Costa Rica
Enhance your global competence as a teacher through a three-week cultural immersion experience. Learn Spanish and live in a new culture, all the while developing skills in integrative, globally-focused curriculum design.
Watch this presentation to learn more about the experience and be sure to read our student blogs about their experience or view the photo gallery.
This is a 6-semester-hour course offered at the graduate and undergraduate levels:
- EDN455 International Field Experience (6 hours)
- EDN592 International Field Experience (6 hours)
Information Meetings
- Monday, October 24th
4:00 – 5:00 PM EB 280 - Wednesday, October 26th
12:00 – 1:00 PM EB 280
In this program you will:
- Experience being a Spanish language learner, living in a new culture, learning a new language, learning in a new language, and living in a Spanish-speaking home with Spanish newspapers, radio and TV, thereby, gaining an authentic cultural experience.
- Observe and teach in public schools to practice speaking in Spanish, to teach English as a second language and to compare the curricula, methods of instruction and assessment to US schools.
- Take short cultural classes such as cooking, history of Costa Rica, and dancing (primarily taught in Spanish). Consequently, you will construct a framework for helping students compare their native culture, society, and family with those cultures, societies and families encountered during travel in Costa Rica and future international travel.
- Attend lectures and go on tours in Spanish with English translation. Students will learn the geography of the region, including the biodiversity of the rainforests and the oceans surrounding Costa Rica, transportation modes, and general information on travel within the region.
- Complete two social service learning projects in Costa Rica to better understand poverty conditions and ways that community members work together to support children.
- Attend classroom discussions, keep reflective blogs, and through inquiry and constant interaction with the instructor. You will reflect on your own learning, feelings, and how this translates into understanding of ELLs and the strategies that can be used to effectively support these children in conceptual learning, language proficiency, and literacy development.
- Complete a project of your choosing that requires you to use primary sources in English and Spanish, designate who the audience is, and method of delivery.
Program brochures and applications:
International Field Experience Costa Rica Summer, 2012 - Selection Process
Please complete this study abroad program application no later than Monday, February 6th at 5 PM (note: this deadline has been extended to accept up to 4 more students). Once you have submitted the application to faculty leader Dr. Elizabeth Crawford, she will schedule a brief interview. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early as space will be limited!
Application for Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Accepted participants will be required to submit the appropriate Office of International Programs application materials to Dr. Crawford no later than Monday, February 6th at 5 PM (note: this deadline has been extended to accept up to 4 more students). including the receipt of the non-refundable deposit of $225 (payable by check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard to OIP, 118 Friday Annex).
For more information, contact the program leader:
Dr. Elizabeth Crawford
crawforde@uncw.edu
910-962-2916 phone