You'll enroll in one engineering-related course, plus one required language and culture course, for a total of two credits. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted.

Engineering Course

MATH 353A
Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
(QS) 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: Mathematics 216. Not open to students who have had Mathematics 356. 

First and second order ordinary differential equations with applications, Laplace transforms, series solutions and qualitative behavior, Fourier series, partial differential equations, boundary value problems, Sturm-Liouville theory. Intended primarily for engineering and science students.

CHEM 210
Modern Applications of Chemical Principles 
(NS) 1.0 Credit 

Modern applications of chemistry in context of larger scientific theme, e.g. in biology, materials science, or environmental chemistry. Revisits core concepts from Chemistry 101DL or 110DL, incorporating additional topics including intermolecular interactions, phases of matter, solutions, quantitative treatment of aqueous equilibria, electron transfer reactions, and inorganic and coordination chemistry. Laboratory illustrates experimental approaches to modern problems in biological, materials, and environmental chemistry, as well as analytical and synthetic techniques.

Recommended prerequisite: Chemistry 101DL or 110DL.

Language & Culture Course

All students will enroll in the following required course: 

SPANISH 92A
Culture and Language in Costa Rica
(CZ), 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: None

This course is intended for students that have a basic to intermediate background of the Spanish language. The chief goals are to expand vocabulary and conversational skills, strengthen grammar, and introduce key social, cultural, and environmental issues in Costa Rica. Students will be placed in a section appropriate for their language level.

There are several planned trips and excursions:

Explore the city of San José: We'll explore the city as part of cultural and lab activities, including visits to the Pre-Columbian history museum and market, a concert at the 'Venetian' theatre, and 'The Castle' (former seat of government).

The volcanoes of Costa Rica: We'll visit volcanos like Poas and Irazu to record seismic activity.

Other trips can include a visit to the annual virgin Mary pilgrimage, a tour of a hydro-electric dam, and a visit to the Costa Rica Space Agency. These excursions are led by Spanish-speaking guides and emphasize the use and cultural context of the language.

Cultural Activities

Each day from 4-5 pm, you can choose to participate in a cultural activity such as cooking, dance, or conversation practice – all taught in Spanish.

You will be lodged in carefully selected homestays for the duration for the program.

Homestay families will provide two meals per day (breakfast and dinner).

Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.

• Arrival: July 1, 2025
• Departure: August 12, 2025

Flights

You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyGlobalEd to update your travel registry.

Housing Before/After

You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.

Schedule

All classes will be held at the Costa Rica Language Academy (CRLA). You'll take the language culture course the first part of the day and attend your chosen engineering-related course in the afternoon.