Office of Undergraduate International Programs
January 2012: Highlighted Program
HMS387: Culture and Language in Costa Rica
Program Overview: The Fall semester will be spent discussing important themes in Costa Rican history and contemporary culture while simultaneously building communicative and cross-cultural communication proficiencies. Individual and group goal setting, fundraising, and team-building activities will also be a part of the course. Led by two Endicott faculty, the in-country portion of the project will begin at the Conversa Linguistic Center in Santa Ana, Costa Rica with an intensive Spanish language immersion program designed to allow student to acquire or improve their Spanish language communicative proficiency in a short period of time. Prior to arrival in Costa Rica, students will select a community service site based on their interests and/or academic disciplines. During the first week students will visit their selected community services sites each afternoon. These include the Centro de Conservación (Natural Conservation Center), CENCINAI (Day Care Center), Centro Diurno de Ancianos (Elderly Care and "Play" Center), a needy public school, and the Red Cross and Fire Departments. On weekends students will travel to an eco-tourism site and to a beach resort for a final retreat where they will evaluate and reflect upon their experience.
Students will be staying with Host Families while in Costa Rica. These host families work closely with the Conversa staff to make sure they are safe, well equipped and prepared to accept international students into their homes. Meals are provided in the host family (breakfast and some dinners). Many students comment that the experience within the host family is one of the best aspects of this course, regardless of their Spanish language level.
Course Credit and Requirements: The course is titled, HMS387: Culture and Community Service in Costa Rica. You should enroll in this class during your Spring 2012 Pre-Registration process. In the past, this course has counted towards Arts and Humanities credit, as well as a 100 and 200 level internship. Please speak with your advisor and internship coordinator to see what you can do to make this count towards your academic requirements. In addition to full participation in class meetings, fundraising, the service project abroad, requirements include, but are not limited to, reading assigned articles and short books, keeping a journal, making oral presentations, and completing a final paper.
Eligibility: Current Endicott students of all majors and class years are encouraged to apply. 2.5 GPA requirement. The student must not have a pending disciplinary record.
Costs: The program fee in January 2012 was $2,500. This is subject to change for the January 2013 program. The program fee includes tuition, airfare, housing, and most meals in Costa Rica, all transportation expenses within Costa Rica. Students should bring an additional $400 for personal expenses. A $300 deposit will be due upon acceptance to the program. The remainder of the fees will be due in two equal installments during the Fall 2012 semester.
Application Requirements: DUE April 21, 2012
- Register for the HMS387 Culture and Community Service in Costa Rica course in the Fall 2012 Course of Study
- Online Application Form: www.endicott.edu/studyabroadapplication
- Short Essay: On a separate sheet, please discuss your reasons for wanting to participate in this program. Please include your academic and personal goals, interests in your country of destination and community service and preparedness for this experience. Please make this essay 500 words or less.
- Printed copy of Academic Record from Coast
- One Endicott College Faculty Reference Form (available on our Procedures page).
- Signed Application Forms (available on our Procedures page).
- Photocopy of passport: Student MUST apply for passport if they do not have one or renew an expired passport immediately. It is recommended that your passport is valid up to six months past the completion of your program.