Established in December 1980, the United Nations-mandated University for Peace was made by the UN General Assembly, as a treaty organization, keeping with the aspirations of the Charter of the United Nations to provide a higher education of peace amongst all human beings with the spirit of tolerance, understanding and peaceful coexistence.
The school offers rigorous academic programs directed by its own council and is not subject to UN regulations. The programs are focused on the fundamental causes of conflict and key issues such as human rights and security, conflict prevention, environmental security and post-conflict rehabilitation. The central aim of University of Peace is to build foundations of peace and reduce prejudices that lead to violence and terrorism.
The department of academic administration aids students in finding adequate housing options, including home-stay with a Costa Rican family, for those seeking to learn more about the language and culture of Costa Rica.
University for Peace
Apartado 138-6100
Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica 10701
+506-2-205-9000
upeace.org
Located in Guácimo, Limón, Earth University is a private non-profit university focused on the study of natural resources and agricultural science. Programs serve to provide sustainable development projects that balance environmental preservation with agricultural production.
Earth's international academic program has faculty and students interacting daily in the labs and air-conditioned classrooms, giving students the opportunity to combine field work with academic work.
The campus has an art center, an auditorium and athletic facilities. There is also student and faculty housing onsite featuring spacious and comfortable dorms.
Earth University
De la Pops de Curridabat
200M Sur y 50M Oeste
San José, Costa Rica 2060
+506-2-713-0000
studyabroadearth.org
Located in San Jose, the University of Costa Rica was founded in 1814, making it Costa Rica's oldest university and giving it a strong sense of history and tradition. The academic programs are open to exchange students and work alongside US universities such as the University of California Riverside.
The university offers intensive language immersion courses for every level of student seeking to learn Spanish. All other courses are taught exclusively in Spanish and foreign student are required to pass a language test before being admitted to the program. The school also offers a wide range of activities, from sports, to dance and theater.
Housing is not provided by the University of Costa Rica, but many times the student's main school will have programs that help them find host families in San Jose that will provide some meals and a friendly atmosphere for the student.
University of Costa Rica
Sede Rodrigo Facio Brenes
Montes de Oca, San José
Costa Rica 2060
+506-2-511-0000
ucr.ac.cr