Program

John Carroll University in Costa Rica is a uniquely developed program that is divided into two parts. The first portion of the program will take place in Alajuela, located within the San Jose metropolitan area. The second part will take place in the cloud rain forest in Monteverde. The division of the semester will allow the student to witness and experience first hand the richness and diversity of Costa Rica, while allowing them to satisfy John Carroll University core courses.

The first part of the semester will be spent at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense (ICLC). ICLC is located in the city of Alajuela. It is at ICLC where the students will take part in six hours of language instruction. Students can chose from all levels of Spanish/ In addition to the Spanish course students will take an interdisciplinary study course focusing on various topics of Costa Rican society, such as, history, art, politics, gender roles, social structure and economics. Students will also visit museums in San Jose to supplement their course work.

The second part of the semester will take place at San Luis Ecolodge in the cloud rain forest in Monteverde. It is here that students will participate in the science portion of the program. Students will have access to the spacious laboratory, where the students will be able to conduct their experiments. In addition to the Biology course, the interdisciplinary course will continue in Monteverde and focus on peasant culture, visit coffee plantations and discuss sustainable farming with local coffee growers.

Living in Costa Rica

During their time in Alajuela, students will live with pre-selected host families. Because students will live with Spanish-speaking host families, students will be challenged to step out of their comfort zone and experience in a very different way life in a different culture. The second part of the semester students will live in dormitories in the cloud rain forest. These dormitories are within close walking distance to the classroom and laboratory facilities. During both parts of the semester meals are included.

Faculty Director

Dr. Christopher Sheil will be direct the second part of the semester in Monteverde. Dr. Sheil's research interests are in systematic herpetology, skeletal morphology, and evolutionary development. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.

Courses

Students will take fourteen hours for the fall semester. Classes will be:

• 6 hrs. Spanish Language (101-102, 201-202, 301-302)
• 4 hrs. ML XXX (Latin American Studies Course)
• 4 hrs. BL 206 & 206L (Biology with lab component)

Financial Aid

Students are able to apply all their financial aid, e.g. scholarships, federal and state, to the Costa Rica semester. To learn how to take advantage of this offer, please consult the Office of Financial Aid.

Program Costs

$13,595 John Carroll University Tuition

$2,103 John Carroll University Room

$1,864 John Carroll University Board

$1,000 Program Fee

$1,000 Administrative Fee

$19 562Program Total

How to Apply

Admission to this program is based on academic standing, student maturity and order of deposit. The Costa Rica Program is highly competitive and may fill up early. It is the student's interest to apply as early as possible. Applications may be obtained from the Center for Global Education. Applications are due on March 15-2008.

FOr further information please contac the Center for GLobal Education or Dr. Shiel

For further information about Costa Rica, please visit the following links:

CIA World fact book: Costa Rica

State Department Consular Information Sheet: Costa Rica

Centers for Disease Control: Mexico and Central America