Costa Rica 2012
Session 1 Course Dates
June 3-16, 2012
(An additional session can be added if enrollment is sufficient.)
Instructor - Alejandro "Alex" Ramirez, DVM, MPH Diplomate, ACVPM
Assistant Professor, Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine
Expertise/Research area: Zoonotic diseases and public health, swine production medicine
ramireza@iastate.edu Office phone: (515) 294-7463.
This course is for you if you want to:
- Improve your Spanish, especially knowledge of veterinary terms
- Care for rescued animals in a local wildlife rehabilitation facility and volunteer center
- See how small and large animal medicine is practiced in another country
- Stay with a family and really see how the local "tico" people live
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrive in Costa Rica and transfer to Proyecto Asis, settle into homestay
Day 2
- Morning - Spanish classes (placement is based on Spanish proficiency)
- Afternoon - Cultural Brief: An introduction to the Costa Rican lifestyle, customs, and traditions
Day 3
- Morning - Spanish classes
- Afternoon - Visit local small animal veterinary clinic
Day 4
- Morning - Spanish classes
- Afternoon - Volunteer at Asis wild animal rescue center
Day 5
- Morning - Spanish classes
- Afternoon - Briefing: Importance of the cattle industry in Costa Rica
- Evening - Salsa classes
Day 6
- Morning - Spanish Classes
- Afternoon - Castration Orientation/practice suturing techniques
Day 7
- Castration Day - Work with Asis veterinarian Don Jaime to spay and neuter local animals at a discounted rate
- After castration day have a group dinner at Happy Land restaurant
Day 8
- Spend the day in La Fortuna: Activities can include ziplining, canyoneering, horseback riding, shopping and a volcanic hike
Day 9
- La Fortuna
Day 10
- Morning - Visit La Subasta (cattle auction) and horse barn
- Afternoon - Costa Rican cooking classes: Tamales
Day 11
- Field trip to a dairy farm
- Evening salsa classes and enjoy tamales from yesterday
Day 12
- Morning - Visit el matadero (slaughterhouse, beef and pork)
- Afternoon - Volunteer at Asis wild animal rescue center
Day 13
- Field trip to a local cattle operation
- Farewell party
Day 14 Return to the US
Host Family
You will stay for two weeks with a local Tico family and will share a room with one or two of your classmates. Your Tico family will feed you three delicious meals a day, do your laundry, and teach you all about the culture and daily life of Costa Rica. Chances are no one in your family will speak English, so you will be able to practice your Spanish and use what you learn in your classes in your every day life.
Spanish Classes
Your Spanish classes are taught outside in a rain forest setting. You will be placed in Spanish classes according to your claimed proficiency so beginners will not have the pressure of learning with near-fluent speakers. You'll learn veterinary terminology and other useful words and phrases. Anything you want to learn, your teacher will tell you, so ask plenty of questions.
Work hard, play hard
You'll have an opportunity to do some hiking and choose from activities such as canyoneering, ziplining and horseback riding during your free weekend in La Fortuna. You'll also have time to shop in the local markets, explore the souvenir shops and hang out in local establishments to mingle with the Ticos and Ticas.
This 3-credit elective course is comprised of a 15-hour pre-departure course in Spring 2012 in addition to the two weeks in-country. Students will be graded on their class participation, a presentation on a topic of the instructor's choosing, and a post-trip interview. In order to be considered for this trip, students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA at the time of application and departure.
Cost Breakdown (Estimated*)
Program fee**: $3000
Tuition + Fees: $2500***
Total: $5500
*Please Note: All costs are estimated and could change based on airfare, currency conversion rates and increases in tuition and fees.
**Program Costs include all lodging, meals, airfare, entrance fees, and incidentals.
***Please note that upon successful completion of the course, tuition-paying students will receive a $1000 scholarship from the College to be applied to their fall U-bill. Non-resident students who choose to take more than one study abroad trip in one summer will pay non-resident tuition and will only receive the $1000 scholarship once per year. The scholarship can be awarded in consecutive years but no more than once per year.
For more information on this program or any of the Group Study Abroad opportunities offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine, contact Katie Davidson at katied@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-1501.
