Student Cards

An International Student Identity Card issued by the International Student Travel Federation (www.istc.org) entitles students 12–26 years of age to discounts on transportation, entrances to museums, and other savings. When purchased in the United States ($20), ISIC even includes $3,000 in emergency medical coverage, limited hospital coverage, and access to a 24-hour, toll-free emergency hotline.

Students (and educators under 26) can obtain ISICs at any student union. Alternately, contact the Council on International Educational Exchange (tel. 207/553-4000 or 800/40-STUDY, www.ciee.org), which issues ISICs and also arranges study vacations in Costa Rica.

In Canada, cards can be obtained from Travel Cuts (tel. 416/614-2887 or 866/246-9762, www.travelcuts.com). In the United Kingdom, students can obtain an ISIC from any student union office.

Travel and Work Study

The University of Costa Rica offers special cursos libres (free courses) during winter break (Dec.–Mar.). It also grants “special student” status to foreigners. Contact the Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales (tel. 506/2207-5080, www.ucr.ac.cr).

The University for Peace (tel. 506/2205-9000, www.upeace.org) and Organization for Tropical Studies (tel. 506/2524-0607, in the U.S. tel. 919/684-5774, fax 919/684-5661, www.ots.duke.edu) also sponsor study courses.

EcoTeach (tel. 800/626-8992, www.ecoteach.com) places students on environmental projects in Costa Rica.

Work-abroad programs are also offered through CIEE’s Work Abroad Department (tel. 888/268-6245, www.ciee.org) which publishes Work, Study, Travel Abroad and The High School Student’s Guide to Study, Travel, and Adventure Abroad.

Holbrook Travel (tel. 800/451-7111, www.holbrooktravel.com) offers an eight-day Tropical Education Program in Costa Rica for students and teachers. The School for Field Studies (tel. 978/741-3567 or 800/989-4418, www.fieldstudies.org) has summer courses in sustainable development.

Transitions Abroad (tel./fax 802/442-4827, www.transitionsabroad.com) provides information for students wishing to study abroad; as does Studyabroad.com (tel. 484/766-2920, www.studyabroad.com).