International Field Experience:Cultural/Spanish Language Immersion For Social Workers in Costa Rica
Deadline Extended to April 8th 2013
Term: Summer
Travel Dates:
Course A only: 7/13/2013 – 7/27/2013
Course A & B (combined): 7/13/2013 – 8/3/2013
Credits: Total of 4 credits possible
Course A: 3 credits
Course B: 1 credits
Faculty: Dawn Williamson
Course A:
The Cultural and Spanish Language Immersion for Social Workers class is a two-week course offered with home stays in Grecia, Costa Rica. The academic content includes daily Spanish classes in the morning and afternoon lectures about Latino culture, Central American social services, and the social work profession in Costa Rica compared and contrasted with the United States. There are several field trips to various social service organizations around the central region of Costa Rica.
One of the course requirements is a comparison study of a specific area of social work practice within Costa Rica and the United States, with the expectation that the student will begin study while in Costa Rica by gathering information through observation and interviews of Costa Rican social workers. The course work focuses on exposure to international social work as an emerging field of study within the social work profession. The optional extended stay of two additional weeks is available for students to enhance the experiential learning through afternoon volunteer activities with a social service agency.
Course B (extended stay):
The optional extended stay will be available for one additional credit that students will register for as an independent study SW 405/505 Readings and Conference course. During this additional week students will participate in additional Spanish classes in the morning, but the afternoons will participate in volunteer work within the local community. For the extended stay option, students must participate in one class session on the topic of international volunteering prior to departure. The optional extended stay is available only as an addition to the regular summer course-program (SW 410/510).
The course is designed for graduate students, but is available to BSW students with consent of instructor and the BSW Program Director.
Program Focus
Course Information:
- SW 410/510 – Cultural and Spanish Language Immersion for Social Workers in Costa Rica – 3cr.
- SW 405/505 – Independent Study Volunteer Experience in Costa Rica — 1cr. (available with extension through 8/3/2013 see Option B for pricing)
Program costs:
| Credit Option | Tuition & Program Fees | Additional Estimated Costs | Total Program Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course A only | $2,370 – $2,670 | $1,950 | $4,320 – $4,620 |
| Course A & B | $1,275 | $700 | $1,975 |
Program Duration
Relevant Academic Disciplines
Chicano/Latino Studies, Child and Family Studies, Communication Studies, Community Development, Community Health, Culture, Foreign Languages, Humanities, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Service Learning, Social Work, Sustainability
Program Provider
Pre-Requisites
- Social Work majors only
- Junior standing or above
- GPA 2.75 or above
Language Skill: None