Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Travel to beautiful Costa Rica to explore health care and intercultural learning. Costa Rica is identified as a “blue zone” meaning that Costa Ricans, on average, live longer lives due to their lifestyle and environment. 

Experiences and learning opportunities include: 

• Explore Jaco, Montverde, Tamarindo, Arenol, and the Cloud Forest
• Take a local cooking class, Spanish language classes, surfing and adapted surfing lessons  
• See national parks, beaches, coral reefs, and waterfalls
• Learn about Costa Rican Healthcare System with experiential learning in Nursing Home Services
• Practice and learn about wellness and self-care principles
• and much more!

Students will learn about holistic wellness, understand how to prevent and manage chronic disease through lifestyle modification, and compare perspectives on health problems and health services in Central America. This program is designed for students that have a passion for health vocations and want to know more about a holistic approach to health and well-being.  This program will provide planned opportunities for physical activity and address the importance of self-care practices for the health/wellness practitioner.

• $300 due within 2 weeks once the application is accepted if received by the end of January. Otherwise, $1,200 will be due by early February. 
• ∼ $900 early February
• ∼ $900 early March
• ∼ $900 early April
• ∼ $400-$800 end of April

Payments are made through a Square invoice if paying by credit/debit card or in Student Involvement, SC118 if paying by check or cash. 

Payments do not include: tuition (optional), some meals, personal spending money, and passport fees.

The refund policy is explained on the study abroad application. 

Apply to the International Programs Study Abroad Grant

• Awards are typically between $300-$800.            
• Underrepresented students can be awarded up to $1,000
• Grant applications are due the same date as the study abroad application deadline. The application is attached to the study abroad application.
• If you are not FAFSA eligible you can still apply

Apply for FAFSA

• Pell grant recipients can use any remaining funds to help pay for study abroad
• Talk to a Financial Aid Advisor by visiting the Welcome Center, SC240 or calling 920-498-5444

Apply to the Foundation Scholarships

• Awards are anywhere from $500 to $2000!
• Apply by logging into your my.NWTC, click Finances, and next click “Apply for a Scholarship”
• Deadlines are April 15th and November 1st

Apply to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

• Students can be awarded up to $3,000!
• Applicants must be a Pell Grant recipient and be taking the study abroad program for credit
• Application deadlines in March and October
• For more information visit gilmanscholarship.org

Get creative

• Students can organize a fundraising event
• Use electronic resources like Kickstarter and GoFundMe
• Waive holiday and birthday gifts for financial gifts

Formal program credit opportunities are available for Wellness and Health Promotion Students and Nursing Program Students. Nursing credits vary on point in the program. All other NWTC program students should ask their individual academic program leaders if credit is available for study abroad.    

All credit opportunities are optional.