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Spanish for Health Professionals in Costa Rica

Spend five weeks of your summer studying Spanish (at any level) and health care in a unique and hands- on learning environment. Live with a local family and explore the markets, restaurants, and salsa clubs of San Jose.

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Spanish for Health Professionals in Costa Rica lets you learn career-oriented Spanish while also taking a health-related course taught in English. This 5-week program takes place during the second summer session at Universidad Veritas, a private university in San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica.

GPA Required: 2.5. If you find your GPA is lower than the requirement, do not despair! Use the "Contact An Advisor" button on this page or call us to let us know your situation. We'll do all we can to find the right program for you.

How to choose your courses
Now for the fun part! As part of the application process you will be required to complete the CISabroad Course Selection Worksheet found in the CISabroad Application Page. The following instructions will guide you through the steps of choosing your courses for each of our summer programs. 

Course load: 2 courses (8 US credits)

Course approval for Spanish language: placement exam
When selecting a Spanish-language course, choose the one whose description best reflects your current abilities. Keep in mind that you don’t need to know any Spanish to participate in this program. Once you’re accepted into the program, we will send you instructions for taking an online placement exam so that Veritas can begin to assess your level of Spanish. Then, on the first day of classes at Veritas, you will have an oral examination to determine the ideal course level for you.

Course approval for English electives
Before you go abroad, it is best to get 2–3 elective classes approved. This way you will have plenty of classes to choose from and some flexibility in setting up your schedule.

Course descriptions and catalog: Choose one Spanish-language course and one English health and human development course.

Spanish-language courses

SPN 141 Español Básico para Profesionales de Salud (Basic Spanish for Health Professionals)

This 5-week course is designed for health personnel with no Spanish-language experience. Through simulations, you will acquire the language skills you need for basic communication with Spanish-speaking patients.

SPN 241 Español Intermedio para Profesionales de Salud (Intermediate Spanish for Health Professionals)

This course is designed for health personnel who have taken a minimum of 100 elective hours of Spanish as a second language. Through simulations of specific situations, you’ll deepen your knowledge of medical-related Spanish for better communications with Spanish-speaking patients.

SPN 341 Español Avanzado para Profesionales de Salud (Advanced Spanish for Health Professionals)

This course is designed for health personnel with advanced Spanish who need to raise their linguistic competency. The goal is to leave you capable of communicating more effectively and fluently with your Spanish-speaking patients and their families.

English health and human development elective courses

HIS-3293 Costa Rican Health Care System and Tropical Medicine

Costa Rica´s socialized health care system has achieved excellent health indicators. This course focuses on the history and development of the public health care system within the context of the Costa Rican sociopolitical and economical situation. It emphasizes how the system actually works and highlights both its strength and its weaknesses. Also fundamental to understanding the system is the fact that Costa Rica is a tropical country, so you will learn about the prevention and transmission of tropical diseases.

HHD-1020 Introduction to Physical Therapy

This course comprises basic concepts of human anatomy, an overview of the most common injuries and illnesses that require physical therapy, and an introduction to the tools and methods used to treat them. There will be lectures on theoretical concepts  and also laboratory practice for a hands-on experience of therapy techniques. At the end of the course you will have general knowledge of various areas of expertise, and of techniques such as massage therapy, electrotherapy, and therapeutic exercises, among others.

HHD- 1050 Alternative Health Approaches

This course introduces basic concepts in complementary alternative medicine. You will explore and evaluate alternative approaches and philosophies to personal health and wellness. Among the topics are homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbal and nutritional therapies, massage, chiropractic, electromagnetic therapy, and breathing techniques and exercises.

PSY-2200 Health Psychology

The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Today’s health care professionals have to approach health as a bio-psycho-social concept. Whether doctor, nurse, or physiotherapist, you must have a general understanding of Health Psychology—the study of how biology, behavior, and social context influence health and illness. This allows an integral approach to your patients. We will discuss some of the most common topics related to Health Psychology and pertinent to practice in the health care professions.