ICADS Program Outline (13 Weeks Total)
Throughout the semester, students will be living with one or more welcoming Spanish-speaking host families that will engage with them and provide them with their boarding needs.
BLOCK 1:
- 5 Weeks
- Rigorous academic schedule paired with the challenges of cultural immersion and language learning
- This block and seminar are core and essential prep for engaging thoughtfully with Costa Rica and the rest of the semester
Latin American Perspectives on Justice and Sustainable Development: ECON/SOC 412
8:15-12pm, M-F | 3-4 credits
Lectures and activities each morning pertaining to the course topics of development, ecology, sociology, & economy. Course work, readings, and assignments are in English.
- Multidisciplinary approach to the sociological and economic issues of Latin America and Costa Rica within our ever globalizing world.
- A constantly evolving reading anthology, expert guest speakers, fieldwork, and local field trips are the tools used in exploring topical issues.
- Interaction and engagement with culture through living with local host families and Spanish with Costa Rican professors
- Deep engagement with the cultural reality and different perspectives; some assignments involve conversations with locals or semiformal social interviews
- Process groups, reflective written assignments, discussions and office hours are all spaces for the students to grapple with their experiences.
- 1 week is dedicated to a trip to the Caribbean province of Costa Rica
Spanish Course: SPA
12:45-4:15pm, M-F | 3-4 credits
- Students are broken into small groups with peers at their same Spanish level for an intimate and conversational course.
- Course taken is determined by Spanish level.
Block 2 (8 Weeks):
Internship on Social Justice and Development: IND/RES 451
4-6 hours daily, M-F | 9-12 credits
- Based on educational needs, interests, and Spanish proficiency, students are placed in an individualized internship to gain experience in urban or rural areas in a field of their interest. Only one student is placed at each internship site.
- With previous communication, an internship may be arranged in an area of special credit interest/need of a student.
Examples of potential internship areas:
- Indigenous communities
- Non-profit organizations working with women and children who are victims of violence (stricter requirements when working with juveniles)
- Small farmers organization to promote sustainable agricultural practices
- NGOs in topics related to community development, human rights, education, recreation, environmental sustainability, etc.
- Public or private medical sector (stricter requirements)
- Businesses with marketing or tech needs
- Coffee or Cacao Agroforestry Projects
Students are expected to intern Mon-Friday, 4-6 hours a day, with a flexible schedule depending on the site’s needs.
Students are expected to complete readings, bi-weekly reflections, and check-ins
At the conclusion of the internship, students return to ICADS to complete written work and oral presentations, while processing their experiences as a group together with their faculty advisors (including a reentry workshop).
Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester | May 1 |
Spring Semester | November 1 |
Financial Information:
Gap Semester Tuition and Fees (Spring and Fall 2024)
Deposit | $500 |
Final payment | $14,250 |
TOTAL COST | $14,750 |