STUDY ABROAD
INFORMATIONAL SESSION
ELEMENTARY SPANISH I - SPN1120
PROF. WENDY MENDEZ-HASSELMAN
Travel Dates: March 1-9,2014
WHY JOIN US IN COSTA RICA?
A great opportunity to make connections between content in Spanish 1120 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.

Course work will be covered in 12 weeks
Feb. 3 – May 7, 2014

On campus once a week, Wed. 4-5:45 p.m.

Online, 12 weeks of assignments

9 days in Costa Rica, March 1-9, 2014
TRIP OUTLINE

9 days in Costa Rica

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

Free Afternoon, Service Learning, or
planned field visit (TBD)
DAY 8:

‘Pura Vida Day’ (Free day)
Several options on activities –
beach, canopy tour (zip-lining),
coffee plantation tour and
more.
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‐ISSUE YOUR TICKETS. THE COLLEGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF YOUR NAME ON THE STUDY ABROAD
APPLICATION.
2. PASSPORT:
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: __$1400____ P/P
3. PBSC ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: _____ P/P
4. FLIGHT RATE: $500__ P/P
5. G-K INSURANCE: $37
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
-1ST PAYMENT FOR INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $500
IS DUE 12/1/2013.
-2ND PAYMENT OF $400 IS DUE 12/15/2013.
-3RD PAYMENT OF $500 IS DUE 1/15/2014.
-4TH AND FINAL PAYMENT OF $500 IS DUE
2/1/2014.

QUESTIONS?