San Jose Housing

Choose to live in one of the following housing options:

• Residencia Tierrasol
  
• Homestay
  
• Casas Universitarias
  
• Internship Housing
  
• Independent Living
  

Although every attempt will be made to match each student's preferences with our housing options, roommate and housing assignments are based upon availability and other factors. Therefore, your housing preferences cannot be guaranteed. We encourage you to apply early as it will assist us in organizing your housing arrangements. Early Start program students may be assigned a different housing option at the start of the Trimester portion of their programs.

NOTE: The Residencia Tierrasol is the only housing option available for students enrolled in the Spring Trimester (April-May-June) program, the August Intensive Month program and in the September Intensive Month program.

Residencia Tierrasol

Residencia Tierrasol is a new student residence for fifteen students located just one block from Veritas University. It is a modern, comfortable environment, located in a safe neighborhood within walking distance to downtown San Jose and other universities. The meal plan includes breakfast Monday through Friday, as well as twenty meal tickets per month, which can be used at several local restaurants. If you like sharing with other peers while maintaining some independence, the Residencia would be a great choice.

Homestays

CEA choose families for their friendliness and helpfulness to past students. Students have found that the time spent with their home stay families is an important part of their Spanish learning experience. Most home stay families live within 15-20 minutes walking distance from Veritas University, while a few homes are a 15-minute bus ride from the university. All the homes are located in safe, middle class neighborhoods. CEA participants living in a home stay will enjoy daily breakfast and dinner with their family. If you want to experience being part of a Costa Rican family, this is the place for you.

Casas Universitarias

The Casa Universitaria offers students the benefits of an apartment, but also provides the comforts of a home stay such as meals, laundry and cleaning. Most Casas Universitarias are located within 15-20 minutes walking distance from the Veritas University, in safe, middle class neighborhoods. Students will be provided daily breakfast and dinner. In addition, students may have access to a kitchenette where they can warm food and prepare light meals and beverages. If you want to experience what it is like to live with a Costa Rican family but in a more independent set-up, this would be a good choice for you. Please note, this housing option is limited and interested students are encouraged to apply several months in advance.

Internship Housing

This option is only available for those students participating in the Environmental Studies Internship program. Upon arrival in San Jose, students will be placed in one of CEA's San Jose housing options for the first 2-3 days. They will then be transferred to onsite living arrangements at their permanent internship site. Students will be housed in very basic accommodations at the park, sustainable farm, or reserve where their internship takes place. You will be provided with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. As the location of each internship varies, so do the facilities and amenities of each housing placement. Detailed information will be provided once the site has been assigned.

Independent Living

CEA highly recommends that students live in the housing provided. Requests for permission to arrange independent housing must be made on the online housing or paper application form as determined by your program no later than the application closure date. For academic year students, requests for permission to arrange independent living arrangements for the second semester must be made no later than the second semester's application closure date. Students whose requests are approved will receive a rebate for housing. CEA resident directors will not provide assistance with independent housing and will not speak or act on behalf of any student who chooses to pursue such arrangements. Rebates are not granted for students who move out of their CEA housing or choose to pursue independent living arrangements after the application closure date.