The Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies announces a new semester-long study abroad program in San Jose, Costa Rica, beginning Spring 2006. Elon in Costa Rica is the first new satellite program in 20 years. Details...
Like Elon’s long-standing satellite semester in London, students studying on this program will be accompanied by an Elon faculty member. The program will include numerous opportunities and activities to learn about the issues facing contemporary Latin America and enjoy Costa Rica’s natural wonders.
In addition to its natural beauty, Costa Rica is an ideal location in which to study the rapid social, cultural, economic, political and environmental changes that face much of the developing Latin American world, and is the epitome of a country grappling with sustainable development. A semester abroad program in Costa Rica presents an opportunity for students to see firsthand the impact that industrialized nations have on developing countries as they both vie for a place within their economic structure and exploit the opportunities for gain. Although these opportunities may provide some benefits to the host country, they do not come without a cost to the host country and it is essential that American students recognize the ethical, political, and cultural implications of these economic ventures. This is important not only for the development of Costa Rica, but so that North American students can learn to become responsible world citizens. The current state of development in Costa Rica places it at precisely the right place for students to study the impact of the changes occurring in Latin America and other such countries undergoing a development facilitated by outside forces.
The first faculty member to accompany the Elon students to Costa Rica for the semester will be Dr. Christine Nemcik, assistant professor of history. Dr. Nemcik specializes in Latin American history with a primary focus on modern Central America. She lived in Costa Rica in 1996/1997 while doing research for her doctoral dissertation on the local German community, and she speaks Spanish. Spring semester 2006 will mark her fifth trip to this beautiful and diverse country, including co-teaching Elon’s Costa Rica Language, Culture and Ecotourism course in Winter Term 2003.
Classes will be taught at the Institute for Central American Studies (ICAS). Elon has worked with ICAS for 17 years on Elon’s Winter Term in Costa Rica. The courses are designed to satisfy general studies requirements for all majors. In addition, there will be courses and internships designed to appeal to business majors, Teaching Fellows and other education majors, international studies majors, environmental studies majors, and Latin American studies minors. An upper level general studies course will be taught by the Elon faculty member. Other courses will be taught in English by Costa Rican faculty. Internship opportunities will be available, many in Spanish and some in English. No Spanish experience is required to participate in the program, but all students are required to take one Spanish language class as a part of the program.
To heighten the level of cultural immersion, students will live with host families in San Jose. Students will engage with their families during meals, family excursions and social gatherings.
As a part of the program, a number of excursions are planned around the beautiful country of Costa Rica. These may include visits to Volcan Irazu, the Dole banana plantation, La Paz waterfall gardens, the Monteverde cloud forest, Volcan Arenal and others.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring of 2006. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through the September 30 deadline. Applications are available in the Isabella Cannon Centre and online at www.elon.edu-e-web/academics/cannon/studyabroad.