Building on Whitworth University's 30-plus years of experience
leading study programs in Central America, the Costa Rica Center is initially offering courses that meet general education requirements, including Spanish language at various levels; Latin American history, politics or theology; ecology or environmental science; and Core 350 -- the capstone course in Whitworth's worldview studies program, in which students explore how biblical virtues such as justice, mercy and equity are reflected in the ethics and politics of contemporary Western culture.

The center is also being used for special Jan Term programs offered to freshmen students admitted with honors, as a home base for the Costa Rica portion of the Central America Study Program, and for other major-specific programs.