Sustainable Development in Costa Rica

IA 555: UNH Summer Program — 8 weeks / 10 credits

Program Dates	May 31 - July 28, 2012
Application Deadline	extended
Info Sessions	Thursday, Feb. 9, 1-2 pm, MUB 334 → Meet Costa Rican Academic Director Jorge Nowalski Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1-2 pm, Hood House 203

Immerse yourself in the culture of Costa Rica, a Spanish-speaking, democratic country that has fostered a culture of peace, prosperity and conservation of its unique-in-the-world tropical biodiversity. Experience first-hand the development challenges and opportunities facing Costa Rica. Compare its innovative and successful policies and practices to those of other countries in Latin America and around the world.

This eight-week, 10-credit summer program offers International Affairs dual majors as well as students in a wide variety of other disciplines (Environmental Studies, Political Science, Business, and more) the chance to explore Costa Rica and fulfill the World Cultures Discovery requirement, as they take cutting edge courses in Human Development, Sustainable Tourism, Corporate Social Responsibility, or Spanish.

Highlights

Experience Earth University (Escuela de Agricultura de la Región del Trópico Húmedo) where you stay with traditional Costa Rican farmers and work on their organic farms
Visit botanical and medicinal gardens, forest reserves and the banana plantation and processing plant while engaging with Earth University students
Discover the Tortuguero canals and unique micro-climates along the Caribbean Coast
Take your Spanish to the next level as you live with a welcoming host family in San José
Give back to your host community through 30 hours of Service Learning

Courses

The Center for International Education and our Costa Rican partner, the International Center for Development Studies, have designed courses that may fulfill a variety of course and UNH requirements, including World Cultures Discovery. All courses are taught in English except Spanish for Development Studies. Detailed course descriptions can be found here.

Students choose two out of the following:

Sustainable Human Development in Latin America (4 credits)
Discovery Requirement: Environment, Technology and Society
and/or IA Elective: Policy & Theory
Sustainable Tourism and Local Development (4 credits)
IA Elective: Science, Technology and Private Sector
Corporate Social Responsibility: an Instrument for Sustainable Development in Latin America (4 credits)
IA Elective: Science, Technology and Private Sector
Spanish for Development Studies (4 credits)
Spanish Major or Minor: course at the 500 or 600 level

Additionaly, all students put their knowledge and skills to use through Community Service:

Service Learning course (2 credits)
Service opportunities in a variety of development areas.

Housing

Students are housed with welcoming local families. Housing includes hot showers,
laundry services and two meals a day (three meals on weekends).

Cost

Students pay regular UNH summer tuition, course fee of $1,750, and mandatory summer school fees. The total program cost, including tuition and fees for 10 credits, is: NH resident: $5,472 / Out-of-state: $5,842.

The course fee for this program includes:

Room & board
International travelers assistance coverage
On-site orientation, support and coordination
Course-related field trips
Overnight excursions
Airport transfers

Additional costs: Airfare to San José, Costa Rica (approximately $550) and spending money
Please note: 10 credits taken during the summer at UNH costs $5,841 for NH residents, compared to $5,472 in Costa Rica. You really can afford to study abroad this summer!

Application Process

Completed applications must be submitted to Hood House Room 223. Students are encouraged to submit their applications to CIE as early as possible. Admission will be limited and is first-come, first-serve for qualifying students.

Participating students are required to attend an advising session, registration session, and pre-departure meetings.

**Application Checklist**
	The Costa Rica Application includes:
	◻ One passport-size photograph
	◻ Study Away Student Eligibility Form
	◻ Reference from faculty member
	◻ Preliminary course selection form

For More Information

**Costa Rica Information Sessions**
Thursday Feb. 9, 1-2 pm MUB 334 (Meet Costa Rican Academic Director Jorge Nowalski)
Tuesday Feb. 21, 1-2 pm Hood House 203
To set up an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor, call 603-862-2398, or come to Hood House Room 223