UNC Charlotte's Spanish Language and Culture in Costa Rica Study Abroad Program

SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN COSTA RICA

SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA
MAY 29 - JUNE 26, 2010

UNC Charlotte Scholarship Deadline: Monday, February 15 2010. See the Office of Education Abroad (256 College of Health and Human Services Building) for Details.

Course Overview

village at foot of mountains UNC Charlotte's Department of Languages and Culture Studies and the Office of Education Abroad conduct an annual summer program of studies in San José, Costa Rica, called the "garden spot of the Americas" because of its year-round spring-like climate. Costa Rica is possibly the most peaceful country in the Western Hemisphere. Its former president, Oscar Arias, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, and this small Central American nation is proud of the fact that it has no army. How many countries can boast that they spend more money on education than on their national defense? Language classes and the culture program are directed by university-trained native speakers of Spanish. Students meet in small classes for four hours of language instruction per day (Monday through Friday). Two weekend excursions to fascinating landscapes outside San José are also planned. Students can earn six semester hours of credit (3 hours of language and 3 hours of culture) during the four weeks in San José. UNC Charlotte's Office of Education Abroad will process the credits earned in Costa Rica so the credit you earn in Costa Rica is easily applied to your UNC Charlotte transcript. Students at all levels of language proficiency may participate in the program. Upon arrival at the institute, students take a brief placement test to ascertain their level.

 

Where:
Classes will be conducted at the Forester Institute in San José. Students must be in residence and attend all program activities. In addition to class, students will take program trips to experience Costa Rican culture.  Past excursions have been made to Volcán Arenal and Playa Jacó.

When:
The program will be leave for San José on May 29, 2010 and return to the United States on June 26, 2010.
Costs:
Approximately $ 3,745.00*. A payment schedule can be found here:
The program fee includes:
All rates are based on tariffs, costs, and exchange rates at publication and are subject to change based on these factors. A payment schedule is available here.

What you pay individually and in addition:
Remember, financial aid for which you qualify can be applied toward this program.

church A payment schedule for the airfare portion of the program (not included in the program cost above) will be given to students upon acceptance to the program. It is the responsibility of the participant to make arrangements with the travel agent, to be designated by UNC Charlotte, for air ticket reservations and for payment of ticket costs. The first 17 tickets will be at a less expensive rate.

UNC Charlotte will refund $100.00 of the program deposit if written notice of cancellation is received by the Office of Education Abroad of the Office of International Programs no later than March 16, 2010. A second payment of $1,650.00 is due no later than March 16, 2010. The final balance of $1,595.00 is due April 26, 2010.
UNC Charlotte will refund the extent of money recoverable for committed expenditures if a request to the Office of Education Abroad is made in writing no later than April 30, 2010.

Responsibility — UNC Charlotte, its employees and agents, act only as agents in operating this program and are not liable for any loss, delay, injury, or damage to person or property resulting from any cause beyond the control of the operating agents. The operating agents reserve the right to alter this program at their discretion without prior notice to participants. The program director reserves the right to refuse to retain any person as a member of this program in which case no refund is made. No refunds are possible for service not used by participants after the program is in operation. Any additional expense resulting from illness, accident, natural disasters, wars, strikes, riots, acts of governments, improper passports, visas or necessary traveling documents, or from any conditions whatsoever beyond the control of the operating company are to be borne by the individual participant. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during time passengers are not on board their planes. The passengers' contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued shall constitute the sole contract in use between the airlines and purchasers and/or passengers. Any IATA carrier may be flown. ocean front resort

To Apply:
The application deadline is January 29, 2010. Your application will not be forwarded to the Faculty Director until we receive your non-refundable $10 application fee. Your space on the program is cannot held until you have been approved by the Faculty Director and paid the $500 program deposit. You may pay the deposit and application fee at one time, for a total of $510.00 if you wish. You must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with your home university in order to participate on this program.


Please note that non-UNC Charlotte students must provide a current transcript from their home institution. They should be sent to the address below.
If you have any problems with the online application, please contact:

The Office of Education Abroad
256 CHHS
(704) 687 7747

For further information about this program, please contact:
The Program Director:
Mary Frances Castro
Department of Languages and Culture Studies
Phone: (704) 687 8775

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