Pitzer in Costa Rica Summer Health Program

The Pitzer in Costa Rica Summer Health Program combines academic preparation with six weeks in Costa Rica, including intensive Spanish language study, coursework on health and health care, a community-based internship, and life with a host family. Pitzer and 5C students begin with a spring half-course on campus, while guest students from other institutions complete a structured virtual pre-departure preparation program.

The program is particularly well suited for students interested in public health, pre-health fields, sociology, psychology, biology, Spanish, and Latin American Studies. You'll examine health and health care from both academic and community perspectives while developing the language and intercultural skills to better understand the Costa Rican context.

Location

Spend six weeks in San José, Costa Rica's capital and the center of the country's public health system. Your classes, homestay, and internship are based in the metropolitan area, giving you the opportunity to experience everyday life in Costa Rica while studying health and health care in context.

From San José, field visits and study trips take you to other parts of the country, including rural communities and the Caribbean region, where you'll examine how geography, environment, culture, and socioeconomic conditions shape health and access to care.

Academics

Pitzer and 5C students complete the required spring half-course on campus. Guest students from other institutions participate in a structured virtual pre-departure program module covering Costa Rican health care, Spanish language preparation, cultural engagement, and internship planning.