central location also makes Costa Rica an ideal gateway to Latin America, giving students the opportunity to better understand the region from both an academic and cultural perspective.

A Semester Designed for International Students

ULACIT's Semester Abroad program has been specifically developed for international students. All courses are taught in English at the university's San José campus and combine rigorous academic standards with both a global and Latin American perspective.

Students may enroll in up to five courses, each carrying 3 U.S. credits (6 ECTS) over a traditional 15-week semester. The program allows participants to continue progressing toward their degree while studying alongside both Costa Rican and international classmates.

For Spring 2027, applications are open from June 1 to November 27, 2026.

New Student Orientation takes place on January 8, 2027, with classes running from January 11 through April 23, 2027.

Explore the Spring 2027 Course Offerings

One of the program's greatest strengths is the flexibility of its academic offering. Rather than limiting students to one discipline, ULACIT allows participants to build a schedule aligned with their academic interests and degree requirements.

Business & Marketing

Students can explore topics including business strategy, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, leadership, operations, project management, customer relationship management, and artificial intelligence.

Featured courses include:

Cross-Border Business Strategy

Business Innovation & Lean Startups

International Marketing & Sales Strategy

Managerial Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Data Analytics for Business

Corporate Finance & Managerial Accounting

Engineering & Technology

Students interested in engineering and technology can study industrial innovation, supply chain management, biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.

Featured courses include:

Sustainable Supply Chains in Latin America

Lean Manufacturing in Emerging Economies

Tropical Healthcare Innovations

Biomedical Data & Bioinformatics

Secure Software Development

Ethical Hacking & Cyber Defense

AI for Sustainable Business

Psychology & Wellbeing

The curriculum explores topics such as cross-cultural psychology, organizational wellbeing, innovation, public health, and holistic approaches to wellness.

These courses provide valuable insight into how individuals, organizations, and communities interact across different cultural contexts.

International Relations & Latin American Studies

Costa Rica provides an ideal setting for students interested in diplomacy, sustainability, development, politics, and international affairs.

Available subjects include:

International Relations Theory

International Negotiations

Diplomatic Protocol

Global Health Diplomacy

Climate Change & Sustainable Development

Costa Rican Political Systems

International Environmental Law

Spanish Immersion

Students can also strengthen their language skills through ULACIT's Spanish Immersion Program, with courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

Learning Spanish while living in Costa Rica allows students to practice the language naturally in everyday life, creating a much richer and more authentic learning experience.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Some of the most valuable lessons happen outside the university.

Living in Costa Rica allows students to build independence, adapt to a new culture, and develop a broader global perspective. Weekends become opportunities to explore national parks, volcanoes, coffee plantations, beaches, and local communities, turning the country itself into an extension of the learning experience.

Along the way, students strengthen their intercultural communication skills, gain confidence navigating unfamiliar environments, and develop a global mindset that is increasingly valued by employers and graduate schools.

Begin Your Semester Abroad with Propella

Choosing to spend a semester abroad is an investment that extends far beyond academics. It is an opportunity to expand your perspective, experience a new culture, and prepare for an increasingly global future.

Through Propella's partnership with ULACIT, students can earn transferable university credits while living in one of Latin America's most innovative and sustainable destinations. From the moment you begin planning your journey until you arrive in Costa Rica, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Interested in studying abroad in Costa Rica for Spring 2027?

Contact Propella to learn more about the Semester Abroad program, explore the Spring 2027 course offerings, and start planning your academic experience in Costa Rica.