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Costa Rica in January: Culture+ Spanish
| Dates: |
January 3–20, 2008 |
| Cost: |
$2850 |
| Application deadline: |
Contact Us for Application Deadlines |
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Costa Rica Activities
| Day |
|
| January 3 |
Arrive San José and transfer to Manuel Antonio |
| January 4 |
AM: Free time to explore Manuel Antonio National Park (optional excursions)
PM: Group dinner at local restaurant |
| January 5 |
AM: Manuel Antonio National Park: Whale watching excursion
PM: Free time
|
| January 6 |
AM: Free time to explore Manuel Antonio Park
PM: Return to San José, transfer to host family
|
| January 7 |
AM: Spanish Language Communication Skills
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "In-country orientation, Stages of Cultural Adaptation"
|
| January 8 |
AM: Spanish Language Communication Skills
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Understanding Culture and Intercultural Competence"
|
| January 9 |
AM: Spanish Language Communication Skills
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: Visit to Jade Museum NAMU gallery - "Cultural Self-Awareness, The Process of Cultural Conditioning"
Evening: Optional visit to live music club or theatre
|
| January 10 |
AM: Spanish Language Communication Skills
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Cultural Learning, Development Models for Intercultural Competence"
Evening: Optional Tropical Dance Class
|
| January 11 |
AM: Spanish Language Communication Skills
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Intercultural Communication Styles: Non-verbal, Values Orientation"
Depart to Arenal Volcano
|
| January 12 |
AM: Visit to Waterfall
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Comparing Communication Styles Across Cultures" followed by visit to hot sprints
|
| January 13 |
AM: Departure to Monteverde
PM: Visit to Reserve
|
| January 14 |
Return to San José with visit to Quaker Cooperative en-route |
| January 15 |
AM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Intercultural Competence in the Workplace"
PM: Visit to Cartago area: Basilica and local market
Evening: Optional Tropical Dance class
|
| January 16 |
Depart to Nacientes Palmichal for orientation to service project and the area |
| January 17 |
Service project in Nacientes Palmichal |
| January 18 |
AM: Service project in Nacientes Palmichal
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Cross-cultural Conflict Resolution"
|
| January 19 |
AM: Return to San José
PM: Intercultural Competence Session: "Intercultural Reentry and Evaluations"
Evening: Group Farewell Dinner
|
| January 20 |
Departure |
*Dates and itinerary are tentative and subject to change. Participants will receive final program itinerary 30 days prior to program start.
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Field Studies
The travel and field studies portion of the program will take you to exciting destinations around the country to explore its natural landscape and try out your new found skills.
On your first weekend in Costa Rica, you'll head to the expansive white sand beaches and lush rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park. Here you'll enjoy a guided whale watching tour and have access to an array of other activities. Surf the waves, mountain bike along indigenous trails, go horseback riding through the forest, raft the rapids of Savegre and Naranjo rivers, or try a canopy slide along the tree tops!
On your next excursion, you'll witness the continuous daily flow of lava from the 5,000 feet peak of Arenal Volcano. If the weather conditions are good, you'll be able to capture some spectacular photos! In nearby Monteverde Cloud Forest, you'll be surrounded by some of the most diverse wildlife and vegetation in the world as you hike to waterfalls or take a dip in natural hot springs. You'll see lots of colorful birds, flowers and probably a few howler monkeys swinging in the trees above you!
