COSTA RICA
PROGRAMME SUMMARY
DISCOUNTS & SCHOLARSHIPS:
SUPPORT: Yes. Both at the destination and by our local team here in New Zealand before and during your exchange.
INSURANCE: Comprehensive insurance included.
DEPARTURES: Short term - February and July Semester - February and July
Academic Year - February and July
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: Basic Spanish language required. Students must complete tutoring or online course before departure.
EXTRAS: Lots of trips available throughout the year including Ostional beach - turtle conservation and eco-volunteering, Tortuga Island and Pacific Ocean beaches, Rio Celeste (light-blue river tubing and sloth watching), Bocas del Toro, Panama and Guanacaste Eco Adventure Park and Waterfall.
VISA
AGE AND ELIGIBILITY
Short Term - No visa required Semester and Academic Year - Visa required, apply in country. Visa Process - Please be aware that Your Education staff are not Registered Migration Agents and cannot represent the visa applicant. We will provide you with the necessary supporting documents for your visa and our staff will guide you through the process where possible. The responsibility of lodging the visa falls upon the student and their parents. Visa application requirements differ per destination and students will need to provide additional documents depending on the destination and type of visa required such as birth certificate, bank statements, passport photos and letter of parental consent. Visa application fees (set by the foreign embassy or consulate) differ per destination. These costs exclude expenses such as translations and JP fees, official stamps (Notary Public stamp, Apostille stamp), national police certificate, passports photos and courier costs. In some cases, students must attend an in-person interview at the relevant consulate, embassy or visa agency. The cost of this visit will be the responsibility of the student applicant.
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
February departures - 1st September July departures - 15th March
- A New Zealand citizen / resident - Between the ages of 15 and 18 years at the time of departure - In good physical and mental health - Independent and mature enough to adapt to an overseas environment - Currently enrolled in a New Zealand high school and a full-time student prior to your departure - Achieving or above in NCEA or equivalent - Fulfil the language requirements of your chosen destination (if applicable) - Be a NZ passport holder. If you hold any other passport acceptance is conditional and all entry requirements and necessary visas will be your responsibility
SCHOOLS
High school in Costa Rica is a lively, community-centered experience that emphasizes relationships as much as academics. Classes often feel more relaxed and social than in many countries, with students addressing teachers respectfully but warmly.
PLACEMENTS
Throughout Costa Rica.
COSTA RICA PRICING:
* Programme pricing is valid for departures from April 2026 up to and including January 2027. Application fee of $250 when applying. Price Guarantee: We reserve the right to increase the prices at any time, but once you have been accepted to the programme and have paid your $1,500 deposit you will secure the published price and be exempt from any subsequent increases.
Programme fee includes:
Comprehensive insurance while on your exchange.
Pre-departure orientation meeting prior to departure for all students and parents.
Host family and high school placement.
Meet and Greet at final airport with transfer to your host family. Please note that in an additional surcharge may be applied. We reserve the right to apply a flight surcharge should availability at time of booking cause flight costs to be higher than expected. (We have specific flight dates for each destination. You may fly outside of these dates but additional costs will apply.)
Return-trip economy flights with recognised airlines departing from Auckland to final destination.
Pre-departure orientation meeting prior to departure for all students and parents.
Preparation materials.
Full professional support both in New Zealand and abroad, including a 24-hour emergency phone.
Programme fee does not include:
Passport and visa costs.
School set up costs. Varies per destination but may include transport, uniform and school books.
Transport to Auckland for departure.
Pocket money (approx. 500NZD per month).
Any documents that require official Notarising or Apostilling.
Optional Tours and Travel Expenses.