|
|
COST INFORMATION: The cost of each our seven week program illustrated below is $3500 per student. This includes all program fees, lodging, local transportation and any other expenses related to adventure excursions. SDPUS can create programs of varying lengths, the seven week study abroad program described below, is one of our most popular for visiting students. Commonly SDPUS hosts entire university classes, who visit for pre-programmed projects, for as short as 7 days duration. Some visiting students enroll in a SDPUS program for 15 weeks, their entire academic semester in Costa Rica! Now that's Pura Vida! WHAT IS INCLUDED? RESIDENT DIRECTOR: Peter Fiorentino, Ed.D.- Administration Peter Fiorentino is responsible for the SDPUS Office Abroad & the overall operation of SDPUS programs in Costa Rica: * securing appropriate students housing * hiring outstanding international faculty * organizing exciting tours and field trips * overseeing the students' well being
WHAT KIND OF TOURS DOES SDPUS
OFFER?
Each SDPUS study abroad tour is designed to show you the best
Costa Rica has to offer. You will do more in seven weeks than most
people will do in a lifetime. You will have opportunities to do
many activities, such as:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CUSTOM DESIGNED
EXPERIENCE ACADEMIC PROGRAM: Students study in an intensive, small-class, immersion environment. Classes integrate social issues and are offered in an experiential setting. Language classes are offered at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. We provide multiple options for students to combine courses from each of the following subject areas:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE COSTA RICAN K-12 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Upon arrival in Costa Rica, visiting teachers will spend one week observing students and teachers at the Country Day School (private school), which is a current site for SDPUS's Student Teach Abroad Program. Visiting students will also observe a public school in the area (Villareal). ACADEMIC PROGRAM: In addition to their observations, participants will have the opportunity to explore some of Costa Rica's greatest attractions: such as excursions to Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde Cloud & Rainforest. Excursions will be custom designed by SDPUS's travel staff, who also will be accompanying the students and act as their residential guides in Costa Rica. Each aspect of the program is carefully planned, to maximize the students' experience. Students will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the people, language and culture of Costa Rica firsthand! Participants can also spend time in language and culture courses in Tamarindo before embarking on the two week journey, visiting various pre-planned destinations throughout Costa Rica. A truly remarkable journey traveling to the best sites that Costa Rica has to offer! At the conclusion of the students visit, they will compose a reflective essay comparing and contrasting their CR School experiences with their own home based (USA/ Canada) schools, while also detailing their thoughts on their Costa Rican experience. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LANGUAGE & CULTURAL HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE The academic courses that we offer are only a part of the intended value of studying abroad. Students also have the cost saving option to participate in homestays with local families. They will get opportunities to travel on field trips to unique research and tourist sites, on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides. The rain forests and the volcanoes are just the beginning of what Costa Rica offers. Visiting students will also experience folkloric events and village festivals, which always form an integral part of the academic program. SPANISH LESSONS/ HOMESTAYS WITH HOST FAMILIES: Make Spanish lessons part of your SDPUS Study Abroad Program. Enroll in this program and take part in incredible Spanish Language and Salsa Dance courses. During this time you will have the option to stay with a local Costa Rican family (homestay). This is an incredible way to help enhance your experience, & totally immerse yourself, in the Costa Rican culture. LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS: Students will be housed in the Tamarindo area with a Tico Host Family, who reside in Costa Rica. Students will also be housed in high quality hotels during field excursions. COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED “A steadfast cornerstone of the adventure-eco tourism-education” “A completely new and amazing experience” “Challenging and fulfilling—essentials for growth” “A good way to learn about another country and learn new skills” “It was great to have such a different experience …it sets me apart” WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS DO WE OFFER? SDPUS Volunteer Projects combine hands-on experience in conservation and social and community development, which are designed to broaden awareness of visiting students, on both the local and international levels.
UPCOMING 2011 PROJECTS INCLUDE:
* Whale and dolphin research
2010 SDPUS ACHIEVEMENTS IN COSTA RICA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT MAKES THE SDPUS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM DIFFERENT? Unlike most academic programs who make their home base in San Jose, SDPUS differs by being the only academically qualified program that centers their activities from a world class beach area. Our accommodations in the beach areas are more upscale and provide all the beauty of CR beaches for all visiting students, most everyday while in Costa Rica. We use Playa Tamarindo as our home base, coordinating all visits from Tamarindo to our partnering universities research stations--such as in places like Liberia, Monteverde, San Jose, Arenal, Manual Antonio and the Osa Peninsula. Doesn't it just make good sense to stay in the beautiful beaches and then visit our research stations elsewhere? This is just the opposite of how most other study abroad programs work in Costa Rica...most use San Jose as their base and then take short trips to the beach?
FOR HOW MANY WEEKS, AND WHAT IS THE TYPICAL COST ASSOCIATED WITH SDPUS'S PROGRAM IN TAMARINDO, COSTA RICA? Our most popular CR program lasts 7 weeks at a cost of $3500 per student, and this includes all student accommodations and travel. But many students visit for as short a duration as just one week for a volunteer program. Some others visit for an entire academic semester, which is often necessary to gain enough academic contact hours to satisfy their home universities requirements (15 weeks).
WHEN DOES SDPUS OFFER ITS PROGRAMMING IN COSTA RICA? New programs begin every Monday during each week, from December through August annually. Please be sure to register early during the typical USA holiday breaks, because during those weeks we tend to book very early. So availability may be limited during those sessions.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO RECEIVE ACADEMIC CREDIT? For those who wish to obtain academic credit by attending one of our programs, please be sure to have one of our qualified professors contact your home institutions academic advisor. Together they can collaborate to create a specific student tailored program, to ensure your home universities academic needs & requirements are met.
|
APPLICATION FORMS: VOLUNTEER APPLICATION CONTRACT AGREEMENT INTERN APPLICATION INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS
|
|
NORTH
AMERICA
CENTRAL
AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA
