International Social Work: A Costa Rican Perspective

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare offers BSW, MSW, and PhD students the opportunity to study abroad in San José, Costa Rica for the summer. International Social Work: A Costa Rican Perspective aims at providing students a general perspective on Social Work and Social Services in Costa Rica through lectures and field trips to communities, hospitals, and schools.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its natural beauty, extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, social and political stability, high educational levels, and efficient infrastructure and services. San José, Costa Rica’s capital, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. It lies in the Central Valley on a plain surrounded by large forested mountain ranges, some of which include active volcanoes, green savannahs, and working coffee plantations.

The University of Costa Rica

The Universidad de Costa Rica was established in 1843 under the name Universidad de Santo Tomás and was restructured in 1940 and re-named the Universidad de Costa Rica. It is the oldest and largest university in Costa Rica, with a population of 35,000 students.

The University of Kansas-Universidad de Costa Rica exchange program, initiated in 1958, is the oldest inter-university exchange of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Initiatives such as the collaborative short-term study abroad programs designed by the KU School of Social Welfare and the Universidad de Costa Rica build upon and strengthen the bond between the two universities.

Accommodations

Students are housed in double-occupancy rooms at a hotel close to the campus of the University of Costa Rica.

Dates

May 18 - 29, 2010

Eligibility

Open to BSW, MSW & Doctoral Students, and Social Work Practitioners. Minimum 2.5 GPA required (exceptions considered after submission of a petition).

There are no language requirements, though students with previous exposure to Spanish will find it helpful.

Credit

Three hours of credit or 45 CEU credits are granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program. Three hours may be applied towards the MSW degree requirements. Contact the School of Social Welfare for more information.

Cost: TBD (Summer 2009 costs are listed below)

Program Fee: $2,200 ($2,400 for non-KU students). The program fee includes fees, accommodations, some group meals, excursions, orientation, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, and administrative expenses.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated undergraduate tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $695. *

Estimated graduate tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $841.

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the student’s individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Additional costs: Airfare, meals, books, passport fees, and personal expenses.

Note

All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for summer financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited supplemental scholarships are available to KU undergraduates. Applications are available at the Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the scholarship application. The scholarship application deadline is March 1.

Non-KU students should check into the financial resources available to them at their home institutions.

Social Welfare Study Abroad Scholarships

The Dean of the School of Social Welfare has scholarships available for students in the School. To apply, please submit a one page statement which explains the connections/contributions that your study abroad program will make to your social work education. Submit the statement to Mary Ellen Kondrat, Dean of the School of Social Welfare, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, KS by March 1st.

Application Procedures

Application Deadline: March 1, 2010. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the application.

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.)

Useful Websites

Additional program information and course descriptions are available on the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare website at: www.socwel.ku.edu/academics/CostaRica/index.shtml

For more information contact:

Rick Spano, Associate Professor, Associate Dean
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
phone: 785-864-8971
e-mail: ricks@ku.edu

The University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad
Lippincott Hall
1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 108
Lawrence, KS 66045-7515
phone: 785-864-3742
fax: 785-864-5040
e-mail: osa@ku.edu