FutureVets is an honors only program with a 4.0 GPA requirement for all students. GPA Verification must be submitted before the program begins.

Because of the additional training YOU receive as a Delegate at the Congress,and because you have verified your GPA with the Academy, you are PRE-APPROVED to attend FutureVets (you do not need to verify a 4.0 GPA).

Absolutely! We would love to have you with us!

The Tuition for FutureVets is $6,800. As a Congress Delegate, you receive an immediate $500 discount. 

It includes all program and educational costs, international air travel, accommodations for the duration of the trip, chaperones available 24-hours a day throughout the program (and on travel days), three daily meals, and your personalized FutureVets Achievement and Leadership Certificate (mailed to you after the program), as well as any local transportation and international health insurance.

All international travel plans and accommodations will be arranged by our team and are included in the Tuition.

Tuition does not include recommended trip cancellation insurance, domestic airfare to the departure location for international travel (or other domestic transportation methods), passport fees, vaccinations, health records or tests, spending cash for souvenirs or snacks, or airline baggage fees.

Yes. You have the option to select an extended payment plan for the Tuition.

Payment options for 2023 enrollment:

Full Payment: $6,300 (Congress Delegate discount applied)

Payment Plan: Initial payment of $550 followed by 11 payments of $550 automatically charged every 30 days.

If enrollment in a program and the first payment for enrollment is processed on or before March 1, 2023, enrollment may be canceled for a full refund of Tuition paid if a request is made in writing within 30 days of the first payment, regardless of whether that first payment is a full or partial payment. Refunds can take four to six weeks to process.

Beyond 30 days after the first payment, Tuition, including all deposits and payments paid, is non-refundable. However, enrollment may be transferred on or before March 1, 2023, to a future program on a space-available basis.

If enrollment in the program and the first payment for enrollment is processed on or after March 1, 2023, Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.

We strongly encourage families to purchase travel insurance to cover travel and Tuition expenses in case of an unforeseen cancellation.

We take safety and security very seriously. The program staff is always available to you and your peers. Each student will have a dedicated chaperone as well as other staff members who will be available 24/7 throughout the program. If you have a problem or concern, we’re always there to help and offer support.

You should understand that this program is for the mature student who can be trusted to follow instructions and act properly. As with travel to any international destination, general awareness, staying with the group as required by program policies, and guidance from our experienced staff will greatly reduce the likelihood of any safety concerns. All students will be trained on safety and security measures, as well as plans of response should a safety concern arise, either locally or elsewhere within the country.

While we know this is an incredibly exciting opportunity, we know it can be an overwhelming one. Our team is here for you and your family. Leading up to the program, we will give you all the information and guidance you need to prepare for departure. Our team is here to help any time you or your family have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk things through!

If circumstances change, we can work together to transfer your enrollment to another future program on a space-available basis. This can only be done before March 1, 2023. After that date, enrollment may not be transferred or changed.

It is required that all students be up-to-date on all routine immunizations stated on the CDC website, including DTaP, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal, MMR, and Varicella (Chickenpox).

To access the clinical facilities in Costa Rica, students are also REQUIRED to have Typhoid and Rabies immunizations.

Note: Immunization fees are not included in the Tuition.

We strongly advise students to take up the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, students will be required to be vaccinated in order to rotate within the Medical Facilities. 

Students may also be asked to submit to temperature or other COVID-19-related screenings for travel, access to our host university’s facilities, and use of other facilities.

Yes. Students will need a passport valid through August 12, 2023, for entry into Costa Rica.

We strongly advise students to check or apply for their passport as soon as possible, as it can take four to six weeks to receive a new passport. 

Note: Passport fees are not included in the Tuition.

At this time, citizens of the U.S. do not require a visa to travel to Costa Rica, if they are staying for less than 90 days. We will alert students and parents if requirements should change in the future.

Note: Visa fees are not included in the Tuition.

We have relationships with veterinary organizations and leaders in the education fields in Costa Rica, which allows students this superb access and experience. The veterinary school is located in Coronado, which is a safe, rural suburb of the capital city of San Jose. The students and chaperones will be staying in the modern, Americanized city of San Jose. Costa Rica is a very popular destination because of the country’s uniquely rich biodiversity.

