The Life and Health Sciences, Spanish Language and Culture Studies Program has a minimum prerequisite of one year of college biology and is designed for science majors interested in learning more about ecology and conservation biology in Costa Rica. The program is administered by the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) of which the University of Iowa is a member, and enrolls approximately 30 students from various U.S. colleges and universities. The program offers English taught courses in tropical ecology, tropical marine biology, conversation biology, and environmental policy. Some classes have a related field study course that provides hands on experience in the subject. Students combine the science curriculum with Spanish language or literature classes designed by Tracks according to level. Students will expand their Spanish language skills through classroom study and personal interaction with the host culture in the homestay setting. The program offers a one week optional tour to northern Costa Rica and Nicaragua, or to southern Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro in Panama, depending on the session. UI students earn resident credit on this program.

Academic Program

Semester:

English-taught courses in the life sciences require one year of college biology with lab. Spanish language study according to tracks allows completing two semesters of college Spanish in one semester. All courses are taught exclusively for program participants by local Costa Rican faculty, with the exception of one or two courses offered each semester by a visiting U.S. faculty member from one of the USAC consortium institutions. Classroom space is at the local branch campus of the Universidad de Costa Rica. UI students earn resident credit on this program, and typically earn between 12 sh – 18 sh depending on the classes selected.

Credit may be applied toward the following General Education Areas: [Foreign Language, Foreign Civilization & Culture, Social Sciences, Health & Physical Activity.] [Foreign Language, International Global Issues, Values, Society & Diversity.]

Certain courses satisfy requirements for the Spanish major or minor.
Courses may be applied towards science major requirements pending review and approval by the major department.

Summer:

During each session, students typically enroll in one 3 s.h. course supplemented by 1 s.h. courses on various topics. English taught classes include International Political Economy, Conservation Biology, Tropical Ecology, Population Biology or Tropical Marine Biology, depending on the session. Spanish includes accelerated language study at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels including a section on Spanish for Medical professionals. Students can supplement their core 3 s.h. class with additional 1 s.h. classes touching on culture, dance, ecological sustainability and, for students with no prior Spanish, a basic introduction to Spanish language for survival. All courses are taught exclusively for program participants by local Costa Rican faculty, occasionally by a visiting U.S. faculty member from one of the USAC consortium institutions.

The program offers some Saturday excursions in each session, as well as an optional five day tour to southern Costa Rica.

Depending on class selection, credit may be applied toward the following General Education Areas: [Foreign Language, Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science without laboratory] [Foreign Language, Natural Science without laboratory.]
Certain courses satisfy requirements for the Spanish major or minor.
Courses may be applied towards science major requirements pending review and approval by the major department.

Program Dates

Semester

Fall: August 16, 2013 – December 6, 2013

Spring: January 17, 2014 – May 16, 2014

Summer:

Session I: May 17, 2013 - June 21, 2013 (June 30 if participating in the tour to southern Costa Rica)

Session II: June 30, 2013 (June 24 if participating in the tour to southern Costa Rica) - August 2, 2013

Students can elect to participate in either or both sessions.

The University of Costa Rica

The University of Costa Rica, located in San José, was founded in 1941 and is the most prestigious in the country. The Sede de Occidente or branch campus of the west, located in San Ramón, has an enrollment of 8000 students.

San Ramon

A primarily agricultural town of 30,000, San Ramon is situated half-way between the capital city of San Jose and Puntarenas on the Pacific coast, less than an hour away from each. It is located in the Central Valley against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. Manuel Brenes, one of the riches forest preserves in Costa Rica, lies just outside the city.

Costa Rica

The geography of Costa Rica displays a stunning panorama of nature, which includes the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coasts, mountains that soar to 12,000 feet, lush rain forests and active volcanoes. Enlightened Costa Rica has been a forerunner in the development of national parks and in the preservation of wildlife.

Living Arrangements

Semester:

USAC arranges home stay lodging. The families are located within easy commuting distance to the university. The semester program fee includes room and three meals daily, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Summer:

USAC arranges home stay lodging. The families are located within easy commuting distance to the university. Room is included in the program fee. For an additional cost, students can also choose to be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Travel Arrangements

Once accepted to the program, the USAC central office will provide information about the travel agency organizing program group flights.

Eligibility

One year of general biology with lab at the college level; 2.5 g.p.a. or endorsement of academic advisors.

Costs

Semester:

The Program Fee is charged on the U bill and includes tuition and fees, orientation, field trips and cultural activities, and a UI administrative fee.

The semester fee Fall 2012 was Resident: $5,686, Nonresident: $7,234.

Items not covered by the program fee include housing and meals, books & supplies, optional tours, airfare, visa costs and personal expenses. For an estimate on these consult the USAC Programs Catalog.

The Iowa Regents mandatory international CISI coverage is also collected on the U Bill.

Summer

The Program Fee for summer 2013 for the one month session was $3283 for students that are Iowa residents, and the same for non-residents.

The fee for the two months session was $6352 for students that are Iowa residents and $7416 for non-residents.

The Program Fee is charged on the U bill and includes tuition and fees, housing, orientation, some field trips and cultural activities, and a UI administrative fee.

Items not covered by the program fee include include airfare, meals, books & supplies, course-specific field trips, the optional tour, and personal expenses. Cost estimates are provided in the USAC Summer Catalog.

The Iowa Regents mandatory international CISI coverage is also collected on the U Bill.

How to Apply

On this UI sponsored program, students must submit an application, including the UI Application Cover Sheet, to the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office. Instructions for application are available from the program adviser at an appointment.

Non-UIowa students can obtain program information directly from USAC.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for spring is October 1, for fall and academic year is March 1, and for summer is March 10. Late applications are accepted on a space-available basis through April 15.

Upon acceptance, students will receive Pre-departure information directly from the program’s central office.

All students attend a general TIPS orientation for UI Students Studying Abroad. Additional small group meetings address specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures at Iowa.

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1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu