Take advantage of the unique flavor San Jose has to offer. CEA offers a variety
of local immersion activities to match your interests. Whether you enjoy music
concerts, clubs, sports, cooking classes, language exchanges, or something
entirely different, our resident staff can help you get involved in the local
culture. Here are just some examples.
Volunteer Opportunities
Students can work on language skills and build friendships with locals by lending a helping hand. Interacting with children at an orphanage is a chance to play, read children's stories and teach English at a children's home. Students can see their faces smile and light up when they arrive and spend two to four hours a week giving them much needed love and attention. This is a very popular activity among CEA students and requires budgeting approximately $8 per month for transportation. Bringing children games, books or other fun activities from home might also help students make this experience a fruitful and enjoyable one. This activity normally begins on the second week of the program, so there is time to settle down in school and schedule activities. If students are too busy on weekdays, they can also join groups specially organized by CEA staff to help paint and repair an underprivileged school or institution. This will be a one day activity, where students will be joined by locals who will not only express their gratitude, but will also spend a fun, colorful day with them.
Soccer
This is Costa Rica's national sport, and one of the things that makes ticos and ticas vibrate. Soccer is a great way to get to know the heart of the people and stay in shape. Veritas University organizes a soccer team with international students who play against local students or other guest teams. Soccer practice takes place at a nearby park two or three times a week, depending on students' schedules. Students will make many new friends and learn why this sport has such a strong global following. Among the social activities organized by the CEA staff, students will also have the chance to go to a soccer game between national or international rivals, a great experience for sports lovers.
Dancing
Latin Americans are well known for being great dancers, and Costa Ricans are no exception. One of the most popular activities for both young and old is to go dancing on weekends. Students can join the Veritas dance class where they will have an amazing experience getting to know all Latin American dances and learn how to salsa, merengue, cumbia, and swing dance like a true tico. Local Veritas students who listen to the music might even drop by to help the dance teacher. Classes are free and they meet twice a week in the evenings. After a few classes, students will get together with the dance group and CEA and Veritas staff to practice their new skill at a popular dance club in town.
Cooking
There is no better way to learn about the culture of a country than learning how to cook local recipes. Students will also find that this is a wonderful piece of their experiences abroad to share with loved ones at home. While in San Jose students can join the cooking class and learn how to make delicious dishes; when they return home they can cook for loved ones. Imagine preparing gallo- pinto, empanadas, pati, casado, sopa negra, arroz con pollo, among others, all dishes from different regions of Costa Rica. Students will be surprised by the many different types of fruits and vegetables incorporated into Costa Rican cuisine. Classes meet once a week and require a $15 contribution for ingredients.
Conversation Club
Students can meet with other local students to practice Spanish.
