STUDY ABROAD INFORMATIONAL SESSION

ELEMENTARY SPANISH 2 - SPN1121

PROF. WENDY MENDEZ-HASSELMAN

Travel Dates: March 7-15, 2015

WHY JOIN US IN COSTA RICA?

A great opportunity to make connections between content in Spanish 1121 material and real-life examples and experiences in an interactive and communicative approach. You will be able to:  Apply what you’re learning in class to the real world  Experience geographical and physical contact with the Spanish language and culture  Explore connections and comparisons in terms of culture, community, products and practices  Immerse yourself in a culture different than your own and gain global awareness  Practice speaking Spanish!!!

COURSE OUTLINE

 This is a hybrid course with a study abroad component.  On campus once a week, Wed. 4-5:45 p.m.

 Online, 12 weeks of assignments

TRIP OUTLINE

         The capital city of San Jose The Poas Volcano and National Park Indigenous Community The Costa Rica Entomological Supply (CRES) The Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation (CRHF) Classroom instruction at the University for Peace Language instruction and lectures from a PBSC professor Host family accommodations “Pura Vida Day”

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN COSTA RICA

GROUP WILL BE PICKED UP AT THE SAN JOSE AIRPORT AND TRANSFERRED TO HOST FAMILIES’ HOMES

DAY 2:

Morning



Poás Volcano and National Park

This visit will help students understand Costa Rica’s eco-tourism efforts. Poás is one of the most visited volcanoes in Costa Rica, because of the luxuriant forest that surrounds the craters. The visit will include a short hike in the cloud forest.

Afternoon



Visit Downtown San José

Most of our time in Costa Rica will be spent outside of urban areas. The capital city of San Jose is the economic, cultural and political heart of the country.

DAY 3:

Morning



UN-mandated University for Peace

 Welcome to UPEACE and overview of week  Teambuilding and Leadership activities  Overview of Costa Rica  Campus tour and hike to peace monument

Afternoon



PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

DAY 4:

Morning



PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon



Visit to an Indigenous Community

The small Huetar group is located at the top of the Indigenous Reserve of Quitirrisí. Their main economic activity is the crafts with vegetal palm, and other fibers.

They are experts in the preparation of vegetal colorants for the fiber dye.

DAY 5:

Morning



PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon



The Costa Rica Entomological Supply (CRES)

was the first commercial butterfly farm in Latin America. It operates as a small socially responsible business. Participants would see the butterfly farm before meeting with the general manager.

DAY 6:

Morning



PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon



The Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (CRHF)

The CRHF is a non-profit organization committed to developing creative and economical solutions to a wide range of social problems in Costa Rica. Students will have an opportunity to hear about the history of the community and participate in a service-learning project.

DAY 7:

Morning



PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon



Field visit to Espiritu Santo Coffee Tour.

Located in Naranjo, this large coffee plantation offers the opportunity to learn about the tradition of coffee production in Costa Rica. As a business they are Rainforest Alliance and Utz Certified for good practices.



http://www.espiritusantocoffeetour.com

DAY 8:  ‘Pura Vida Day’ (Free day) Trip to the beach! Fun in the sun, plus time to explore the shops and restaurants in the beach town of Jaco. Lunch not included.

DAY 9:

 Departure Day: Departure

from San Jose Int’l Airport

 Application/Passport information 1. FILL OUT AN APPLICATION: YOUR NAME ON THE STUDENT APPLICATION MUST COMPLETELY MATCH THE NAME AS IT IS OR WILL BE ON YOUR PASSPORT, INCLUDING YOUR MIDDLE NAME. WE GIVE THE NAME THAT YOU ENTER ON YOUR APPLICATION TO THE TRAVEL PROVIDER FOR TICKET ISSUANCE. IF THE NAME YOU PROVIDE TO US DOES NOT EXACTLY MATCH THE NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT, YOU MAY BE DENIED BOARDING YOUR FLIGHT, OR THE AIRLINE COULD CHARGE YOU A LARGE FEE TO RE

APPLICATION.

