International Sustainable Development
Spring Quarter in Costa Rica 2008
Application Deadline November 16
This spring quarter 2008 program continues on-going UW assessment of the ecological resources of a new national park, the effects of the park on development in the local communities, and issues of international sustainable development. The program consists of 15 integrated credits that link biological, physical and community assessment approaches. Credit can be given for courses that students require or for the 4 courses listed below or some combination.
There is also a mandatory 1 credit class that meets once a week throughout Winter quarter. The class helps prepare students for life in another culture and exposes them to concepts and activities that will take place once in Costa Rica.
The program is based at Rancho Mastatal (www.ranchomastatal.com),
an environmental learning center in the rural community of Mastatal in the Pacific
lowlands of central Costa Rica. Mastatal, a small (pop: 160) agricultural
community located approximately 2.5 hours SSW from San Jose in the Pacific lowlands
of central Costa Rica, is situated adjacent to the newly designated La Cangreja
National Park.
The program also includes stays at other sites in Costa Rica.This years travel agenda is not yet finalized. In years past we have visited :
Palo Verde, an Organization for Tropical Studies research station (http://www.ots.duke.edu/en/paloverde/),
Hacienda Baru, a private natural reserve (http://www.haciendabaru.com/),
Durika, a remote sustainable community (http://www.durika.org/)
Monteverde (http://www.mvinstitute.org/newpages/)
Students in the program maintain their UW residency and any financial aid eligibility already established. Credits earned are recorded on students' UW transcripts may be applied to UW graduation requirements. The program meets NW and I&S general education requirements. The program also fulfills POE and ESRM Capstone or matrix requirements.
Further questions about the program can be answered by Professor Susan Bolton, Program Director, sbolton@u.washington.edu or Debra Salas-Haynes, College of Forest Resources Student Services dtsh@u.washington.edu
Courses
Credit can be given for courses that students require or for the courses listed below or some combination. We can work with your program to identify which requirements the program may fulfill for you. The program meets NW, I&S general education requirements and may meet VLPA requirements depending on activities. The program also fulfills POE and ESRM capstone or matrix requirements. Historically credits have been given for ESRM 489 (Foreign Study), ESRM 490 (Special Topics), ESRM 496 (Senior Thesis), ESRM 499 (Undergraduate Research), SISLA 490 (Special Topics) ,various POE credits, BIOL 493, SIS 399.
Environmental Assessment (4cr.NW)
Professors Susan Bolton, Nacho Escorriola (a Costa Rican native) and a TA.
This course introduces students to Costa Rican natural history and teaches students
how to collect and analyze ecological data.
Students will learn the basics of tropical forest and stream ecosystems including
how, why and where to sample and assess forests, streams, and
aquatic organisms.
Learning activities include: 1) water quantity and quality sampling, 2) aquatic
organism collection and identification, 3) forest measurements, and 4) soil sampling.
Community Assessment (4 cr. I&S)
Professor Susan Bolton, Tim O'Hara, a Mastatal resident, and Nacho Escorriola.
This course exposes students to the issues of sustainable development, land
preservation, restoration, and ecotourism in an international setting.
The course introduces students to the social and cultural conditions in Costa
Rica. Students will live in a small rural community and experience first-hand
the effects on a small community of suddenly having a national park declared
next door. Students will learn about current community conditions, assess future
needs, sustainable agriculture and accompanying sustainable development.
Learning activities include: 1) readings and discussions on Costa Rica, sustainable development, and ecotourism, 2) interaction
with the community including helping them in their daily work, 3) hands-on experience in community needs and issues including sustainable design/build projects 4) visits to organic coffee farms.
Introduction to Ecoregions of Costa Rica
(2 cr.NW)
Professor Susan Bolton and various local Costa Rican experts
This course will introduce students to the amazing range of ecosystems in the
tiny country of Costa Rica. You will be able to compare and contrast not only the ecology of these regions, but also how different locations and entities have chosen to interact with the environment and different paths of development and ecotourism.
Learning activities include: 1) personal observation of many ecoregions in Costa
Rica and 2) discussions and presentations of similarities and differences among ecoregions 3) observing how different areas have dealt with tourism and development.
Independent Study or Service Learngin (1-5 cr. NW, I&S or VLPA)
Students will either choose a biological, physical, engineering, social or cultural project that can be researched and
completed during their time in Costa Rica or select from one of several opportunities
for service learning. These include (but are not limited to) teaching english or math in the local schools, teaching english or math to adults, working with children and adults on herbal medicine collections or local insect collections, contributing to natural building projects at Rancho Mastatal and in the community.
Eligibility
There will be 12 to 14 students chosen to participate in this class. Undergraduate and graduate students in environmental-related programs, including engineering or with interests in Latin America, ecotourism and sustainable development are invited to apply. Participants are selected on the basis of scholarship, preparation, interest, motivation, and emotional maturity. No previous language or experience is required, though a willingness for hard physical activity is necessary and familiarity with at least basic Spanish is a plus. UW Spanish through Spanish 103 is recommended.
Applications are available from the College of Forest Resources student advising office, Anderson 115 or here.
Application Deadline
Deadline for applying is November 16, 2007.
Applications can be sent to Susan Bolton, Box 352100, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100.
Financial Aid
Most forms of financial aid can be utilized during participation in the program. Participants who are on financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office to verify that their awards will apply. For more information about Financial Aid, please visit: http://ipe.washignton.edu.
Cost
The departmental program fee is $3600. The program fee covers instructional costs and all programatic in-country travel, food and housing. Students must also pay an IPE fee of $200 to the Office of International Programs and Exchanges.
Upon acceptance to the program, students will be required to sign a payment contract in which they commit to participate in the program and agree to pay the above-outlined fees. Payments will be charged to the participants' UW student account and will be payable to UW Student Fiscal Services in 129 Schmitz Hall or via MyUW according to the payment schedule shown below.
Non-UW students and out-of-state students pay the same price as in-state UW students. Non-UW students will be enrolled as non-matriculated students and receive an official UW transcript.
Total Cost: $3600 + the $200 IPE fee + airfare + personal spending money
Airfare varies from under $300 to $700.
Payment schedule
$ 350 deposit due December 14, 2007
$ 500 program fee payment due January 25, 2008
$ 2750 program fee balance due April 18, 2008
$200 IPE fee due April 18, 2008
TOTAL COST $3800
This includes tuition and all program related in-country travel, food and lodging.
Total does not include airfare, health insurance or personal spending money!
Refund Schedule:
The $350 deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. Any student withdrawing from the program after
January 25, 2008 will be liable for any non-recoverable payments already made or committed
on behalf of the participant, which could range up to the entire program
fee.
Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing to the Susan Bolton and the Office of International Programs and Exchanges.
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