Our relationship to prestigious universities and faculties in Costa Rica allows an elite level of access and cooperation for attending students.

While physician and veterinary student mentors will educate the students in English, basic English is spoken throughout San Jose, and less so outside of the city. Students will have the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in life in Costa Rica.

All FutureVets activities will take place at the San Francisco de Asis School of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and its affiliated hospitals and facilities.

Students will travel daily with chaperones to and from the veterinary school campus via private, scheduled transportation. Private motor coaches will be arranged for any excursions or activities that take place outside the area.

You can bring all of the above. Having your cell phone with you will be important for updates and communication throughout the program. As with any travel, students will be reminded to be cautious about using their devices and to avoid being distracted by them while in public settings. Students are welcome to bring any personal items and spending money for the duration of the program.

Specific travel details, including flight numbers, travel times, and international airport departure location, will be provided to students no later than four months before the departure date. Students will need to arrange domestic transportation from their home to the international airport departure location and home again. 

Note: Domestic travel expenses are not included in the Tuition.

As a reminder, all international air travel, local transportation, and hotel accommodations will be arranged by our team, and are all included in the Tuition. Students’ international flights will be reserved as a group, along with the flights for the FutureVets team, who will accompany students on flights from the U.S. to the program location and back.

If you become ill, are injured, or you require medical treatment on the trip, your chaperone will bring you to the emergency room or doctor’s office and remain with you at all times. Your parents will be contacted immediately. You will receive the best possible medical care on a VIP basis.

We require all students to submit emergency contact information and disclose medical conditions, allergies, dietary restrictions and/or special needs, prescriptions, etc., before the trip so that if it becomes necessary for you to go to the hospital for any reason, our team has all this important information on hand.

You and your peers will be chaperoned by a team of staff experienced in managing student programs. Chaperones accompany all students on the international flight, stay in the same overnight accommodations, and accompany you on cultural excursions off campus. Your chaperone and the entire team will be available to you 24/7.

Parents may contact chaperones directly if they cannot reach their child for any reason.

Absolutely. You will be split into smaller, more intimate groups when you are in medical settings so that you can participate in more activities, as well as experience a more hands-on approach.

Students and chaperones will stay in a local hotel in San Jose during the program, with daily transportation to the veterinary school. The hotel will be safe and comfortable with modern amenities. Student accommodations will be single-gender and double occupancy.

Strict curfews will be enforced for all students throughout their stay. You will check in with your chaperone each morning, afternoon, and night at the hotel.

You will need to wear scrubs and a white lab coat for all sessions at the veterinary facilities.

For weekend excursions and time off from the hospital, you should pack comfortable/casual clothes. Prior to departure, we will share a suggested packing list with you.

August is part of Costa Rica’s long rainy season but is often regarded as an ideal time to travel to Costa Rica as the mornings are clear and sunny, and the temperatures are in the high 70s or low 80s. The majority of the rain falls in the afternoon or overnight throughout Costa Rica, but it is still smart to be prepared for all types of weather.

FutureVets Tuition includes all program costs, international airfare, accommodations, local in-country transportation, and meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

You may want to bring pocket money for your own personal expenses, shopping, personal care items, etc. ($250-$300 should be more than adequate). Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Costa Rica, followed by American Express, and Discover Card is rarely accepted.  You should be sure to plan with your parents. International transaction fees vary and alert them of the student’s international travel plans beforehand to avoid security holds.

Costa Rica’s currency is the Colón. Currently, 1000 Costa Rican Colónes equal about 1.75 USD. U.S. bank ATM cards can also be used in Costa Rica to obtain Colónes and U.S. dollars, and U.S. dollars are accepted at many vendors in Costa Rica.

Check with your bank about foreign ATM transaction and conversion fees. To avoid additional fees, students may bring U.S. dollars that can be used at some vendors or can be exchanged for the local currency, which the FutureVets Team can facilitate on-site for students.