Millsaps College Newly Revised Study Abroad

Adventure in Costa Rica, Summer 2005

NEW HOST INSTITUTE! NEW LOWER PRICE! NEW BENEFITS!

SERVICE LEARNING OPTION!

Living and Learning Spanish in

"Costa Rica, el Jardín de Paz y Democracia"

Designed for students interested in learning Spanish, this summer program features classes at the Costa Rica Spanish Institute (COSI), an outstanding academic institution located in San José, the capital of the most stable, progressive country in Latin America. Besides courses taught in Spanish by Millsaps and COSI professors, the program includes a good balance of cultural activities, educational tours, and recreational travel. Students have excellent opportunities to make new friends and experience Hispanic culture firsthand by staying with middle-class Costa Rican families. We invite you to take advantage of this exceptional chance to enjoy living the language as well as learning it. The program is open to any student who has had at least a year of Spanish.

TENTATIVE DATES: May 17, 2005 - June 15, 2005

COST OF PROGRAM: $3995.00 per person (including four hours tuition)

Includes:

Four hours tuition*

! Round-trip airfare to and from Costa Rica (originating in Jackson** or Dallas/Fort Worth);

! Students will be met at the San Juan Santamaría International Airport, San José, Costa Rica, and will be transferred to the host family's home;

! $50 in Costa Rican currency upon arrival;

Lodging plus breakfasts and evening meals in home of Costa Rican family while we are in Costa Rica;

Student housing near institute;

! Laundry Service (weekly) during homestay;

! Orientation session;

! a special "Welcome to Costa Rica" lunch;

! Half-day city tour of San José;

! Two 3-day excursions with lodging, meals and transportation included;

! Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens tour;

! All textbooks except for literature course;

! Farewell luncheon at an excellent restaurant;

! Airport departure tax from San José ($26).***

* If you take an additional four hours, you will be charged Millsaps summer school tuition for the extra course.

**There will be a $195.00 surcharge if you depart from Jackson.

***In the unlikely event that there is a slight increase in the departure tax before we leave Costa Rica, you will be responsible for the small difference.

Does Not Include:

! Millsaps summer school tuition for additional four hour course;

! Small activity fee;

          ! Textbooks for literature class;

! Lunch, with exception of organized excursions (approximately $5.00 per day);

! Insurance;

! Costs involved for passport;

! Personal expenses, like souvenirs.

REQUIREMENTS

1. A strong desire to live and learn Spanish;

2. Successful completion of Spanish 1010, or its equivalent, in order to take 2000;

3. Successful completion of Spanish 2000, or its equivalent, in order to take 2110;

4. Successful completion of 2110, or its equivalent, in order to take Spanish 4750(01) and 4750(02)

(all students may take 4750(03));

5. Students have to buy their textbook for the literature class before leaving for Costa Rica;

6. Signing the agreement to speak Spanish as much as possible while in Costa Rica;

7. Attendance at all class meetings for courses in Costa Rica.

COURSES:

We anticipate offering the following:

(All courses are FOUR semester hours)

Spanish 2000 (Intermediate Spanish)

Spanish 2110 (Contemporary Hispanic Culture)

Spanish 4750(01) (Written and Oral Expression)

Spanish 4750(02) (Upper Level Literature Course)

Spanish 4750(03) (Service Learning in Spanish)

Spanish 4800 (Directed Study: available only with permission of Department Chair)

! Classes are held at The Costa Rica Spanish Institute (COSI);

! Classes are small in order to permit as much individual assistance as possible;

! Except for Service Learning in Spanish, the classes are generally taught in the morning;

! Because the homestay provides a "living language laboratory," the laboratory requirement for 2000 is waived when 2000 is taken in Costa Rica.

STUDENT COURSE OPTIONS:

Spanish 2000 (for students who have had at least 1010 or high school equivalent);

Spanish 2110 (for students who have successfully completed 2000);

Spanish 2000 and Spanish 4750 (03);

Spanish 2110 and Spanish 4750 (03);

Spanish 4750 (01) (for students who have taken 2110)

Spanish 4750 (01) and either Spanish 4750 (02) or Spanish 4750 (03).

Students can earn up to a maximum of EIGHT semester hours.

LODGING: While in San José, students will live with middle-class families carefully selected for their friendliness, patience, and support of North American students.

FOOD: In the homes, breakfast usually includes fresh tropical fruits and juices, eggs, "gallo pinto" (a delicious combination of rice, black beans, and herbs), toast, and coffee. Traditional Costa Rican foods will be served for dinner. Lunches (on your own) can be easily and economically purchased in small local restaurants called "sodas" or in American style fast-food restaurants.

CITY TOUR AND EXCURSIONS: There will be a half-day city tour, two 3-day excursions and one 1-day excursion. These excursions and the city tour are included in the total program cost.

