Gap

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:

Financial Information:

Gap Semester Tuition and Fees (Spring and Fall 2024)