Summer Education Abroad
Puerto Rico biology
Puerto Rico
4 credits in Biology
July 27-Aug. 10, 2009
Dr. Robert Fisher and Professor Rosita Cruz
$1,995 plus airfare and applicable tuition
Registration deadline: April 10, 2009
Status: Program full
The Department of Biology in VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences and the Office of International Education are pleased to offer a unique opportunity in ecological studies in picturesque Puerto Rico. In this traveling program, participants will have the opportunity to experience the vast diversity of Puerto Rico’s ecological makeup and, through cultural excursions, will see how a country’s landscape shapes its people.
Course and credit options: 4 VCU credits
BIOL 391 Ecosystems, Cultures and Languages in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean
Please note: This course is open to all majors.
Course description
Students will work within the contrasting ecosystems of coral beaches, rainforests, subtropical moist forests and the tropical dry forests. The program will utilize the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Site, the Mata de Platano Field Station and Nature Reserve, and the UN Biosphere Reserve at Guanica.
The program is led by Robert Fisher, associate professor of biology at VCU, past president of the Virginia Academy of Science and co-director of the Virginia Science Resource Network. Dr. Fisher has extensive experience in Puerto Rico with educational outreach projects. The program is co-directed by Rosita Cruz of the VCU School of World Studies, where she is an instructor of Spanish. Professor Cruz also directs the VCU Education Abroad Spanish program to Guatemala.
Registration deadline: April 10, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full. We only take eight to 10 students, so register early.
Program cost
$1,995 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $1,995 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $200)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Puerto Rico. Dr. Fisher will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares you should purchase your ticket as soon as possible after recommendation by Dr. Fisher. The group must travel to Puerto Rico on the same flight for logistical reasons.
Eligibility
Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to participate in this program. All majors are welcome.
While in Puerto Rico
Field trips include viewing the world’s largest radio telescope in Arecibo, visiting caves in the Rio Camuy Cave Park, touring the house of the artist Ne. Participants will assist in the bat research caves and tour a variety of topographies including tropical research gardens, a tropical dry forest, a beautiful isolated mangrove island and the ancient salt flats of Cabo Rojo. In addition, the group will have access to beautiful beaches and a rare bioluminescent lagoon for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Participants also will enjoy a family night with a wonderful Puerto Rican family, visit an Indian ceremonial park, hike to the top of the rain forest, swim in La Mina Falls, bike on the mangrove trails of Piñones and salsa dance at the Rumba Club in old San Juan.
Participants stay at a variety of sites including bat and rain forest research facilities, two university campuses, and a beautiful old hotel in Ponce. Meals have been designed to allow participants to experience traditional Puerto Rican cuisine from each area of the island.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $208.55 (per 3 credit class: $619.05); undergraduate out-of-state, $421.20 (per 3 credit class: $1,257); graduate in-state, $428.68 (per 3 credit class: $1,279.44); graduate out-of-state, $543.90 ($1,625.10 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