 

HALF-DAY CITY TOUR: (May 18) Includes the National Park, the House of Congress and Democracy Square, National Theater, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Jade Museum, Mozarán Park, The Music Temple, Cultural Square, Metropolitan Cathedral, Central Avenue, Historical Postal Building, and the Central Market.

Excursion #1 (May 21)

Costa Rica is known for its volcanoes. Early Saturday morning we will go to Poas, the one with the widest crater. The view is breathtaking!! After a delicious lunch we will continue on to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Paths have been constructed so we can walk above, below and to the side of these falls. In addition we will have the opportunity to visit their well-known butterfly and hummingbird observatories.

Excursion #2 (May 28-30)

Early Saturday morning we will depart by bus and pass through majestic mountain scenery as we head for the Carara Biological Reserve. There we’ll see a variety of birds, monkeys, alligators and other animals as well as experience a true rain forest. Later in the day, we’ll go to our beautiful hotel, La Espadilla, which is located near the Pacific Ocean. On Sunday morning we’ll visit Manuel Antonio National Park. In the afternoon and on Monday morning, we’ll have the opportunity to swim, go snorkeling and scuba diving or just relax on the beach or at the hotel’s pool. After lunch Monday, we’ll return to San José. ALL TRANSPORTATION, LODGING FOR TWO NIGHTS, ALL MEALS AND ENTRANCE FEES FOR THE CARARA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE AND MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK ARE INCLUDED.

Excursion #3 (June 11-13)

Early Saturday morning we’ll drive to the province of Guanacaste along a scenic route encompassing a variety of Costa Rican landscapes. On the way, we’ll pass through coffee plantations and stop at a typical cattle ranch. If you care to, you may go horseback riding. Nearby you will also be able to enjoy natural saunas and therapeutic mud baths. Later in the day we’ll arrive at the breathtaking Gulf of Papagayo. We’ll spend two nights at the luxurious all inclusive Allegro Resort Papagayo where we’ll be able to enjoy the ocean and splendid white sand beaches. On Monday we’ll return to San José. ALL TRANSPORTATION, LODGING FOR TWO NIGHTS AT THE ALLEGRO RESORT PAPAGAYO, ALL MEALS, HORSEBACK RIDING AT THE ALBERGUE BUENA VISTA RANCH, SAUNA AND THERAPEUTIC MUD BATHS ARE INCLUDED.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please contact Dr. Robert J. Kahn, Summer Program in Costa Rica,

P. O. Box 150264, Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi 39210.

Telephone: 601/974-1318 or 601/898-2186

Fax: 601-974-1397

e-mail: KAHNRJ@MILLSAPS.EDU

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 24, 2005. To reserve your place in the program, your application must be accompanied by a non-refundable $600.00* deposit, the completed "Spanish Policy" form, the "Health Statement," and the "Release of Liability" form. Please note: Checks should be made out to Millsaps College and—for proper handling—you must write "Costa Rica Summer Program" on the "For" line on the check. Be sure to send all checks to Dr. Kahn. If you so desire, you may pay by credit card.

*Please add $195.00 to your deposit if you would like to depart from Jackson.

DEADLINES FOR REMAINDER OF PROGRAM COST: After you have paid the non-refundable deposit by January 24, please pay the balance as follows:

February 14: $1,400.00

March 7: Remainder $1,995.00

These fees are also non-refundable. If you wish, you may pay the balance before the deadlines given above.

Financial aid is available. Usually this money is released the first day of summer school. Arrangements, however, must be made so that the various deposits are turned in on time. There may be a penalty for late payments.

Please notice that if you withdraw from the program, the deposits already paid will not be recoverable. Millsaps College reserves the right to change the departure cities, to make changes in the program or the sequence in which tours are conducted, to make substitutions or alterations, or to cancel any part of the program, should unforeseen circumstances make this advisable. Participants will be notified of any major changes.

Disruptive students may be suspended or expelled from the program. Students will be given one warning before this occurs. If a student is suspended or expelled for any reason, there will be no credit or refund.

TUITION DEADLINE (where applicable): If you are taking an additional course, the Millsaps summer school tuition for it will be due on April 15, 2005. You may pay by check or credit card. Please remember that if you are just taking one class no additional payment is necessary.

PASSPORT: Students are responsible for bringing with them (and keeping on their person) a valid passport. If you do not have a passport already, please contact your local post office for details about how to obtain one. Be sure to take care of this as soon as possible. Depending on the number of applications submitted, passports can take several weeks or longer to arrive. Dr. Kahn will need to give the travel agency a copy of the first page of your passport by March 28 in order for your ticket to be processed. Students must also bring another photo I.D.

Dr. Kahn and the other Spanish professors at Millsaps will be glad to help you with any questions you may have about our courses and living in Costa Rica. Please feel free to contact us.