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| Prepare for a career in medicine by gaining a global perspective in one of the world's most successful healthcare environments. This professionally-led, 9-day journey offers motivated teens ages 14–18 a competitive edge through hands-on clinical workshops, medical school tours, and specialized medical Spanish training in the heart of Costa Rica.
Embark on an immersive 9-day professional pathway designed for the next generation of doctors, nurses, and global health innovators. Based in Atenas, known as having the best climate in the world, this program offers a sophisticated look at one of the world’s most successful universal healthcare systems—a model renowned for its efficiency and for fostering some of the longest life expectancies on the planet. This exploration goes far beyond the classroom, placing students at the intersection of clinical practice and public health. From mastering vitals and suturing techniques in state-of-the-art university simulation labs to learning about Costa Rica's exemplary universal healthcare system, you will gain a transparent view of the medical profession. Beyond the clinical walls, the journey takes you into the heart of the Central Valley to explore the role of biodiversity and traditional wellness in Costa Rican culture. Supported by our expert directors and a curriculum that blends medical Spanish with professional mentorship, this is the definitive experience for motivated students ready to build a Global Health resume while discovering the natural wonders of the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Program Location: Atenas, Jacó, and San Luis Cloud Forest
Eligibility: 14-18 years of age
Group Size: Typical cohort of 8–12 participants (Min: 5 / Max: 15)
Focus: Pre-Medicine, Public Health, & Medical Spanish
Activity Level: Moderate: Includes city walking, university medical school tours, and zip line activity.
Accommodation: Vetted Homestays in Atenas.
Arrival & Departure Airport: SJO (Juan Santamaría International Airport)
Room & Board | Onsite Director & 24/7 Support | Healthcare & Clinical Programming |Excursions | Cultural Activities | Airport Transfers | International Medical Insurance
8:00 AM: Traditional breakfast and cultural exchange with your Atenas host family.
9:00 AM: Professional University Lecture and Medical Spanish Class. Attend an introductory session on Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system (in English) and participate in an interactive Medical Spanish workshop.
12:30 PM: Enjoy a traditional packed lunch provided by your homestay.
1:30 PM: Cultural Immersion: Visit the largest botanical garden in Costa Rica for a local medicinal plant tour to learn about ethnobotany and the impact of biodiversity on traditional healthcare practices.
7:00 PM: Dinner and evening reflection with your host family.
9:00 AM: Medical School Tour: Visit the Universidad Hispanoamericana campus to observe professional medical facilities and labs.
10:00 AM: Hands-On Medical Workshop: Clinical laboratory simulation and training in clinical injections or suturing techniques.
12:00 PM: Traditional packed lunch provided by your homestay to enjoy between activities.
1:30 PM: Cultural & Biodiversity Immersion: Visit a local Wildlife Rescue Center to learn about Costa Rican biodiversity and wild animal rehabilitation for toucans, sloths, monkeys, scarlet macaws and more.
7:00 PM: Dinner and evening reflection with your host family.
Day 1: Arrival & Pura Vida Welcome: Arrive for your program start and airport pick-up. Transfer to Heredia to meet your host family and enjoy your first dinner together.
Day 2: Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Culture: Discover Costa Rica's largest botanical garden, Ark Herb Farm, with a guided tour followed by an Arcos Orientation. After a packed lunch, visit the Museo de Cultura Popular before returning to Heredia for dinner with your host family.
Day 3: Public Health & Medical Spanish & Culinary Arts: Attend a professional lecture on Costa Rica's universal healthcare system. Participate in a Medical Spanish workshop. In the afternoon, participate in a traditional cooking class and prepare a collaborative traditional lunch including gallo pinto and tortillas.
Day 4: Clinical Skills & Wildlife Rescue Center: Engage in hands-on medical workshops focusing on vital signs and emergency medicine. Conclude the day with a visit to a Wildlife Rescue Center to see and learn about sloths, monkeys, toucans, and more!
Day 5: Canopy Adventure: Experience a professional Zip Line Canopy Tour through the rainforest with a traditional lunch. Return to Atenas in the afternoon and get ready for a movie night.
Day 6: Medical School: Visit the university medical school for a tour of the simulation rooms and a hands-on clinical workshop in injections. Return to Atenas to visit the Atenas Farmers Market and enjoy a fruit tasting activity.
Day 7: Hospital Immersion & Chocolate Tour: Experience a professional visit to the Public Hospital of Heredia, including the pediatrics and newborn units. After lunch with your family, enjoy a Chocolate Tour and make your own sweet treats from bean to bar.
Day 8: Pacific Coast Beach Excursion: Journey to the stunning Pacific Coast for a full-day excursion to Jacó Beach. Enjoy a packed lunch from your homestay and spend a "Pura Vida" day relaxing by the ocean or exploring the vibrant beach town. Return to Heredia in the evening for a final traditional dinner with your host family.
Day 9: Departure: Following a final breakfast with your host family, receive a coordinated airport drop-off as your program concludes.
Our Pre-Med Active Core is built on three pillars of professional discovery: hands-on clinical workshops, immersive site visits, and lectures on global health systems. This structured programming ensures that every student leaves Costa Rica with a tangible understanding of medical theory and the practical realities of a functioning dual healthcare system.
Clinical Perspectives & Public Health: The Universal Model Go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most successful universal healthcare systems. Students analyze the intersection of public policy and patient care, gaining a deep understanding of why Costa Rica consistently ranks at the top of global health and longevity charts.
