Summer Education Abroad
Costa Rica Education: An International Perspective
Costa Rica
3 credits in education
June 18-29, 2009
Dr. Joan Rhodes and Dr. Tammy Milby
$2,550 (including airfare) plus VCU tuition
*Continuing education students may participate in this study abroad program for recertification points.
Registration deadline: April 10, 2009
Status: Program full
The Department of Teaching and Learning and the Office of International Education are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to study literacy from an international perspective in exciting Costa Rica. This program includes cultural excursions and service learning opportunities in a Costa Rican elementary school. Students will enjoy climbing Poas Volcano, riding a zip line through the rainforest at Monteverde National Park and visiting Sarachi Town, the arts and crafts capital of Costa Rica. Participants will also have an opportunity to compare and contrast the multiple geographic and cultural areas in Limon, along the Caribbean coast, in Guanacaste and along the Pacific coast at the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Course and credit options: TEDU 500: Literacy Education: An International Perspective on Reading, Culture and Language
Course description
Located across Costa Rica, this program provides an opportunity to explore literacy education in an international context. Participants will reflect on the impact of globalization, language and culture as they explore the rain forests, volcanoes, beaches and cities of Costa Rica and participate in service learning in a public school. Students will also enhance their use of conversational Spanish as they are immersed in the Costa Rican culture.
The program will be led by Dr. Joan Rhodes, assistant professor of reading education in the VCU Department of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Rhodes currently teaches in the M.Ed in Reading and Early/Elementary Education programs. Her research interests are related to emergent literacy, digital literacy and the use of study skill in digital environments. The program will be co-led by Dr. Tammy Milby, a professor of reading in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Her teaching focuses on reading diagnosis and assessment, content area reading and children’s literature. Research interests include struggling readers and writers, teacher quality, professional development practices and school performance. This is the third time Drs. Milby and Rhodes are leading a VCU study abroad program.
Registration deadline: April 10, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full. Limited space is available for this opportunity. Interested students should submit applications as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed in three cycles until the trip reaches capacity. Preference will be given based upon class standing, GPA in coursework, and related experiences. Reviews will be conducted in early February, end of February and during the month of March. Applications that arrive after each review date will be held until the next review date. Students will be contacted following the review with notification of acceptance.
Program cost
$2,550 plus VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,550 and includes the following:
- Round-trip airfare from Richmond, Va. to San Jose, Costa Rica
- Welcome packet on Costa Rica
- Accommodations
- Breakfast each day, some lunches
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site support
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- 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:
- VCU tuition and fees
- Health Insurance
- Some lunch and evening meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Round-trip airfare from Richmond, Va. to Costa Rica is included in the cost of the program. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to meet the group at Richmond International Airport (RIC) at the appointed VCU arrival time.
Eligibility
Students must have a 2.0 GPA to participate in this program.
While in Costa Rica
Activities include climbing the Poas Volcano, experiencing the cloud forest, visiting Waterfall Gardens and White Magic Waterfall, day trip to Limon and the Caribbean beaches, visit to Sarchi Town and hot springs, visit to Volcano Arenal, service learning opportunity at a local school, enjoying the beaches of Manuel Antonio, an excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park and farewell dinner.
Participants will stay in hotels across Costa Rica and share rooms with one other participant. Breakfast is included daily throughout the trip.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately at applicable VCU rates.
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 2010 (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.
