San Isidro, Costa Rica

Academics

ELIGIBILITY To apply, you must be a currently enrolled, degree-seeking, undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student. You need to be in good academic standing and have a cumulative resident GPA of 2.3. You may apply as a Group service project freshman but must have at least sophomore standing by the time the program begins.

COURSES This 14 week academic program has three distinct parts. You will participate in all three.

Parts One & Three (weeks 1-6 & 9-14) Academic Coursework
Spanish courses start in week 1, Part One and continue in Part Three. You will cover the equivalent of 2 semesters of language materials, continuing from your current level. Available Spanish classes include:

Span 101: Beginning Spanish I (4 credits)
Span 102: Beginning Spanish II (4 credits)
Span 201: Intermediate Spanish I (4 credits)
Span 202: Intermediate Spanish II (4 credits)
Span 301: Advanced Composition (3 credits)
Span 302: Advanced Conversation & Composition (3 credits)

Courses, taught in English, with a Latin American Studies focus will also take place during Part One & Part Three. You will take History of Civilization of Central America (UW-Eau Claire's HIST 411) and an environmental seminar, Conservation of Sustainability (UW-Eau Claire's Geog lower division, GEIII).

Part Two (Weeks 7-8): Community Project
In Part 2, you will spend 2 weeks in a rural community, working on service projects identified as important by community leaders. Past projects have involved working with local elementary school students and their parents to renovate school playgrounds, build benches, and paint murals. No academic credit is awarded, however, the project fulfills the UW-Eau Claire service learning requirement.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR This spring program typically begins in the last week of January and ends the first week of May. Exact dates are available the semester prior to departure.