The Program

A key to effective health care is providing personalized care for each individual, so cross-cultural experience is a must for today's health care students. Given the demographics in our region and nationwide, you are certain to provide care to a patient pool that grows more multicultural each year.

The growing number of Spanish speakers in the United States has increased the need for health care professionals who can speak Spanish and who have an understanding of Latin American culture. This program will help you gain the necessary language and cultural skills to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients.

In the words of a past participant, "Costa Ricans have taught me to value people more and worry about projects less. I also see that I need to learn more about the United States' health care system if I want to be a part of the solution for our country's health systems."

Academic fieldtrips to introduce you to a few of the many faces of Costa Rica. The trips will include day trips within San José to different medical facilities, as well as visits to rural medical centers.

Location

You will be living in two different cities while in Costa Rica. The majority of your time will be spent in Miramar (population 10,000), and you will see firsthand how primary health care is delivered in a rural setting. You will also spend two week sin San José, (population of 1 million) to see how health care is administered at multiple different types and sizes of health facilities.

Courses

The academic program consists of two courses. Introduction to the Costa Rican Medical System (UWEC's NSYS 377, 3 credits) is taught in English. You will also take a 5-credit Medical Spanish course at the appropriate Spanish level for you, beginning to advanced. Credits granted are:
Span 101 (4 cr) & Span Elec LD (1 cr)
Span 102 (4 cr) & Span Elec LD (1 cr)
Span 201 (4 cr) & Span Elec LD (1 cr)
Span 202 (4 cr) & Span Elec LD (1 cr)
Span 320 (3 cr) & Span Elec UD (2 cr)

This program was designed to engage you in the Costa Rican healthcare environment and will guide you in effective communication, in Spanish, in real-life medical situations. You'll also have the unique opportunity to learn about the Costa Rican medical system in the classroom and during interactive field trips. You will build communication skills so that you will learn to successfully communicate in situations such as:

-Reception and patient administration
-General physical exams
-The discussion of a patient's symptoms and their prognosis.
-Meeting with a patient's family


Where Will I Live?
 

You will live with host families in Costa Rica. Past participants report that the informal learning with their family was as important as their class work to their academic experience. In the words of a past student, "I was so glad to live with a host family rather than in a hotel or dorm. It was a great cultural experience."

Academic Calendar

The program runs for 8 weeks, from early June to late July. Exact program dates are determined the semester prior to departure.

Expenses

The estimated Wisconsin resident fee for summer 2009 is $4,225. This includes 8 credits of UW-Eau Claire tuition, housing and meals, books, CISI insurance, and administrative charges. Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity, while non-residents should add $900 non-resident fees.

Additional costs include the cost of a passport, personal expenses, local transportation in Costa Rica, and airfare. Estimate another $1,200 for these items. 

Total Wisconsin resident estimated cost for the program is $5,425. Cost estimates may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs. Your aid package will be based on actual costs in Costa Rica, including round-trip airfare. You  can learn about additional options, including a study abroad grant through UW-Eau Claire Foundation, a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad, scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships at http://www.uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility

The program is open to all academically eligible undergraduate students. You must be in good academic standing, and with a minimum cumulative resident GPA of 2.3 to apply. UW-Eau Claire students must complete FMHN 212, or have consent of the FMHN instructor, to participate in this program. Although you may apply as a freshman, you must have sophomore standing by the start of the program. No prior study of Spanish is required.

Application Deadline

Applications for Summer 2009 are accepted beginning September 2, 2008. The priority application deadline for Summer 2009 is November 17, 2008.

Complete applications will be reviewed after this date. Late applications will be considered if space on the program is still available. Please contact the Center for International Education to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application. No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Comments

My experience in Costa Rica has been life-changing. I have learned so much about myself, and I have grown in ways that I never knew were possible. I'm now able to effectively communicate in Spanish, and that alone has changed my life forever. -Brianne, past participant

This program taught me so much about the Costa Rican health care system and the importance of primary care. I was able to learn to work with Latino patients. This program let me immerse myself in a completely new culture through clinical visits, host familes and traveling.
-Erica, past participant

AMAZING! It is hard to describe into words. This program has met any expectations that I ever had. I have learned not only Spanish, but about the Costa Rican health care system. Because of this experience, I will be able to better understand a future Latino patient. -Karen, past participant

Eye opening and mind inspiring. The experience humbles you into feeling like a human being, making your appreciate how much you still have to learn about the world.  -Claire, past participant

Everyday brought something new to learn, and another part of the culture to experience.  No day was boring, whether I had a crazy discussion with my host family, or tried a new class at the gym.  I am so thankful I took advantage of this great opportunity---I will never forget the memories and the friendships I made here in la Pura Vida! -Jen, past participant

Costa Ricans have taught me to value people more and worry about projects less.  I also see that I need to learn more about the United States' health care system if I want to be part of the solution for our countries health system programs.  I also really appreciated the amount of Spanish I was able to learn and use through my class room, family and community involvement.  I am a different person now and I am grateful for it!! -Carla, past participant

Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI   54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu
Internet address:  http://www.uwec.edu/CIE