MHCC Study Abroad: Discover Costa Rica and Japan

Mt. Hood Community College’s Modern Language study abroad programs offer students the opportunity to learn Spanish or Japanese from native speakers while discovering new cultures and exploring beautiful locales.

MHCC’s Study Spanish in Costa Rica (Winter term) and Study Japanese in Japan (biennial Summer term) are currently accepting applications for the 2017-18 school year. Both programs are open to students of all ages, 17 years and older.

The Study Spanish in Costa Rica program takes place Jan. 19 – March 10, 2018. Participants will earn a minimum of 15 college transfer credits in Spanish language and live with a family in the tropical Costa Rican city of San Isidro de El General. During their seven-week stay in San Isidro de El General, they will study Spanish at the SEPA School and travel throughout the region, including to coastal parks and mountainous inland areas.

The cost of the Study Spanish in Costa Rica program is $5,300 (estimated), which includes the cost of airfare; tuition; textbooks; and a three-day, two-night beach excursion. Financial aid can be applied to these costs. Group size for this study abroad is limited to 20 students. Students not currently enrolled in MHCC may also apply to the Study Spanish in Costa Rica program; however, they must produce evidence of good study skills and have achieved at least a 2.5 GPA in previous academic experiences.

The Learn Japanese in Kyoto – or MHCC@Ryukoku – program is a cultural exchange between Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan. Each winter, Ryukoku University students spend three weeks studying English at MHCC, and, every other summer, MHCC students visit Ryukoku University and the Kyoto area for three weeks.

The MHCC@Ryukoku program takes place June 23 through mid-July. During that time, students live with host families and partake in field trips to Hiroshima, Miyajima, and other historical and cultural sites throughout Western Japan.

Students in the MHCC@Ryukoku program will earn three credits in Comparative Culture. The cost of the program – $2,500 (estimated) – covers airfare, accommodations, and five field trips, but not the cost of tuition or meals. Tuition costs for three credits range from $328 for in-state residents to $655 for out-of-state residents and $736 for international students. Students who complete each level of MHCC’s Japanese language program with a grade of an A or B before Winter term 2018 can receive a discount on their total program costs. Eligible students for the MHCC@Ryukoku program must have completed at least one term of college-level Japanese language. First Year Japanese 1 (JPN101) will be offered winter term 2018, but not in the spring.

You can learn more about the study abroad programs at MHCC by visiting mhcc.edu/StudyAbroad