Did you know that Spanish the second most-spoken language by native speakers in the world? The best way to improve your skills is to be immersed in the language and culture on a daily basis.  Did you also know that Costa Rica is biological haven?   Come spend your summer in Costa Rica where you can learn about the language and culture or about the  ecosystems that make Costa Rica so intriguing, or do both!

 

Dates:

Whole Program: May 14th-July 2nd, 2011 (tentative)

Tropical Ecosystems: May 14- June 2, 2011 (tentative)
Language and Culture: June 5 - July 2, 2011 (tentative)

Final Dates are determined in February.

 

Tropical Ecosystems

Our Costa Rica adventure will start with four days at one of the premier facilities for rainforest research in the world: La Selva Biological Station. La Selva is located in the Caribbean lowlands and is home to over 1500 species of plants and 400 species of birds. Students will hike through the lush rainforest trails filled with wildlife to learn about this rapidly disappearing ecosystem. We will also do a couple of day-trips to explore the Puerto Viejo River, the wildlife it supports, and the Chiquita banana plantations in the Caribbean lowlands.

We will continue our journey with a four-night stay at Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve on the Pacific Coast where we'll have the opportunity to see and learn about the biological diversity living in intertidal and reef marine habitats. We will venture into the coastal forest filled with swinging vines to learn about the plants and animals that make their home in this tropical paradise and then get refreshed in a series of climbable waterfalls. We will also learn how the world renowned National Park System in Costa Rica started in Cabo Blanco. You will also get up close and personal with the beautiful inhabitants of this coastal ecosystem when you conduct research projects led by the faculty.

After Cabo Blanco, students will have the opportunity to travel independently for four days, three nights. There are numerous possibilities available to you including canopy tours, rafting, national parks, beaches, and museums.

Our final destination is at the foot of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, at San Luis Research Station--a biological research station run by the University of Georgia. During your six days in San Luis, you will participate in academic activities throughout the day either while hiking on one of the many rugged trails on the property or listening to a lecture and participating in a discussion in the open-air classroom. You will also have the opportunity to spend time with members of the local community in the surrounding agricultural town of San Luis through planned service projects and spontaneous games of soccer or volleyball. The group will also spend full days in Monteverde exploring the Cloud Forest and visiting other tourist destinations. The course will conclude with three days devoted to independent research projects where you'll have the opportunity to ask and investigate your own question, and present your findings to the community.

Language and Culture

Come spend four weeks studying in the colonial town of San Joaquin de Flores where you will live with a host family and study at a local institute. Costa Rica ranked as the world's happiest country in 2010!  It is known for its hospitality and natural beauty so whether you are a Spanish major or minor or just looking to improve your language skills, this program will help you to learn Spanish in a much more engaging way than a traditional classroom.

Each component of the curriculum will involve a number of excursions outside of San Joaquin. We will explore both small and large towns in the Central Valley, visit a coffee plantation and a volcano, and learn to salsa dance, among other adventures!

You will also have the opportunity to travel independently on two separate weekends to a variety of sites across the country: you can relax on the beach, hike to a waterfall, go white water rafting, or even walk along bridges above the rain forest. The excitement awaits you!

 

Costs*

Whole Program: $6,000

For detailed information on additional costs and expenses please click here.

Tropical Ecosystems Half : Program Costs: $3,100 (includes room, board, tuition, and program excursions in

For detailed information on additional costs and expenses please click here.

Language and Culture Half : Program Costs: $3,550 (includes room, board, meals, tuition, and program excursions).

For detailed information on additional costs and expenses please click here.

*These estimates are based on a conservative exchange rate so that we, ideally, will not have to ask for more money.  Should the exchange rate shift significantly, we may adjust this price downward after final program arrangements are solidified. Our job is to monitor, yours to hope!

Additional Costs: Round trip airfare ($800), passport ($125), and miscellaneous spending ($400-600)

 

Course Offerings for the Tropical Ecosystems Portion

BIO 215: Tropical Ecosystems

An interdisciplinary field biology course with focus on tropical ecosystems, natural history, and conversation.  The ecological complexity of the tropics, the patterns of species diversity, and the types of species interactions that characterize these systems are discussed, as well as how these ecological processes are affected by human activities. The approach is experiential, with emphasis on developing scientific skills of observation, analysis, and critical thinking, and applying them to field research. 4 Credit hours. Fulfills Natural Science Elective/Science in Society OR the Cultural Elective/Perspectives for General Education.

Prerequisite: Participants must have completed a lab science.

 

Course Offerings from the Language and Culture Portion

Students will receive a total of 5 credit hours for courses they complete during this portion of the program. All students will register for one credit hour of Spanish 300, one credit of either Spanish 350 or FL 943 and three credits of either SPA 206 (Intermediate Spanish II) or SPA 307 (Advanced Conversation).

 

SPA 206: Intermediate Spanish II
Spanish 206 is the second level of intermediate Spanish and focuses on building upon the speaking, listening, writing, and cultural skills learned in beginning level classes. The course in Costa Rica will cover language topics covered at Meredith, while taking advantage of the local environment in San Joaquin. Spanish 206 counts towards the completion of both the Spanish major and minor. 4 Credits received. Taught by faculty from local institute.

Prerequisites: Spa 205 or equivalent.

SPA 307: Advanced Conversation

This course is designed to help students improve oral communication in Spanish. Discussion will include a variety of topics with a focus on issues relevant to the US and Latin America. Students will be evaluated through class participation and oral presentations. Spanish 307 counts toward the completion of both the Spanish major and minor. Taught by faculty from local institute.

Prerequisites: SPA 206 or equivalent.

 

SPA 300 Life and Study Abroad

All students will earn one credit for four weeks of intensive study and home stay with a Costa Rican family.

Pass/Fail grading only.

SPA 350 or FL 943:

This seminar will focus on the culture of Costa Rica and involve in-depth readings, reflections, excursions, service learning and journal writing. Throughout the program students will help teach English at a local elementary school or organize activities at a home for the elderly. The service experience will enhance each student's understanding of Tico culture, while also giving them an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue in Spanish with the local population.

 

Note: Those at the 300-level will be required to complete all assignments in Spanish, while students at the 200 level will have the option of writing in Spanish or English. Pass/Fail grading may be elected by the non-major.

 

Successful completion of either half of the program will satisfy the Global Perspective or CORE 200 requirement.

Eligibility:

Students must be in good academic standing (2.0 minimum GPA)

Deadline for Applications: February 1, 2011

Faculty:

Callie K. Debellis-Department of Foreign Languages

Dr. Erin Lindquist-Department of Biological Sciences

 

For More Information Contact:

The Office of International Programs

124 Joyner

919-760-2307