Winter 2024 Costa riCa
appliCation timeline
The winter intersession in Costa Rica program is open to all college students. Eligibility requires a
cumulative GPA of 2.5 and completion of college level courses. If it is your first semester, we will
accept a progress report. Undergraduate students from outside colleges may submit unofficial
college transcripts. Student must be 18 years old by the arrival date.
(
Step 1
) Contact the study abroad office OR go to Citrus College’s study abroad website and complete the
Interest Form
. (
Step 2
) Once this is completed and approved, your advisor will send you a link to the
AIFS online enrollment
page. Completion of the initial application, the AIFS online enrollment, and
(
Step 3
) payment of the $450 deposit will secure your place in the program.
$450 deposit DEADLINE: Pay the $450 deposit by October 13, 2023. The complete balance of payments
is due November 17, 2023. Please see the Fee Schedule information sheet for more detail.
FINANCIAL AID
While financial aid is not available during the winter intersession, students may use financial aid from the
previous semester. Students may also apply for loans late in the semester. Check with the financial aid office
for the final day to apply for loans. Students are eligible for the Promise Grant (former BOGW) during the
winter intersession.
WITHDRAWING FROM PROGRAM AND REFUNDS
The AIFS refund policy is on the AIFS student web portal. Withdrawal notice must be sent via email to
Karen Winslow (see AIFS contacts below). Charges may apply after deadlines if withdrawal notice
is not sent out.
REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES
Once you have paid the deposit, you will be able to register through Citrus’ Wingspan student portal on
your designated registration date. If students are not eligible for the Promise Grant (formerly BOGW),
tuition fees will be applied (3 units x $46 = $138 per course).
COSTA RICA ORIENTATION – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 at 10 a.m.
The MANDATORY student pre-departure orientation will be held at Citrus College in CI 159 for all
students participating in the program. Instructors and AIFS student services representatives will attend.
Family members are welcome.
CITRUS COLLEGE CONTACTS: 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora, CA 91741
John Morris, Study Abroad Specialist (626) 914-8560 [email protected]
Robert Goodman, Biology Instructor (626) 914-8770 rgoodman@citruscollege.edu
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR FOREIGN STUDY (AIFS) CONTACTS:
One High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905
Karen Winslow – Systems Program Coordinator (housing questions, flight questions, general program,
(withdrawals, refunds, financial aid, payment processing questions) (800) 727-2437 X5089
Citrus College
Biology in Costa Rica
J-Term 2024
The AIFS program based on an enrollment of 15-19 participants is: $4,475 and includes the following:
Accommodation and Meals:
• Accommodation in twin/triple-bedded rooms in a centrally located tourist class hotel or lodge, including daily
breakfast, as per the program itinerary
• A farewell dinner
Transportation:
• A private air-conditioned bus for all excursions and for traveling between locations
Activities and Excursions:
La Selva
• A visit to Doka Coffee Plantation and Poas Volcano
• A visit to La Paz Waterfall
• Natural History of La Selva lecture and Carbon Project Workshop
• Sarapiqui River Boat Ride
• Two-night hikes and a morning hike with guides
Soltis Centre:
• Soltis Center introduction lecture
• Two night hikes with guide
• A local waterfall hike
• A tropical fruit class
• Horseback right to Fortuna Waterfall
• A hike at Arenal Volcano Waterfall
• A visit to Baldi Hot Springs
Monteverde La Estación Biológica:
• Monteverde La Estacion Biological introduction lecture
• A visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest Bio Reserve
• Two night hikes with guide
• Ziplining
• A morning hike with guide
Palo Verde:
• Introduction to Palo Verde Biological Station
• A hike with guide
Hacienda Barú Lodge:
• Crocodile Safari
• Hike in Carara National Park including entrance
• Introduction to Hacienda Baru Lodge
• A night hike with guide
• A visit to Manuel Antonio Beach
Also included:
• Access to the AIFS Study Center in San José with free Wi-Fi and printing, and a dedicated AIFS Tour Manager to
provide information, personal advising/counseling and 24-hour emergency contact service
• Medical insurance policy
Program does not include the following:
• Optional transportation package including round-trip airfare between Los Angeles (LAXD) and San José, Costa Rica
(SJO) and round-trip transfers overseas between the airport and the student accommodation on the standard program
dates for $645
• Mandatory U.S. government and airline-imposed departure taxes, fees of $130.
• Textbooks
• Citrus College tuition and/or administrative fees
• Meals other than those listed
• Passport and visa fees if applicable
• Field trips or excursions required by your instructors
• Personal expenses
• Anything else not specified
2024 PROGRAM DATES
Monday, January 15 Arrive in San José, Costa Rica.
Sunday, February 4 End of program.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR AIFS FEES
J-Term Program Fee Deadline
Optional Fee Due Date
Enrollment deposit $450.00 October 13, 2023 Transportation Package $645.00 November 17, 2023
Balance of fees $4,025.00 November 17, 2023 Taxes/Fees $130.00 November 17, 2023
Total $4,475.00 Total $775.00
All students must submit the $450 enrollment deposit when completing the online enrollment form. Subsequent
payments may be made by check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to “AIFS.” American Express,
MasterCard and Visa are also accepted.
Please note: A $35 returned check fee will be charged on all checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
AIFS TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE
Participants have the option of purchasing a round-trip ticket for the flight arranged through AIFS. Participants choosing
this option should note the following restrictions: Tickets purchased from AIFS are exclusively on scheduled airlines (not
charters). They are not endorsable to another carrier. Flights are not necessarily direct or non-stop, they cannot be
rerouted, and frequent flyer miles are not applicable. The AIFS Transportation Package includes round-trip ground
transportation from the airport overseas to your accommodations on the regularly scheduled program dates. AIFS will
book flights only on the dates indicated in this document.
Participants wishing to purchase the Transportation Package should select this option on the online enrollment form, or
if you wish to add the flight after you complete the form you must notify AIFS in writing by Friday, October 13, 2023.
Participants wishing to cancel the flight must notify AIFS in writing by Friday, November 17, 2023. Cancellation penalties
will apply. Tickets are non-refundable after this date.
AIFS Airfare Regulations: Return must be to original U.S. departure city. No refunds are available for any unused
portion of the ticket. Stopovers are not permitted.
Note: Participants contemplating returning home on a different date should make their own round-trip travel
arrangements. AIFS cannot book flights on alternate dates.
AIFS cannot guarantee that all passengers will be booked on the same flight.
AIFS will not make your flight arrangements for you unless you clearly indicate your travel preferences on your
online enrollment form.
A minimum of 10 participants must take the flight for it to be offered.
Important Dates to remember should you need to cancel this program:
If an individual student withdraws on or before Friday, October 13, 2023, all fees paid less than a $150 processing fee
will be refunded. If an individual withdraws after Friday, October 13, 2023, but on or before Friday, November 17, 2023,
all fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student’s
behalf will be refunded. If a student withdraws after Friday, November 17, 2023, they will receive no refund and the total
program fee is due. If a student withdraws once the program has begun, there is no refund.
Protecting your investment:
Participants will have the option of purchasing additional trip cancellation or interruption insurance which allows them to
protect their study abroad program. This policy includes options to cancel for any reason (CFAR) and interrupt for any
reason (IFAR). Details of the Worldwide Trip Protector Plans with travel insurance underwritten by the United States Fire
Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best 2019, are available on the Cultural Insurance Services International
(CISI) website - www.culturalinsurance.com. Students may purchase their plan directly through the CISI website.
