INSTITUTO TECNÓLOGICO DE COSTA RICA

Cartago, Costa Rica

About ITCR

Founded in 1971 Also known as

“ITCR” or “TEC” Type: public Programs:

Undergraduate & graduate

Website: www.tec.ac.cr(Spanish only)

About ITCR

Total Enrollment: 6,000- 6,999

Total Staff:900-999

History:Created by Costa Rica Law No. 4777

President: Julio Calvo

Location

Location: Cartago, Costa Rica (24 km. east of the capital: San José)

Satellite Locations: San José, San Carlos (Costa Rica)

Mission Statement

"Contributing to the integral development of the country, by means of the formation of human resources, research and extension; keeping the scientific-technical leadership, the academic excellence and the strict attachment to the ethical, environmental and humanists norms, from a state university perspective of quality and competitiveness at national and international level"

Undergraduate Programs

Business Information

Technology Education Mathematics Sustainable Tourism Construction

Engineering Industrial Engineering Computer

Engineering

•Industrial Design•Environmental Engineering•Biotechnology Engineering•Agro business Engineering•Architecture and Urbanism•Business Administration•Agronomical Engineering

Graduate Programs

Masters Degree in: Business

Administration Computers Education Production

Technology and Natural Resources

Occupational Health and Environmental Hygiene

Project Management

Modern Manufacturing Systems

Local Economic Development with Emphasis on Tourism

Electro mechanic Engineering

Doctorate Degree:

Natural Science

Academic Calendar

Programs are offered in periods of : Semestres (classes last for periods of 6

months) Quatrimestres (periods of 4 months) Trimestres (periods of 3 months) Bimestres (periods of 2 months)

For exact dates of classes, visit: http://www.tec.ac.cr/estudiantes/calendario_inst/Paginas/calendario_2012.aspx

Admission/ Choosing Courses

Based on Admission Exam

Guidelines for specific areas of study can be found at: http://www.tec.ac.cr/estudiantes/Paginas/PlanesEstudio.aspx

Accommodations

3 options: Home stays: students live with families in

Cartago – furnished homes with food/laundry provided

Apartments: students live with other students of ITCR – apartments are usually unfurnished

Residencias Estudiantiles: housing provided by ITCR for students with financial need and of good academic standing – furnished residences

About the City of Cartago

The capital of the Cartago province

Population: 156, 600 inhabitants (2008)

Founded in 1563 Was the capital of

Costa Rica until 1823

Transportation

Cartago has a small airport, so it is best to fly into San Jose and get transportation into Cartago.

Buses: buses are cheap and leave every 30 minutes from San Jose into Cartago

Transportation

Once in Cartago Car Rental: Cars can be rented at the airport and driven into the Cartago (this is probably more expensive and less convenient, however)

Train: trains are a comfortable option to get right into the city of Cartago

Taxis: a good way to get around in Cartago; all are orange in color.

Public buses: a cheaper, but less convenient way to get around the city.

Money

Costa Rica’s currency is the colón Currently the exchange rate is 1

dollar: 500.69 colones Be mindful of the exchange rate! You

can check it on sites like: Coinmill.com

Banks are usually open Monday-Friday, and U.S. dollars can be exchanged from colones here

Weather in Cartago

Climate is relatively mild Rainy, cloudy most of the

time Mild temperatures:

Coldest month (temperatures between 50°F and 60°F): January

Warmest month (temperatures average around 80°F): May

Months with the most rainfall: May and June (over 250mm.)

November-April: the “dry season”

Food

A restaurant is located at ITCR and is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30am- 8:00pm and Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm

Try to local cuisine like: Gallo Pinto- the national dish- fried rice and

black beans Arroz con pollo or arroz con atun – rice with

chicken or tuna Horchata- a cinnamon flavored drink Tres leches- dessert made of three-layered

flan

Health Matters

Vaccinations that are recommended for travelers to Costa Rica: Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Typhoid

Also, it is recommended to take prescription anti-malaria drugs if traveling to the Límon Province of Costa Rica

For more health information, go to cdc.gov

What to bring?

Passport! Clothes for all

seasons Prescription

medications Credit card Identification and

copies of identification

Outlet converters

What to do??

Visit: Basilica de Nuestra

Señora de los Angeles (pictured at right)

Irazu Volcano – close to Cartago and is the largest in Costa Rica

Orosi Valley – located 12km from Cartago, surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes

What to do??

Visit: the Ruins of Cartago

(archaeological site- pictured at left)

Turrialba- right outside of the city, best rafting in Costa Rica

Lankaster Botanical Gardens- in Paraiso (40km from Cartago), Central America’s largest collection of orchids

Contacting ITCR

For more information, you can contact the university at:

E-mail: infoportal@itcr.ac.cr Phone: 2552-5333 Apartado 159-7050 Cartado, Costa Rica Website: www.tec.ac.cr

Helpful Resources

www.cdc.gov www.wikitravel.org/en/cartago www.anywherecostarica.com www.costarica.com