Medical Simulation & Practical Skills: The Hands-On Workshop Step into the role of a healthcare professional at the Universidad Hispanoamericana’s medical simulation labs. Under the guidance of faculty, students engage in hands-on workshops including suturing techniques, injection administration, and the mastery of vital signs, providing a tangible head start on the foundational skills required in medical school.
Medical Spanish & Cultural Competency: Communication in Care Bridge the gap between language and medicine through the specialized Medical Spanish workshop. Students learn anatomy vocabulary, symptoms, and understand the cultural nuances of healthcare in a Latin American context—essential skills for any future provider working in an increasingly diverse global community.
The Pre-Med Healthcare Exploration is a foundational step in a student's journey toward a career in medicine. Combining hands-on labs and academic rigor, the true value lies in the development of a global medical perspective.
Global Health Awareness: By analyzing the Costa Rican "Caja" (Universal Healthcare), students gain a comparative lens to view healthcare systems worldwide. This understanding of public health infrastructure is a key differentiator for university applications and future medical interviews.
The Language of Care: Medical Spanish is more than just vocabulary; it is about empathy and access. Students explore how language barriers impact health outcomes and develop the cultural competency required to serve diverse populations in their future careers.
Professional Grit & Readiness: Navigating a clinical environment and engaging in high-level university simulations fosters a sense of professional maturity. Students return home with a clearer vision of their future path and the confidence to succeed in a rigorous pre-medical academic track.
We provide a seamless, all-inclusive professional program where every detail—from clinical site access to university lab permits—is managed by our team. This allows students to focus entirely on their academic and professional development in a high-support environment.
Full Room & Board: Vetted homestays in Atenas.
Onsite Leadership: 24/7 dedicated support from Arcos Program Directors.
Professional Programming: All clinical and simulation lab fees, activity entrance fees, and academic lectures.
All Ground Transport: Private group transportation for all scheduled activities.
Specialized Curriculum: All Medical Spanish and clinical simulation materials.
Excursions & Activities: Pacific Coast beach excursion, Zipline canopy tour, and city tour.
Comprehensive Insurance: Full international medical and accident coverage.
Airport Transitions: Personal greeting and airport transfers to and from SJO.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare to San José (SJO) and personal spending money for souvenirs or additional snacks.
To maintain the Arcos "Gold Standard," we provide a high-support environment that balances academic independence with rigorous safety protocols. Our presence in Atenas is backed by a deep network of local healthcare partners and a structured "Group Bubble" that ensures students are supervised from arrival at SJO until their final departure.
Our onsite Directors act as professional mentors, managing all clinical clearances and university protocols. All medical simulations and hospital observations follow strict professional standards; students are required to wear scrubs and close-toed shoes to maintain professional safety and hygiene in the the healthcare environment.
Students stay with carefully selected host families in Heredia who have long-standing relationships with Arcos. All ground transportation is private and vetted, ensuring secure transit between the university medical school, activities, beach and rainforest expeditions.
With over 20 years of experience, our Austin, Texas-based headquarters and onsite leadership provide a 24/7 safety net. Every student is covered by a premium Cigna Global international medical insurance policy, and we maintain established relationships with top-tier facilities like Clínica Bíblica for immediate, high-quality care.
Angélica (Angie) Pérez is a native Costa Rican and a veteran in the study abroad field. She has dedicated over two decades to sharing the biodiversity and heritage of Costa Rica. A graduate of UNACE University with more than ten years of experience as a Program Director, she is an expert in student mentorship and cross-cultural immersion. Angie is First Aid/CPR certified and specializes in leading high-level professional programs, ensuring every Arcos student has a safe, educational, and expertly guided experience in her homeland.
"Learning about the universal healthcare system and doing clinical workshops gave me knowledge I could never have gained in a classroom. I’m starting my college applications with a much clearer vision of what kind of doctor I want to be." — Emerson, 11th Grade Student, The Paideia School, Atlanta, GA
"The medical simulation labs at the Universidad Hispanoamericana were incredible. We weren't just watching; we were practicing suturing and learning how to take vitals correctly. Combining those hands-on skills with the Medical Spanish workshops made me feel like I was getting a massive head start on my pre-med track." — Coco, 11th Grade Student, Francis W. Parker School, Chicago, IL
"I am more sure of my decision to study pre-med and that I want to work in healthcare. Living with a local family in Atenas made the experience feel so personal— it was an immersion into a different way of living and caring for people." — Daniel, 10th Grade Student, Austin High School, Austin, TX
Not at all. While we recommend at least one year of high school Spanish, the program is designed to accommodate various levels. Our Medical Spanish workshops are tailored to help you master medical vocabulary clinical terminology, and our bilingual Program Directors are always present to facilitate professional interactions at the university medical school and beyond.
This is a Professional Exploration program focused on observation, academic skill-building, and systemic understanding. Unlike volunteer missions which often focus on labor, our program prioritizes your education through university-led simulations (such as suturing and vitals) and high-level clinical tours led by health science academics and physicians, ensuring a deeper, more ethical understanding of global health.
Students are required to bring a set of medical scrubs and close-toed shoes for university medical school visits and clinical simulation workshops to maintain the professional hygiene and safety. A detailed packing list, including specific recommendations for clinical attire and gear for the beach and rainforest expedition, will be provided upon enrollment.
