COSTA RICA Explore the uniqueness of Costa Rica’s natural and cultural environment in this three week, two-course program focusing on the sociology and geology of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is famous for its national parks, habitat conservation efforts and social programs. Geologically it bridges the continents of North and South America. It has the highest literacy rate of any Central American country and a tourism industry that capitalizes on ecological diversity and active volcanoes. In the paired courses, Contemporary Social Problems and Environmental Geology, we will investigate the interplay between people and the geologic environment that makes Costa Rica such a unique and beautiful country. We will explore the active Poas and Arenal volcanoes; experience the hydrologic cycle by rafting the Pecuare River and exploring crocodile-infested wetlands. We will also investigate some of Costa Rica’s amazing social success stories, such as the transformation of the small town of Tortuguero from a turtle egg poaching economy to one based on conservation. Come explore with us! You will have a wonderful, adventurous experience while earning 6 credits! PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Half-day San Jose City tour, including entrance to Jade Museum Visit to Poas Volcano National Park Hike to Cerro Chato Visit to Arenal Volcano National Park Visit to Rincon de la Vieja (including optional canopy zip line, hot springs, mud baths, horseback riding) Organized Pacific Dry Forest hike Visit to Geothermal Plant Morning tour of Crocodile Safari and Birding in Tarcoles Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park Hike in Cerro de la Muerte Visit to Cartago town Visit to Turrialba National Park Pacuare water rafting excursion Organized snorkeling tour and visit to Cahuita National Park PROGRAM DIRECTORS Dr. Dinklage (or Bill) loves volcanoes, rivers, the ocean, renewable energy, Costa Rican food, and many other wonders of our natural and human environment. He has conducted geology field work in Tibet, far eastern Russia, Crete, Mexico, and Alaska. Originally from Vermont, Bill received his BA in physics from Carleton College, in Minnesota, and his Ph.D. in geology from UCSB, with an emphasis in field-based interactive teaching and engagement with the natural environment. He has been a professor of geology in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at City College for three years. Elizabeth Phillips (or Betsy) works primarily as a bilingual counselor for SBCC's Student Health Department. She will also be teaching a variety of courses this year at SBCC, including Mindfulness, Comparative Sociology, and Introduction to College for International Students. She has a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Utah, and has a BA in Latin America Studies from Carleton College in Minnesota. She has a second BA in Modern Dance, with a focus on African and Caribbean Dance. Course Name Earth Science 115 Sociology 109 Total Units 3 3 6 PROGRAM COST - $4,975 SBCC fees and textbooks Passport fees Any other items not specifically listed APPLICATION PROCEDURE Round-trip airfare, Los Angeles to San Jose, via a regularly scheduled airline, including all taxes and fuel surcharges Deadline for application: May 1, 2016. Apply early since the number of spaces is limited. The program is likely to fill before the deadline. If the program is full before the deadline, acceptance is not guaranteed. Accommodations in three- and four-star hotels, based on double occupancy Application forms are available at the SBCC Study Abroad Office and online at: Most meals Private Round-trip transfers from and to Juan Santamaria International Airport Private guided transportation within Costa Rica for meals, transfers and tours as specified in the itinerary INCLUDED: Professional, bilingual tour manager (provided by Swiss Travel) to accompany group throughout entire stay in Costa Rica Travel Safe Travel Insurance. This insurance policy covers travel delay, missed connection, baggage and personal effects loss, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency medical transportation. Additional optional cancellation insurance available at a nominal cost. All listed activities and excursions as per the program itinerary NOT INCLUDED: COURSES AND CREDITS Ground transportation to and from LAX All units are normally transferable to UC and CSU. Check with your counselor for possible exceptions. Laundry www.sbcc.edu/studyabroad/website An interview with Dr. Dinklage or Elizabeth Phillips will be scheduled upon receipt of your application. If you live outside the Santa Barbara area, you may be interviewed by telephone. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS If you are currently enrolled at another school, you will enroll at SBCC for summer school. Students accepted to this program are required to attend a mandatory pre-departure meeting, which will be held in May 2016. Students must be 18 years on the date of departure. A twenty-student minimum is required or the program is subject to cancellation. INFORMATION MEETINGS You are invited to attend any of the following meetings at Santa Barbara City College. Attendance at a meeting is not required for participation on the program. Parents are welcome to attend. Date Sept. 24 Oct. 26 Dec. 1 Time 2:00 – 3:00 4:00 – 5:00 7:00 – 8:00 Room West Campus Library Conference Room AIR TRANSPORTATION REGISTRATION For further information, please contact… Study Abroad Office Tara Stoker IEC Room #1 (805) 730-4294 testoker@pipeline.sbcc.edu Program Co-Directors Professor Bill Dinklage EBS-111 (805) 730-4114 wsdrinklage@sbcc.edu Professor Elizabeth Phillips (805) 350-8888 epphillips@pipeline.sbcc.edu TRC will provide an optional group flight. You may make your own travel arrangements if you do not wish to travel with the group. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS If you withdraw from the program prior to departure, you must notify the Study Abroad Office and TRC in writing. To withdraw, please e-mail Tara Stoker at SBCC (testoker@pipeline.sbcc.edu) and Jim Froggatt at TRC (jim@tourresource.com). If you have made your own air travel arrangements, your cancellation for your airfare is to be handled directly with the airline making your flight arrangements and is subject to their conditions. HOUSING REGISTERING WITH TOUR RESOURCE CONSULTANTS SBCC has contracted with Tour Resource Consultants (TRC) to provide travel and housing arrangements for the Costa Rica Summer Program. After you are accepted by SBCC to the program, you will register online with Tour Resource Consultants and receive payment, and travel arrangement information from them. You will not be considered on the program until we have received confirmation from TCR that you have registered with them. PROGRAM PAYMENTS A $500 deposit check is required at the time of application. You can make the final program payment online at www.tourresource.com via credit card, debit card or e-check. Please do not send the final payment to the SBCC Study Abroad Office. Students will be housed in three- and four-star hotels (double or triple occupancy) for the duration of the program. TRANSPORTATION TRC will make group flight arrangements. You will receive more information about the group flight after you have been accepted to the program. You are responsible for making your own ground transportation arrangements to and from the airport from which the flight departs in the United States. INSURANCE TravelGuard Travel Insurance covers travel delay, missed connection, baggage and personal effects loss, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency medical transportation. Additional optional cancellation insurance is available at an additional cost. SUGGESTED AMOUNT FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES: Though personal spending habits vary widely, we suggest taking at least $750 $1000 for personal expenses. We will send you registration instructions so that you can register for the program courses online. Please do not try to register for the courses until you have received the registration instructions since the courses are not published in the Summer Schedule of Classes. SBCC FEES SBCC fees are not included in the program cost. California residents pay $46 per unit; nonCalifornia residents and international students pay $312 per unit. You are required to enroll in 6 units. Santa Barbara City College Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING Prior to departure to Costa Rica, you will be required to attend a pre-departure orientation meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for May 2016. At the meeting you will receive travel information including tips about living in Costa Rica, information about your classes, what to pack, money, mail, medical and safety information. Attendance is mandatory. For more information, please visit us online at: www.sbcc.edu/studyabroad/website All statements made in this brochure distributed generally to prospective or accepted participants shall be for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as being contractual for any purpose. Earth Science and Sociology June 27 – July 18, 2016