Program description

A premium study experience in Central America, and a leading program in teaching sustainable development. INEX sends students to Costa Rica – to learn at one of Central America’s best universities (and receive credits), engage in challenging projects, broaden their horizons and help the community. Together with academic and commercial partner institutions INEX provides a comprehensive learning adventure with business visits, academic courses, language training and business projects.

“Pura vida” translates into “pure life” and is the official motto and life philosophy of the Costa Rican people. Being a widely used phrase, also for saying “Hello!” or “How are you doing?” in everyday communication, these words reflect the Joie de Vivre and the lively culture of the Costa Ricans and many Latin Americans more than any other ever could. “Pura Vida” is also one of the mottos of the INEX Summer University Costa Rica. This is the first academic program of its kind, giving students the unique possibility to get to know the Latin American culture and to become an integral part of it for four weeks while enjoying an intensive high quality business program.

The ISU program features courses at the prestigious Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y
Tecnología (ULACIT), a bilingual private university ranking at the top of Central American universities, where participants take part in first-class business courses taught either by internationally experienced ULACIT professors or by lecturers from US and European universities.

Starting in 2008 INEX focuses on the Topic of Sustainable Development. Being all over the media, sustainable development has become the major challange of our decade. INEX promotes the cofluence of three dimensions: Environmental protection, Social Learning and Economic Progress. We bring together tormorrow's economic leaders and the corporate world with developing communities, not only initiating mutual knowledge transfer but also taking action!

Additionally to profession-related courses, students get the chance to attend Spanish classes in mini groups. Different levels are offered to meet the needs of ISU students; courses for different professions are available to fit to the students' field of studies. In order to achieve this high quality our language courses are organized and taught by professional teachers of the LOGOS Language Institute - a Costa Rican organization spezializing in full immersion Spanish classes. On top of that all language courses are supplemented by intercultural lessons on Latin American behavior and development in regard to business and related topics.

For a better understanding of the country and its people all students take part in an extensive social program. Students will enjoy dancing classes, learn to cook like Costa Ricans, prepare an exciting International Evening, and take part in activities with their host families during the week.

Additionally participants go on field trips and tours to the most exciting places of Costa Rica. The excursions are carefully chosen for every program according to the topics covered and therefore vary from program to program. They often include: visits to local communities, business visits, national parks, tropical beaches, rain and cloud forest reserves, hiking trips, a San Jose city tour, active volcanoes of the central valley, white-water-rafting on paradisiacal rivers, and much more. Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience … the INEX Summer University Costa Rica!

To apply online go to www.theinex.org/application.php.