Immersion Programs
Go full-in with learning another language and experiencing another culture by joining them for a full semester.
These life-changing immersion programs will not only accelerate learning the native language but continue to advance your degree as you take courses at sister universities in Costa Rica and Quebec. In the truest sense, this is the classroom in and of the world. Pack your bags Bulldog, you've got a lot to explore.
COSTA RICA IMMERSION PROGRAM
A language immersion program can put you well on your way to understanding and being understood in Spanish. Conversing with locals in Costa Rica means you also get the opportunity to experience other aspects of the culture, too.
Students study for three weeks in late May and early June. Classes are available at the 100-, 200-, and 300-levels. Weekend excursions can include: zip-lining, hot-spring spas, snorkeling, waterfall climbing, and whitewater rafting.
Classes are held at Intercultura Language School in Heredia, Costa Rica. You’re grouped by your Spanish-speaking ability into small, personalized classes that meet for four hours a day. Outside of class, you can make the most of your time in the small town of Heredia, which is near the capital city of San Jose. It’s a convenient location for exploring the country’s natural treasures such as:
- Delicious fruits
- Hundreds of species of tropical birds
- Impressive volcanoes
- Lush rain forests
- Luxurious hot springs
ELIGIBILITY AND COST
To be considered for the program, you must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and be in good disciplinary standing at Wingate University. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you also need a U.S. passport. If you’re a citizen of another country, check with the Costa Rican embassy for possible visa requirements.
Tuition covers:
- Round trip group airfare from Charlotte to San Jose
- Summer Wingate tuition (3 credit hours)
- Classes at Intercultura Language School
- International Health Insurance
- Transportation to/from the San Jose airport
- Housing in a private home
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Weekday excursions and classes
- Weekend overnight excursions to mountains, beaches, rainforests, and more!
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Internet access
- Language lab access
Other estimated costs:
- Baggage fees (approx. $25 each way)
- Lunch (approx. $5/day)
- Passport costs (between $110 and $135)
- Spending money for shopping or other extra excursions and activities, and tips for excursion guides
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The WINGS Grant is available for Costa Rica Language Immersion Participants. Please apply as early as possible, as funds may not be available later in the year.
QUEBEC IMMERSION PROGRAM
Our International Studies program welcomes you to sharpen your French skills in the city of Quebec, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site and the only walled city north of Mexico. While in Quebec, you’ll study at the University of Laval, the oldest Francophone university in North America. Wander through streets filled with European charm and international restaurants, stores and more. Experience all this multicultural city has to offer, including:
- Centuries old wall system encircling Old Quebec
- Cobblestone streets lined with restaurants and boutiques
- Hundreds of restaurants featuring foods from every corner of the globe
- The imposing St. Lawrence River, the gateway to America
- Montmorency Falls, a mighty waterfall 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls
- Rue du Trésor, Old Quebec’s open air art gallery
Eligibility and cost
To be considered for the program, you must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and be in good disciplinary standing at Wingate University. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you also need a U.S. passport. If you’re a citizen of another country, check with the Canadian embassy for possible visa requirements.
Tuition covers:
- Breakfast and dinner everyday
- Campus facility access
- Class materials
- Daily language classes
- Homestay in a private home with a local family
- International health insurance
- Peer mentors
- Six credits of Wingate summer tuition
Keep in mind that other costs not listed above include:
- Airfare (around $400)
- Baggage fees
- Lunches ($5/day)
- Passport costs if you don’t have one (about $165)
- Spending money for shopping or other extra excursions and activities
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
You may be eligible for a WINGS grant to help with the cost of studying in Quebec.