Alternative Spring Break: Costa Rica
March 19 - 26, 2010
Program Information
Location
Monteverde is a small town in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Due to its vast stretches of protected cloud forest, the Monteverde region of Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse spots on the planet. Besides its protected biological treasures, Monteverde is a peaceful, beautiful agrarian community steeped in ecological tourism. It is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.
Course Goals: Political Science 3960
Central to International Development, Community Empowerment and Social Change is the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of community-based efforts in international development, especially in rural areas in lesser-developed nations of the Global South. The course will introduce students to community, cooperative and family based organizations; all of which promote social justice, increased health benefits for people and the environment and access to appropriate and relevant education for all. Students will learn about and be exposed to issues including, but not limited to, education, environment, social justice, and health. Students will have firsthand experiences and will learn from situations and topics that highlight the role of women in development, fair trade agriculture, tourism and sustainable development, conservation biology, and cooperative management.
Credit
Undergraduate students will earn one undergraduate credit. Poly Sci 3960 meets the international requirement necessary to graduate. The course is in the process of receiving approval for service-learning designations. This course may be taken for a grade or credit/no credit. Credit will be transcripted as University of Utah credit. Specific credit is arranged with the program director before departure.
Tentative Itinerary
19 March Arrive San Jose Airport
20 March Monteverde: Conservation Biology
21 March San Luis: Microenterprise
22 March Monteverde: Cooperatives and Fair Trade Agriculture
23 March Canitas: Agro-tourism
24-25March Los Tornos: Community Development
26 March Depart for U.S.
Accommodations
All participants will reside in a comfortable, modest hotel, within walking distance of downtown Santa Elena and tucked away, off of the main road and in a friendly neighborhood. The hotel is owned and operated by a three generation family of women. All meals are included in the program fee and many of these are provided by the hotel. The hotel also offers a laundry service for an additional fee.
Getting to Costa Rica
A group flight to Costa Rica will be arranged for program participants.
Program Director
Gina Russo lived and worked in the Monteverde Region of Costa Rica for eleven years (1998-2009) before joining the Bennion Center. Gina was the Costa Rican Country Director for a non-profit/non-governmental international development and humanitarian organization based in the USA. She has an MA in International Development with emphases in Education, Agriculture and Environmental Studies: her undergraduate degree is a double major in Spanish/Latin American Area Studies and International Relations. Gina has lived and worked in over twenty-five countries, including Macedonia on a USAID sub-contract on a three generation family farm, assisting in the adoption of organic methods of production and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as an alternative marketing strategy.
Pre-departure Orientation
Mandatory pre-departure orientation meetings will be held to provide program and cultural information. Participants will be contacted with the dates and times when this is arranged. At these meetings you will receive course information, travel details, meet others in the group, and discuss required pre-departure readings.
Program Cost
Under $2000.
Includes: Airfare, tuition, room and board, international health insurance and local transportation.
Does Not Include: Passport, personal expenses, books and independent travel.
Although not anticipated, the program price may change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.
Scholarships
The Student Fee Scholarship is available for matriculated University of Utah students through the Study Abroad Office. The scholarship application deadline is 20 November 2009. Download the application here or go to the Study Abroad Office (159 Union) for more information.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- University of Utah Student
- This program is limited to 25 participants
Application Deadline
1 December 2009
Note: Late applications will be accepted with an additional nonrefundable $50 fee for 30 days after the initial deadline, or until the program is full.
Application Process
Applications are available here, in the Bennion Center and the Study Abroad Office (Union Building, Room 159).
The application and $500 initial program payment should be presented to the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building. The cashier will issue a receipt and stamp your application “Paid.” Return the application materials to the Study Abroad Office. All applications will be reviewed by the program director and Study Abroad Office staff to determine eligibility. Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance into the program. Non U of U applicants should submit their initial program payment directly to the Study Abroad Office.
Additional pre-departure materials will be emailed to all accepted participants.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
$300 plus any unrecoverable costs to the Study Abroad Office at the time of withdrawal are non-refundable. To withdraw, the applicant must formally file a Withdrawal Form with the Study Abroad Office. If an applicant is determined ineligible to participate, the $500 deposit will be refunded in full.
Contact Us
Study Abroad Advisor |
Program Director |
