Seminar & Field Trip Program 2026
Heredia and San Juan, Costa Rica
Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Upcoming Information Sessions:
TBA
The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) Seminar and Field Trip Program celebrates its 52nd trip in 2026! Since 1972, the program has provided more than 600 students a unique educational and cross-cultural immersion experience.
This intensive, two-part program incorporates a cross-cultural homestay with individualized field study. The program is open to undergraduates of any major at the University of Pittsburgh with sufficient Spanish language proficiency and an interest in Latin American culture. About 10-15 students will be selected for the program and enroll in a preparatory seminar on campus during the spring of 2026, and then travel to the host country where they will study, live with a host family, and carry out an independent field project during the summer.
The Destination
Heredia, Costa Rica
Heredia, known as the “City of Flowers,” combines historic charm with the vibrancy of a university town, making it an ideal destination for the 2026 Seminar and Field Trip Program. As home to the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, the city offers a lively student atmosphere with cafés, cultural centers, and a welcoming community that reflects the country’s emphasis on education and civic life. Located just a few miles from the capital, San José, Heredia provides easy access to Costa Rica’s political and cultural hub, where students can explore museums, theaters, markets, and government institutions. At the same time, its central location places students within reach of coffee plantations, volcanoes, and lush national parks. Through homestays, field projects, and cultural excursions, participants will experience Costa Rica’s deep commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and social development. This immersion will not only expand students’ understanding of Central American society but also provide an unforgettable cross-cultural experience that blends academic learning with real-world engagement.
The Destination
San José, Costa Rica
San José, the bustling capital of Costa Rica, serves as the cultural, political, and economic heart of the nation and offers students a dynamic setting for exploration and learning. Nestled in the Central Valley and surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, this vibrant city is home to renowned museums, historic theaters, colorful markets, and lively public spaces that showcase the country’s rich artistic and cultural traditions. As the hub of Costa Rica’s government and commerce, San José provides unique opportunities to engage with national institutions, while its central location makes it the perfect gateway to the country’s famed natural wonders. Students will experience the energy of urban Costa Rica while gaining insight into the broader social, cultural, and environmental context of life in Central America.
Spring Term Seminar, ARTSC 1990 (3 credits)
Monday and Wednesday 11am-12:15pm
This interdisciplinary seminar is designed to prepare students for their in-country experience. Students will learn about the history, culture, politics and geography of the host country. The seminar will also examine the issues dealing with cross-cultural communication and the challenges and rewards of the international living experience will be examined. Students will be guided through the design of individual field projects that they will carry out during their in-country experience in May and June.
Summer Session Field Program, ARTSC 1991 (6 credits)
While living with a host family, students will carry out their individual field investigations, collecting data and information for evaluation. The project director will be present throughout the program to provide guidance and direction. Final written project reports will be completed upon return to the US and submitted at a deadline set by the director of the program.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty: Ana Paula Carvalho
Program Director: Luis G. Van Fossen Bravo
Global Experiences Office - Program contact: Oksana Stalczynski
Cost
The Center for Latin American Studies underwrites a large part of this program—roundtrip airfare, room and board, and traveler’s insurance are covered by the Center. Students are responsible for the cost of six credits of summer tuition, visa fees and all other incidentals.
Summer 2025 Pricing & Dates: TO BE DETERMINED.
| In-State Fee | Out-of-State Fee |
| $6,334* | $6,534* |
| Depart USA | Return to USA |
| May 15, 2026* | June 26, 2025* |
* subject to change
Requirements for consideration
- Candidates are required to be full time, degree seeking undergraduates (from any discipline) maintaining a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors who possess the necessary skills and disposition are welcome apply.
- By the time the field component begins, applicants must possess sufficient Spanish language proficiency to communicate effectively with their host families, travel independently and carry out their individual projects.
- Most importantly, interested applicants must demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, assimilate to a new culture, and welcome cross-cultural interaction. Selected candidates must be initiative taking, self-directed and comfortable functioning with little supervision.
Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
For more information on the CLAS Seminar & Field Trip, please e-mail Luis G. Van Fossen Bravo, Associate Director (bravo@pitt.edu) or Ana Paula Carvalho, CLAS Assistant Director for Academic Affairs (apcst11@pitt.edu)
To apply go to: https://abroad.pitt.edu/classeminar