PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Costa Rica study abroad experience is a component of the Bilingual Emphasis Course Sequence (BECS) in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at West Chester University. Students will engage in Spanish language immersion, classroom learning, and clinical learning activities in collaboration with Costa Rican students. They will also participate in a variety of cultural activities. Graduate and undergraduate students will receive clinical practicum experiences in speech-language pathology at various clinical sites in San José. The collaborating university is Universidad Santa Paula, Costa Rica. 
 
LOCATION
This program will be divided into two parts:
- a portion will be taught abroad, in San José, Costa Rica (May 14-26)
- a portion of the course (including debriefing) will be taught at WCU (May 27th)
 
ACCOMMODATION
All participants will stay in double-occupancy rooms at local hotels for the duration of the Costa Rica portion of the program

LANGUAGE
This course will be taught primarily in English.  However, participants should have completed at least the equivalent of SPA 201 at the college level.
 
ELIGIBILITY
Priority will be given to Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate students and undergraduate students. However, other West Chester University students are encouraged to apply. Undergraduate students must be seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Preference will be given to students with at least Spanish 201 completed.

COURSE
All participants will be enrolled in a 3-credit hour course for this program - Graduate students will take SLP 598 and undergraduate students will take CSD 498. 
 
EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE EXCURSIONS:
Hacienda La Chimba 
Baldi Hot Springs 
Vista los Sueños Aventure Park 
San José Walking Tour 

PROGRAM COSTS*
In addition to the regular WCU tuition rates for the 3-credit hour course, all participants will pay a program fee of $2,490, which includes all housing, some meals, excursions, and in-country transportation. All participants will also be billed a non-refundable $100 study abroad application fee through the Bursar's office upon applying to this program and will be required to purchase the mandatory WCU international insurance (estimated at $35) after acceptance into the program. 

Not included in the program fee listed above are the round-trip airfare to Costa Rica (estimated at $850), additional meals not provided by the program (estimated at $400), passport fees (estimated $110), and books ($65). Also not included in the cost of the program and solely the responsibility of the student are are all costs related to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and/or quarantine (if required at the time of travel).
*Please note that all costs are estimates and subject to change.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Patricia Swasey Washington
pswaseywashington@wcupa.edu