Span 165/201 – Supervised Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Four credits, FDR - FL*, EXP, GL
Four weeks in Costa Rica
Professor Jeff Barnett

Students spend four weeks in Nicoya, Costa Rica -- the cultural capital of the Guanacaste province, situated between the Pacific to the west, mountains to the east, and the Nicaraguan border to the north. SPAN 165 and SPAN 201 are designed to improve grammar and vocabulary of the Intermediate to Advanced student through intensive language training, including full immersion practices, a Spanish-only policy, an individual home-stay with a Costa Rican family, extended hours of tailored tutoring, and close instruction (only two to three fellow students per instructor). The cultural component includes readings and visits to sites of cultural interest, such as excursions to Monteverde Cloud Forest and Arenal volcano, Palo Verde National Park, and Sámara beach, among others.

*SPAN 165 (FDR-FL, EXP, GL): Prerequisites -- Departmental Consent as a result of placement examination in SPAN 164 or by instructor consent. Students may not receive degree credit for both SPAN 162/164 and 165. Students meet five days per week for four hours in the morning and two additional hours in the afternoon.

SPAN 201 (EXP, GL): Prerequisites -- SPAN 162, 164 or equivalent. Students meet five days per week. In lieu of afternoon classes, however, advanced students participate in a community-based service-learning component as a volunteer at the primary or high school, Senior assisted living center, courthouse, or local businesses, among others.

Program Fee (Paid to W&L): $3,398
Includes programming, room, some meals, fees, ground transportation.

Additional costs: airfare, books, some meals, cell phone, spending money, COVID-19 testing.

Please click the "Start New Application" button to start an application. Please click the "Resume Application" button to access an application you've already started. Please do not open multiple applications for the same program. 

OR

 Applications open October 9th, 2021

For further details, please contact Professor Barnett (barnettj@wlu.edu).