Overview

(9 - 15-credit units) 
Late August – Early December, 2025

University of Peace is the United Nation’s university, located near Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica.

  • U of S students will take 3 - 5 courses and earn 9 - 15 U of S credit units.
  • Your program fee includes the cost of home-stay accommodation and breakfast.
  • You will live with a family among UPeace's roster of 250 vetted and approved families

In partnership with the UN's University for Peace students will travel to Costa Rica to learn about the principles of peace, the structure of the United Nations, contemporary issues in environment and development, and the “ripple” effects of water on local communities through classroom learning and field work.

Home-stay provides a wonderful opportunity to enhance your learning by staying in an immersion environment. Through homestay, you will also experience Costa Rican family life and get a better sense of the city's society and culture. UPeace also organizes a series of optional excursions to other cities and sites of special interest, available at extra cost.

Here are a couple of quotations from our past student participants:

"I had a lot of fun exploring new culture, food, and people. I love exploring and I am a very adventurous person and getting an opportunity to purse education and learn in such a unique manner was amazing."
~ Costa Rica Taught Abroad Class '24

 

"I really recommend a study abroad experience to all- it was so rich to get the opportunity to hear global perspectives and different lived experiences on common issues!"
~ Shelly, Costa Rica Taught Abroad Class '24

Program

All of the identified course numbers are for USask courses. Please see the Course and Program Catalogue for course descriptions and prerequisites.

Prerequisites

To be eligible for acceptance to the UPeace Term Abroad Program students

Cost

    1. USask Tuition (9 - 15 credit units - Tuition Category 1) 
    2. Program Fees*

*The above fees do not cover the following costs of participation:

  • your return airfare and local transportation costs
  • travel and medical insurance
  • study materials (including textbooks), personal expenditure and optional field trips organized by UPeace

Payment Schedule:

  • The program deposit of $500, payable by money order or cheque only, will be due upon receiving your official acceptance letter into the program. This deposit is non-refundable after September 15.
  • Balance (Costa Rica accommodations): payable in full by November 1 (just prior to departure).
Cancellation Penalty:

$500 program deposit is non-refundable after September 15. In the event of early termination, USask and UPeace refund policies apply.

Financial Assistance:

All students accepted to participate in the program are eligible to apply for the $1000 - $2500 Global Engagement Scholarship to help offset costs related to studying abroad.

For further information please visit: https://students.usask.ca/academics/study-abroad/awards.php

Arts and Science students who have been accepted to the UPeace Spanish Term Abroad program are eligible to apply for Arts and Science Travel Awards. Information can be found at the link below.

Living in Ciudad Colon

Living in Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica, offers a unique blend of tranquility and convenience.

Nestled in a lush, natural environment, this small town is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and a biological reserve, making it a haven for nature lovers1. Despite its serene setting, Ciudad Colón is just a short drive from the bustling capital, San José, providing easy access to urban amenities.

The town is known for its multicultural community, partly due to the presence of the University for Peace, which attracts students from around the world.

Residents enjoy a variety of dining options, from local "sodas" to international cuisine, and benefit from a lower cost of living compared to more developed areas.

The community is friendly and vibrant, with frequent cultural events and a strong sense of local pride.

Weekend excursions may be organized by UPeace to provide opportunities to enjoy many nearby attractions.

Application

Application deadline for travel in Winter Term 2026 is April 30, 2025.  Online Application form will be available at the end of September.  While there is no maximum number of students early applications are encouraged.

If you have any questions please contact:

Program Coordinator: AandS.abroad@usask.ca