The Franklin Spring semester offers all levels of students (freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors) and a wide variety of majors the chance to study in Costa Rica. Students can fulfill core curriculum requiremetns and engage in language and cultural immersion through homestays with Costa Rican families.

UGA Costa Rica Campus
Students are based at UGA’s beautiful campus at the head of the San Luis Valley adjacent to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. The campus is high enough in elevation to offer a temperate climate year-round. On-site nature trails can be explored, horse-back rides take students throughout San Luis, a natural pool formed by a 80m waterfall can be found after a short hike through the forest, and classes are taught in open-air classrooms and via "living classroom" excursions.

With wide verandas overlooking the Valley, a dining room with soaring ceilings, library and computer facilities, the student union is a popular place to congregate. Participants enjoy three fresh meals each day (included in the total cost of the program) and are housed in spacious bungalows nested into the landscape, each with its own private bath. All rooms are doubles.

Faculty Spotlight
Scott Connelly See Connelly's bio here.

Erin Beltran Mitchelson See Mitchelson's bio here.

Dr. John Pickering  See Dr. Pickering's bio here.

Dr. Jim Porter  See Dr. Porter's bio here.

Dr. Jim Whitney    See Dr. Whitney's bio here.

Dr. Sandy Whitney  See Dr. Whitney's bio here.

Course List

Students can earn 12-18 hours of UGA resident course credits.

Guatemala Field Exploration (optional) - dates Jan. 6-13, 2009
This excursion is an intensive field experience of Mayan past and Mayan present from January 6-13, 2009.  Participants spend the first half of the excursion with one of the leading archaeological guides in the region exploring the Tikal and Yaxja ruins, including observing sunrise and sunset atop Temple 4 in Tikal.  From there, students spend 3 full days with a modern-day Mayan shaman, visiting multiple markets, Mayan ritual sites, and learning about Mayan culture past and present.  The shaman performs various ceremonies for the group at different sites.  Lodging includes 2 nights in the jungle at Tikal National Park and two nights in Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Check out the Guatemala Field Exploration Album here.

Guatemala Field Exploration cost -$1100
This price will increase slightly if the student enrollment is low. Enrollment for this optional field trip is limited to 12 participants.

Payment deadline - Nov. 14, 2008

Excursions
Throughout the semester, students will explore Costa Rica on group excursions. Activities included on the excursions are an integral part of course material and the overall study abroad experience. Students will hike the slopes of Arenal Volcano, learn about Costa Rica’s indigenous pottery, and observe the geology of the Pacuare River via a white-water rafting adventure. Students will be immersed in the marine enviornment at the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve. Other activities include cloud forest hikes, canopy ziplines, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Biodiversity Institute’s collection rooms.

Costs
Program costs - $6900
*If you submit a complete application by Oct. 1, 2008 you will receive a free iPod mini shuffleTM or $50 discount on the total program cost.

The cost of the program covers lodging, three meals per day, study abroad insurance, hotels, meals, entry fees, carbon offset and in-country transportation.

Airfare is paid separately by the students.

Tuition is paid separately to the UGA Bursar's Office. For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the UGA Bursar's web site at https://busfin1.busfin.uga.edu/bursar/schedule.cfm.

***Note: Out-of-state students pay in-state tuition.
The HOPE scholarship applies to study abroad tuition.

Non-UGA (Transient) Student Costs & Application
An additional application and $50 processing fee is required for non-UGA students to enroll. Click here for instructions. Contact the UGA Costa Rica Office to confirm when you have started the application process.

Non-UGA students (excluding USG and SEC students) will be charged $250, in addition to their tuition, which is assessed by the UGA Bursar's office.

Application Process
To apply, students must submit a complete application, transient application (if applicable) and a $300 deposit. Make the check or money order payable to UGA Costa Rica and deliver either in-person or by mail to the UGA Costa Rica Office, 110 E. Clayton St., Bank of America Building, 3rd Floor, Suite 316, Athens, GA 30602.

Enrollment is limted to 24 qualified students.

Target Dates / Deadlines
Early admission deadline - Oct. 1, 2008
Application deadline - Oct. 29, 2008
Extended deadline - Nov. 14, 2008
(application, transient application, & $300 deposit check or money order)

Payment for Guatemala Field Exploration - Nov. 14 , 2008
$1100 payment (check or money order)

First installment deadline - Nov. 14, 2008
$3200 program fee payment (check or money order)

Withdrawal deadline - Nov. 14, 2008
To receive deposit, applicants must withdraw on or before this date.

Second installment deadline: Dec. 1, 2008
$3200 program fee payment (check or money order)

Contact Us
Quint Newcomer, Director of UGA Costa Rica at 706-425-3317 or
Page McCormick, Assistant Director at 706-425-3318