Study Spanish in Costa Rica

¿Qué vas a hacer durante las vacaciones?

Are you looking for. . .
. . .an opportunity to travel abroad without having to “go it alone”?
. . .the chance to use your Spanish in real-life situations?
. . .the cultural experience of a lifetime?
. . .a way to learn Spanish in small, individualized classes (3-5 students)?
. . .a fun and engaging way to finish your foreign language requirement?
. . .a great way to earn three credits during the Winter intersession?

Then you need to travel with this faculty-led program, study Spanish in San José, Costa Rica, live with a Costa Rican family, and earn UMSL Spanish credit (Span 2101, 2171, or 3271 depending on level).

This experience has been designed for those intermediate students wishing to complete their Foreign Language Requirement while simultaneously immersing themselves in Costa Rican culture. The Program Coordinator, Kimberley Sallee, will be available at all times to assist each student in making this experience all that it can be.

Dates:
December 30, 2007 - January 11, 2008

Location:
San José, Costa Rica

Costs:
Instructional Fees for 3 credits: $742.80*
Program Fees: $1,400.00
Total: $2,142.80

Program fee includes includes round-trip airfare, housing, 2 meals per day (breakfast & dinner), laundry, health insurance, four hours/day of Spanish instruction, and two excursions (including transportation and lodging).

*Students wishing to participate with a non-credit option would pay a $300 non-credit fee in lieu of Instructional fees noted above.

*Students earning credit for the Service Learning project will be assessed an additional $247.60 in Instructional Fees and will earn a total of 4 credits.

Students will need to budget appropriately for personal expenses, such as lunch daily, optional activities, souvenirs, nightlife, etc.

Courses:
Students will be enrolled in language courses developed and administered through the Costa Rican Language School. Classes meet Mondays – Thursdays from 8:00am-2:00pm, with a break for lunch. Additional conversation, cooking and dancing classes are offered, free of charge, in the afternoons. Class size is limited to 5 students and courses are tailored to students’ needs and abilities.

Students will earn credit for Spanish 2101, 2171, or 3271, depending on their level.

Housing:
Housing is arranged through the school with Costa Rican homestay families in the area, and the room and board costs are included in the program fees. Students will have their own rooms and the families will provide breakfast and dinner each day, as well as laundry services. Students will be asked to submit a housing form on which they state living preferences that will be matched, to the best of the school’s ability, to families available.

Excursions:
Two excursions are planned during the program.

Travel:
Participants will travel as a group to San Jose on or about December 30 and will return to San Louis on or about January 11. Airfare is included in the program fees.

Service Learning:
Students will have the option of participating in a one-credit Service Learning experience which will require preparation before departure and reflection upon our return to St Louis. In Costa Rica, students will participate in an approved service learning activity that will. . .

allow them to practice and further develop their oral proficiency in Spanish,
encourage group work to draw on the strengths of each individual and his/her own background and preparation at the University of Missouri – St Louis,
develop a better understanding of the complexities and richness of Costa Rican culture,
permit them to engage in meaningful, one-on-one interactions with Costa Ricans, in Spanish, and
leave behind a lasting tool and/or positive imprint on the organization served.

Mandatory Orientation:
The Office of Study Abroad will coordinate an orientation session that must be attended by all program participants. Additionally, one group meeting/orientation, organized by the Program Coordinator, will be required. Dates will be announced for both events in the Fall.

Application:
Applications are due October 5 along with a $250 non-refundable deposit, which will be applied to the Program Fees. Applications may be obtained at the Study Abroad Office in 261 MSC, from the Program Coordinator, or online (see below). Deposit and program fee payments must be made by check payable to UMSL. Payment for deposit must be made at Study Abroad Office, 261 MSC. Once accepted, an $800 payment toward program fees is due by Oct. 19 and the balance is due November 30.

Application Materials:
1. UMSL Study Abroad Application Form
2. Non-refundable $250 deposit (due at time of application - check payable to UMSL, credit cards not accepted )
3 . Transcript (please turn in request form to Office of Records, 351 MSC.)
4 . Scholarship application and scholarship essay (UMSL students only - must be taking class for credit)

Payment Schedule:*
October 5: $250 non-refundable deposit due (will only be refunded if not accepted in program)
October 19: $800 payment due
November 30: Remaining balance due ($350)

*All payments are non-refundable if student withdraws from program.

For more information, please contact:

Program Coordinator
Kimberley Sallee, Associate Teaching Professor of Spanish
University of Missouri–St Louis
Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures
550 Clark Hall
314-516-6865

Study Abroad Office
Carol Cradock
Center for International Studies
261 Millennium Student Center
314-516-6983