UGA Costa Rica Office

Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Tina Maria Harris See Dr. Harris's bio here.

Course List - NO PREREQUISITES!

The goal of this course is to extend knowledge and understanding of race relations. Students learn theories and concepts about race as a social construction and its implications for interpersonal communication between racially (and ethnically) different individuals. Students will move from thinking about race to applying what they have learned to real world experiences. Understanding of the reality of race and racialized experiences that exist beyond the borders of the U. S. will be the challenge students face. They will be engaged in field studies and self-reflective activities and assignments that explore race, racism, ethnicity, racial identity construction, and interracial communication as they relate to Costa Rica as a global market. Using a cultural lens, this course will aim to deconstruct the way we think about race as a global social phenomenon that has significantly impacted various cultures existent within Costa Rica. Immersing ourselves in the culture will offer insight into and understanding of how race has evolved over time into a social ideology that continues to divide ethnic groups according to phenotypic (i.e., physical) features (i.e., skin color, nose, bone structure).

SPCM 4930: Directed Study in Speech Communication

Excursions
During this program, students will explore multiple regions of 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 begin the program based in the Central Valley region, near the capital city, San Jose. Students will then travel to the Caribbean coast, UGA's Costa Rica Campus in San Luis de Monteverde, and finally the northwestern province of Guanacaste.

Costs
The program costs approximately $2800 plus in-state UGA tuition and fees.

The cost of the program covers lodging and three meals per day, study abroad insurance, in-country transportation on program excursions and programmed group activities, and entry fees to national parks, museums, etc. included in the program itinerary. Additional costs include personal items, airfare, and departure tax upon leaving Costa Rica.

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

Payment Methods & Schedule
The program fees will be charged to your student account. You may pay online with a credit card or mail a check to the Office of the Bursar. Access your student account here.

Payment Deadline	Balance Due	Information
March 5th	$300	Deposit due with application.
March 31st	$1250	After this date students who withdraw from the program will be responsible to cover program setup costs that have been spent on the student's behalf, i.e. hotel reservation, transportation and other payments to local vendors.
April 30th	$1250	Final balance due.

Through the UGA Costa Rica Office flexible payment options for program fees are available. The balance MUST BE PAID IN FULL before your program's departure. Please contact Sarah McQuade for more information at 706-425-3316.

Tuition is not included in the program fee and will be posted to your student account as well. If you receive a scholarship or financial aid please notify the UGA Costa Rica Office if any payments will need to be submitted after the deadlines. Tuition payments must be paid in full a week before your program's departure.

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

Non-UGA 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 and a $300 deposit payable to UGA Costa Rica 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 12 qualified students.

Target Dates / Deadlines
Application & $300 deposit deadline: March 5th, 2010

Final Balance Due: April 30th, 2010