2. PASSPORT: ‐ ISSUE YOUR TICKETS. THE COLLEGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR

ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF YOUR NAME ON THE STUDY ABROAD

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A PASSPORT, INCLUDE A COPY OF THE ID PAGE WITH YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PASSPORT, IT CAN TAKE UP TO 12 WEEKS TO GET ONE. PLAN ACCORDINGLY!!

 Program Information 1. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION AND ALL OTHER SUBSEQUENT FORMS YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY ALL PROGRAM RULES AND TO YOUR DEPOSITS FOR THE TRIP MUST BE SUBMITTED ACCORDING TO THE TIMELINES OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL SA PROGRAM. 2. THE IEC DIRECTOR AND/OR FACULTY/STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM.

3. THE COST OF ALL SA PROGRAMS IS BASED ON MULTI-OCCUPANCY. ALSO, DUE TO THE FLUCTUATION IN FOREIGN CURRENCY, FINAL PROGRAM COSTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 30 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE. PARTICIPANTS ARE LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS ABOVE THE ADVERTISED RATES 4. ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION.

5. MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL SA TRIPS WITH PBSC. THE COLLEGE HAS SECURED A VERY REASONABLE INSURANCE PLAN WITH GALLAGHER-KOSTER THAT WILL COVER YOU FOR YOUR TRIP. THE COST IS $37 FOR MOST STUDENTS DEPENDING ON AGE. THIS INSURANCE IS MANDATORY UNLESS YOU CAN OTHERWISE PROVE COVERAGE THROUGH YOUR OWN.

 Forms to Fill Out (Applications and Risk Management ((RM)) Forms) 1. APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION (DUE???) 2. CONSENT TO RELEASE CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT RECORD INFORMATION 3. STUDENT INFORMATION AND PASSPORT FORM (RM) 4. EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION (RM) 5. PHYSICIAN STATEMENT (RM) 6. PERMISSION FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT (RM) 7. RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (RELEASES COLLEGE OF ALL LEGAL LIABILITIES, PLEASE READ CLOSELY) (RM) 8. PHOTO/AUDIO/TEXT/VIDEO RELEASE 9. DRUG, ALCOHOL, DISCIPLINE POLICY (ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOUND IN THE PBSC STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT HANDBOOK PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE STUDYING ABROAD) 10. FERPA FORM

 Travel Requirements for Costa Rica 1. FOR ENTRY INTO COSTA RICA, YOU MUST PRESENT BOTH A VALID PASSPORT AND EITHER A ROUND-TRIP TICKET OR PROOF OF ONWARD TRAVEL TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

2. COSTA RICAN IMMIGRATION NOW ALSO REQUIRES THAT YOU BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF AT LEAST $100 PER MONTH WHILE YOU ARE IN COSTA RICA AS A TOURIST. WHEN YOU LEAVE COSTA RICA, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A DEPARTURE TAX OF $29 USD.

 Program Costs 1

.

TUITION FOR COURSE: RESIDENT $428 NON-RESIDENT $1467 2. PROGRAM COST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS, SOME MEALS, SIDE TRIPS, RELATED ITINERARY, AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION COSTS: __$1500____ P/P 3. PBSC ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: __TBD___ P/P 4. FLIGHT RATE: $500-$600__ P/P 5. G-K INSURANCE: STARTING AT $37, IT INCREASES BY AGE GROUP 6. COSTA RICA AIRPORT TAX: $29 P/P 7. INCIDENTALS (FOR MEALS NOT COVERED, SOUVENIRS, TIPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING FREE TIME, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COSTS): TBD BY STUDENT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

TOTAL: ____________________

 PROGRAMS COSTS- SCHEDULE -ON OCTOBER 1 ST , 2014, $500 IS DUE -ON NOVEMBER 1 ST , 2014, $500 IS DUE -ON DECEMBER 1 ST , 2014, $495 IS DUE -ON DECEMBER 15 TH , 2014, $600 IS DUE -ON JANUARY 15 TH , 2015 FINAL PAYMENT FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE IS DUE (THIS VARIES ACCORDING TO AGE GROUP)

 QUESTIONS?