Program Description
Upon arrival, students are met at the airport by an ICADS staff member and taken to their first Costa Rican homestay family. During the first days, students receive a rigorous orientation, and a tour of the San José area to learn bus routes and important locations. Intensive Spanish classes begin on the first day of the program.
Block I: INTENSIVE SPANISH CLASSES (3 weeks)
The major objectives of the ICADS Spanish classes are consistent with the philosophy and goals of the Institute. Teaching is done with an emphasis on political and social conditions and environmental issues in Central America. Teachers supplement intensive conversation, grammar and practice with guest lectures and discussions on the environment, culture, political processes, women's issues, and development.
Spanish classes consist of an intensive five-days-a-week, 4 1/2 hours per-day regimen (with a half-hour break) geared to the individual abilities and needs of each participant. Students are taught in a class with no more than three other students. Upon arrival, students are tested and placed in classes according to their level of language skill. This assures the active participation of each student in an atmosphere that is stimulating, supportive and fun for learning.
In addition to classes, students will have the opportunity to participate in a series of afternoon lectures, activities, and excursions that emphasize social and environmental topics.
Block II: STRUCTURED INTERNSHIP (6 weeks)
During the first three weeks, students begin toexplore various internship sites to decide on a placement. Students are then relocated (if 
necessary) to a home-stay family close to their work site and are ready to begin a six-week internship experience. Shortly after the internship begins, an ICADS staff member will visit the site to negotiate a learning contract with the on-site supervisor or mentor who is responsible for the daily supervision of the intern. The on-site supervisor works closely with both the student and the ICADS placement coordinator to be sure the student is accomplishing his/her goals. Should the internship chosen not work out to the participant's or the supervisor's satisfaction, the placement coordinator will find a second placement.
No two internships are alike. Some require scientific research, others hands-on work, however all require the intern's individual initiative and creativity for devising appropriate tasks. Some internships involve a great deal of community contact or interaction with fellow workers, whereas others do not.
Block III: WRITTEN WORK AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS (1 week)
Upon completion of the six-week internship, students return to the institute for the last few days to finish up written work, present their work to their peers and prepare for the trip home.
Academic Credit
The ICADS Summer Internship Program is a non-academic program and, as such, academic credits are not granted. While participants do not receive academic credit, the staff placement coordinator will write a detailed formal evaluation that may help a participant with applications for college, graduate school, grants, or employment.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a good working knowledge of Spanish upon arrival. The program begins with three weeks of intensive Spanish training, but this training alone is not sufficient for students to carry out meaningful work in the field. At least one year of college Spanish or its equivalent is recommended.
Beyond the Spanish requirement, no previous work or study experience is necessary. To enroll, one must complete an application form, submit one letter of recommendation, and complete a health and waiver form.
Cost
Tuition and program fees for the Summer Internship Program for the year 2008 is $4,000. For the year 2009 costs will increase to $4,200. This fee includes airport pick-up, three weeks of intensive Spanish instruction, class materials, room and partial board (breakfast and dinner), laundry service, round-trip transportation to internship sites, consultations and on-site visits, monitoring of the internship, a donation to the organization or community for supervision of the intern and group field trips.
The tuition is paid in two installments. The first, a non-refundable deposit of $500, is due upon notification of acceptance. The remaining balance is due at the beginning of the program. After the program begins, no refund will be made of tuition or of any part of the program fee already expended on behalf of the student.
Personal Expenses
Students should budget $400-600 per month for local and weekend travel, lunches, visa-related fees, and other personal expenses.
Living Arrangements
Upon arrival, students live with Costa Rican families. As an integral part of the program, the home-stay experience facilitates language learning and active participation in the culture and society of Costa Rica . Family placements are supervised by a housing coordinator who makes every effort to match the needs of the student with those of the host family.
Transportation
Students must budget for their own round-trip transportation to San José. ICADS will refer students to an affiliated travel agency that can assist them in making travel arrangements at the lowest possible cost.
Application Procedures
Obtain application materials directly from ICADS or download them from our website. Deadlines for completed applications are as follows:
Early Deadline: March 15
Final Deadline: May 15
Early applicants will have an advantage over those who wait for the deadline, since the applications are considered on a space-available basis. Decisions will be announced within two weeks of each deadline.
