Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs
UNCP
One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510

Phone: 910.775.4095
Fax: 910.521.6864
Relay: 910.775.4095
Email: ip@uncp.edu

Location: International Programs
Campus Map

Costa Rica*
June 8-21, 2013 (Summer I)
Dr. Debby Hanmer and Dr. Jason Hutchens

*Students must register for one course listed below.

Academics

BIOS 3025-001 Natural History of Costa Rica (BIOS 5025 Natural History of Costa Rica for graduate students) is designed to introduce students to different ecosystems within Costa Rica. Students will participate in field trips and excursions to study first hand the biological complexities of the tropics. You will visit economically important crop plantations like coffee, chocolate, and bananas. Students will learn about the native populations in Costa Rica, experience cultural aspects of Costa Rica, and discuss Costa Faculty-Led Study Abroad in Costa Rica Rica’s conservation ethic and the impact of humans on the environment. In addition, students will widen their world view through travel to a new country, culture and tropical environment.

Students will be assigned readings to complete and comment on before leaving for Costa Rica and students will keep a daily journal about their experiences.

MCMS 4050-Special Topics in Mass Communication: Chronicling Costa Rica. Ever dream of being a highfalutin media producer; traveling to far away places, taking pictures, shooting video, and writing stories about amazing experiences? Now you can! Students enrolling in this foreign study option will travel to Costa Rica where they will chronicle the experiences of UNCP Biology students studying about the culture, climate, and ecosystems of the country. While on location, participants will write, develop, and create new media presentations of their experiences to share with the rest of the world. Prior to departure, students will examine various forms of new media that will be used to develop content while overseas. During their stay, students will act as journalists, gathering necessary imagery and writing about their experiences. Ultimately, students will assemble new media packages and publish their experiences online.

Students will act as journalists reporting on the experiences of UNCP Biology students studying in Costa Rica. They will be prepped prior to departure on how to use varying forms of new media: such as creating an online blog with imagery and writing, creating a short video and posting online, or using combinations of new media to report and document their international experiences. Portions of (or all of) these materials may be used to promote future international studies.

Students must be able to walk 3-4 miles a day over hilly terrain.

Program Dates

June 8-21, 2013

Costa Rica Schedule

Dr. Debby Hanmer, Biology Department, and Dr. Jason Hutchens, Communications Department, have developed an amazing study abroad in Costa Rica during Summer I. This 14-day study abroad includes:

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose.
Day 2: Poas Volcano National Park. Tirimbina field station.
Day 3: Guided rainforest hike, chocolate tour and Indigenous cultural museum.
Day 4: White water rafting and bats program.
Day 5: Visit pineapple and coffee plantations.
Day 6: Community Program at Tirimbina School.
Day 7: Travel to La Fortuna. Ecothermales hot springs
Day 8: Boat Trip at Tárcoles River
Day 9: Birding at Carara National Park and Boat trip to Drake Bay.
Day 10: Boat trip to Corcovado National Park
Day 11: Boat trip to Caño Island.
Day 12: Travel to San Gerardo de Dota.
Day 13: Birding and departure to San Jose.
Day 14: Depart San Jose to North Carolina.

Study Abroad Information

Program Fee includes:

■ Round-trip airfare from North Carolina to Costa Rica
■ Housing
■ All meals, except one lunch.
■ Visits to Arenal, Carara and Corcovado National Parks, Educational programs, Coffee and pineapple tours, Indigenous Museum, White water rafting, Hot springs, Gold Museum.
■ International Health Insurance (Required)

Program Does Not Include: Costa Rica

■ UNCP Study Abroad Application Fee ($50). Due at time of application.
■ U.S. Passport fees.
■ Airline baggage fees or overweight baggage fees (if applicable).
■ Tuition/fees for BIOS 3025-Natural History of Costa Rica (BIOS 5025 Nature History of Costa Rica for graduate students) or MCMS 4050-Special Topics in Mass Communication: Chronicling Costa Rica. Must be paid in full prior to departure.

■ Books or supplies for courses above (if applicable).

Cost: $2,600

You must have approval from the Study Abroad Coordinator. You must be registered for BIOS 3025-Natural History of Costa Rica (3 credits-undergraduate), BIOS 5025-Natural History of Costa Rica (3 credits-graduate), or MCMS 4050-Special Topics in Mass Communication: Chronicling Costa Rica (3 credits-undergraduate). The cost of tuition and fees is NOT included in the cost of the Study Abroad in Costa Rica.

Financial Aid

This is an approved study abroad program through the Center for International Programs, the Communications Department, and the Biology Department, and may qualify for financial aid.

In order to qualify for financial aid a student must be registered for full-time studies (minimum 6-credits) in the summer. Most grants, loans, or scholarships should apply to this approved program. Please direct all questions about student financial aid eligibility to the Financial Aid Office.

Additional Information:

-You will need to have a valid US Passport to participate in this study abroad. Please visit the Department of State website for a US Passport application: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

-Students must attend a mandatory pre-departure meeting at the end of the spring 2013 semester.

-Students must travel to/from study abroad destination with group.

Payment Plan

Individual payment plans may be arranged with the Study Abroad Coordinator and are flexible based on a student’s individual financial situation. Please note that all deposits/payments are non-refundable.

Eligibility

All students at UNC Pembroke are eligible to participate in Study Abroad, provided that they meet the following minimum requirements:

UNCP students-Completion of 2 full-time semesters and a UNCP Study Abroad Application/application fee.
Transfer students-Completion of 15 credits in residence, minimum, at time of departure, and a completed UNCP Study Abroad Application/application fee.
2.50 GPA at time of application.
Approved program of study.
Register for 3-credit course at UNCP. Not included in the cost of study abroad.
Conduct report. Applicants must be in Good Academic Standing and have no outstanding holds at UNCP.

How to Apply?

Submit a completed UNCP Study Abroad application. Available at the International Programs Office, or contact ip@uncp.edu and we will email you an application.
$50 study abroad application fee. Make check or money order payable to UNCP.