WISE Costa Rica

Snapshot

Program Details

Location(s)	San Jose, Costa Rica
Term	Summer 2018
Credit	Span 361, 3 sh & 3 sh Spanish language
Class Sessions	All class sessions held on-site in Costa Rica
Travel Dates	June 3 - 30, 2018
Housing	Host families
Passport	Required

 

Program Eligibility

GPA	2.5
Grad credit	No
Non-WIU	Yes
Pre-requisite	None
Student Year	Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

About Program

What you will learn

Western Illinois Spanish Experience-Costa Rica (WISE Costa Rica) gives you a four-week immersion in Spanish language and culture while also providing on-site guidance and mentoring by a Department of Foreign Languages faculty member.  Excursions and tours provide greater understanding of Costa Rican history and culture.  Lodging with host families improves your Spanish proficiency and gives you opportunities to make life-long connections. 

 

Entry Requirements

Passport required—Must be valid until at least October 1, 2018

Visa required if not a US citizen. 

All travelers must pay Costa Rica exit tax before departure.  Current cost: $29  not included in program cost

 

Health Insurance

You must have international health insurance for the time you are on your program. Only two options are approved to meet this requirement:

• WIU student health insurance
• A supplemental policy (Patriot Travel Medical) purchased through IMG.

 

Health Precautions

Walking/mobility - Expect to walk 1-2 miles per day, mostly in an urban environment.  It is not consecutive but scheduled throughout the day.  Some walking in San Jose and on excursions will be on hills.  

Environmental - Excursions and some portions of the class will be conducted outside.  Average temperatures in San Jose during this time are from mid-60's at night to the 80's during the day.  Humidity levels can be high.  Sun protection is strongly recommended.

Zika - Cases of Zika virus have been reported in Costa Rica.  Pregnant women should not travel to Costa Rica.  All other travelers should read about traveling to areas with Zika on the CDC website and discuss any concerns with your health care provider.

Dietary - Some meals are included in the program cost.  Contact Kim McDaniel if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Accessibility and accommodation may be very different than that found in the United States.  Please contact the Disability Resource Center for questions on the availability of accommodations for your specific situation.

PLEASE NOTE   It is your responsibility to request accommodation from the DRC; faculty and staff are not legally permitted to inquire about such needs.  Requests should be made as early as possible so there's sufficient time to arrange accommodations in your location.

 

Costs & Dates

Estimated Cost*	$4,400-$4,700
Included in the program	Round trip airfare from Chicago, in-country transportation, lodging (homestay), entry fees to scheduled sites, some meals
Application Deadline	EXTENDED!!  February 18, 2018
Payments
Application fee	$75 due February 28, 2018
Non-refundable deposit	$1,000 due March 1, 2018
Second payment	$1,000 due March 30, 2018
Final payment*	$2.400-$2,700 due May 1, 2018

* Costs are subject to change based on student enrollment

WIU reserves the right to adjust the cost or arrangements of this program due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond the University's control.  For details about this or individual withdrawals, see Cancellations and Withdrawals.

 

Important Dates

Passport copy deadline: April 13, 2018.  Failure to meet this deadline will result in removal from the group flight and possible increased costs.

Pre-departure meeting: TBA, Spring 2018

 

Academics

Credit offered

Span 361 - Taught by Dr. Munia Cabal-Jimenez.   

Spanish Language course - Taught by Universidad Veritas instructors.  Course number and placement determined by Foreign Languages based on pre-departure placement tests (online written exam and Skype oral interview) administered by Veritas staff.

Participation in this program counts as upper-division elective credit for FL majors/minors.  Helps fulfill Study Abroad requirement for Spanish Teacher Education majors.  Option for Foreign Language/Global Issues graduation requirement.

Please check with your academic advisor for more information on how this Course fits your specific academic needs.

 

Class sessions

Active class participation, including contribution to discussions and attendance, is expected in all phases of the Course.  You are responsible for completing pre-departure assignments including readings and discussion participation, attendance and active participation during on-site visits, guest lectures and activities, and post-return assignments.  Questions about course content should be directed to Dr. Munia Cabal-Jimenez.