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Sustainable Development and Social Justice in Latin America – ICDS
Apply NowProgram overview
Through CFHI’s partnership with ICDS Costa Rica, this program is designed to strengthen your Spanish while exploring the strategic themes of sustainability and social justice through first-hand experiences, field visits, and meaningful connections with local communities and professionals. A signature highlight of the program is an immersion at a rural agroecological farm, where students live, learn, and practice sustainable ways of living, gaining new perspectives on environmental stewardship and the future of our planet.
Students take 4–5 courses during the semester, combining language study with interdisciplinary coursework focused on sustainability, environmental issues, Latin American studies, and social justice. All students enroll in Spanish Language and the core Community Engagement & Sustainable Human Development in Latin America service-learning course. Additional electives allow students to explore topics such as environmental challenges in the region, sustainable development, responsible tourism, gender and development, migration and human rights, and contemporary Latin American culture.
A central component of the program is community engagement. Students participate in weekly public health placements in and around the greater San José area, working with local organizations whose missions align with their academic interests, career goals, and Spanish proficiency level. The program also includes a one-week immersive experience at an agroecological farm in rural Costa Rica, where students explore sustainable practices, food systems, and environmental stewardship while learning directly from local practitioners.
General information
Costa Rica
Nutrition & Food Security Public Health Public Health & Advocacy Urban/Rural Comparative
12 Weeks - $11595
September 2nd, 2026 January 13th, 2027
About this program
Costa Rica is one of the oldest and most politically stable democracies in the world. It famously abolished its army in 1948, choosing to invest resources in education and healthcare instead. Costa Rica is home to around 5% of the world’s total biodiversity with 25% of the territory being protected national parks or wildlife reserves. The country’s slogan: Pura Vida, doesn’t only refer to the amazing wildlife but also to the friendly and laid-back culture. Costa Ricans aka “Ticos” are known for their courtesy and hospitality.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is a city of contrasts, with sprawling modern developments and centuries-old historic architecture, traditional values and progressive ideas. ICDS students, live and study in one of the most vibrant and active districts of the city on the east side: San Pedro. San Pedro is the site of some of the largest universities in the country and has a unique, youthful energy. It’s home to parks, restaurants, shops, and nightlife all within walking distance or a short bus or car ride away.
With many years of hosting international students, our Homestay Coordinator and our network of host families provide a safe and natural environment to enjoy the host culture of Costa Rica. Each accommodation is carefully selected to ensure proximity to the university campus and ICDS office, quality care for students, and flexibility in hosting international students. Homestays are one of the most important parts of this experience in experiential learning. They facilitate immersion and adaptation to the new culture and language, and they help you to integrate faster into local society. Daily immersion with host families provides program participants with a relaxed environment to practice Spanish, ask questions about their surroundings, and get support from another network in addition to their classmates, faculty, and staff. Private room, Wi-fi, laundry service, cleaning, one student per household, Breakfast and dinner included.
- Airport pick-up and transportation to homestay provided by CFHI on-site orientation session on the day after the arrival.
- US-citizens do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica and are allowed to stay in the country for up to 180 days
- ICDS offers guidance with visa extension or renewal for students of other nationalities.
What’s Included
CFHI Program fees include the majority of your on the ground costs. As a nonprofit, CFHI strives to keep fees low and offers fundraising opportunities, scholarships and discounts.
Pre-Departure Support
- Program advising and support via email, phone, and web meeting from CFHI’s Central Leadership team
- Detailed online Pre-Departure Training that includes modules on program logistics (flights, visas, immunizations, and more), intercultural learning, introduction to health realities at your program site, and much more
On-Site Services
- On-site Counselor
- 24/7 emergency support
- Field trips
- Cultural activities
- Visa process guidance (when needed)
Post-Return Resources
- Opportunities to engage as a CFHI Alumni Ambassador, reviewing scholarship applications, speaking on CFHI panels, and more
- Access to CFHI alumni-only social media group/s featuring news and career opportunities related to Global Health
- CFHI alumni newsletter highlighting events, professional development opportunities, resources, and ways to stay involved
Uniquely, 60% or more of CFHI student program fees go directly to the communities they will be visiting, benefiting the local economy at large and specifically underserved health systems.
Class work takes place from Monday through Thursday, providing students with three-day weekends to explore the country on their own. The program includes field trips and cultural activities
Students start their days with a delicious breakfast at their homestays to then attend classes at Universidad Latina, which is conveniently located a few blocks away from the ICDS office. Depending on the week day, they will do community work in one of the organizations ICDS works with. They then enjoy lunch at one of the various restaurants in and around campus and head back to campus for their afternoon classes. Once classes are over, they return to their homestays, which are either a short bus ride or a brief walk from campus. On weekends when there’s no planned field trip or cultural activity, they explore the country’s countless natural wonders, beaches, volcanoes, rainforests or mountains, there’s plenty to choose from.
Public Health Placements
Meet the Local Team
Jorge Nowalski
CFHI San José Program Director
Jorge Nowalski - CFHI San José Program Director
Jorge is the President and Academic Director of the International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) and chairs the Foundation for Sustainability and Equity (ALIARSE). He holds a Ph.D. from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) as well as a Master’s degree in Social Planning in Developing Countries and a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations, both from LSE. Jorge has been a consultant for international organizations such as ILO, UNDP, OAS, Inter-American Development Bank, as well as author and coauthor of books and articles on topics such as trade and poverty, labor issues, social security, trade unions, and human development. Jorge enjoys sports and music.
Ivannia Morales
CFHI San José Local Coordinator
Ivannia Morales - CFHI San José Local Coordinator
Ivannia has a rather varied background. She majored in Communications (Audiovisual production) at Universidad de Costa Rica and in Saxophone at National Music Institute and Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. Later in life, she discovered her love for showing Costa Rica to tourists so she pursued her certification as a tour guide at Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje. At ICDS, Ivannia is the point of contact with both our partner universities and our potential students. Aside from her position at ICDS, she is also an active musician playing the saxophone and singing in a few different musical projects. She also enjoys pottery, yoga and training aerials.
Eligibility
The program is open to trainees from a variety of disciplines and welcomes participants with all levels of Spanish. To confirm your eligibility, please read CFHI’s general eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Create profile
Submit application
Hear back from CFHI team
Complete pre-departure training and requirements
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