Office of Study Abroad

 
Program Highlights

• Expand your teaching knowledge and skills through immersion in the Costa Rican culture and the school environment of the American International School. Learn about yourself, your community, children, and Costa Rica with the aim of becoming a highly effective teacher!
• Live in the charming neighborhood of Ciudad Cariari, centrally located in the heart of Costa Rica and 11 miles from the capitol city of San Jose. Live in an apartment with classmates, just a 15-minute walk from shops and restaurants and a 5-minute walk from the American International School, where you complete Field Experience II.
• Prerequisites: EDUC 210 (for education majors), Prerequisite waived for non-education majors
• Fulfills: EDUC330 and EDUC332

Course Description
Live, learn, teach, and explore in Costa Rica! Complete required education courses, Psychology for Teaching and Learning and Field Experience II and become immersed in Costa Rican culture, apply course concepts in an international setting, tour local cultural and ecological sites, and teach in a K-12 classroom at the American International School of Costa Rica.
 
Program Structure
Classes begin in St. Paul and continue in Costa Rica.  Class sessions in Costa Rica will be held in a comfortable environment in the warm and arid temperatures of Ciudad Cariari. Students complete Field Experience II in the American International School by working full time with a mentor teacher and their students for two weeks.

Evaluation
20%     Teaching Collaboratives
20%     Key Assessment Lesson Plan
15%     Professional behaviors
10%     Child Development Assignment
10%     Teaching Analysis Assignment
10%     Learning Theory Observation
10%     Written reflections
5%       Who Am I? Collage

Location and Tentative Dates
Jan 4              Pre-departure meeting at UST, class in St. Paul
Jan 6              Class in St. Paul
Jan 9              Class in St. Paul
Jan 10            Travel to Ciudad Cariari via San Jose, Costa Rica 
Jan 11            Classes begin in Ciudad Cariari. Visit cultural attractions in capitol city of San Jose.
Jan 12            Field Experience with K-12 teachers begins
Jan 15             Excursion to the beach
Jan 17             Field Experience with K-12 students begins             
Jan 21             Excursion to Arenal Volcano
Jan 26             Field Experience ends. Final assignments due.
Jan 27             Return home
 
Maximum Program Enrollment:
Due to accommodation availability, program enrollment is capped at 20 students. However, the final number may be smaller due to the number of field placements available at the American International School (AIS) of Costa Rica and the licensure area of each applicant that applies to the program. AIS has room to accommodate the following placements:
 
K-6 Elementary education majors:

• 10 placements

5-12 Secondary education majors:

• 3 Math placements
• 3 Science placements
• 3 Spanish Language placements
• 1-2 English Language Arts placements
• 1-2 Social Studies placements
• 1 Music placement
• 2 additional placements

Please reach out to the faculty program directors with any questions.

Housing and Meals
Stay in apartments with full kitchens so you can prepare your own lunches and dinners. Walk to local restaurants and grocery stores. Breakfast is provided and, for roughly $6, you can purchase lunch, Costa Rican style, at the American International School.

Cost
Click on the Program Cost link above for detailed cost information.
Total cost includes: tuition, transportation and course arrangements as indicated, hotel accommodations and some meals.

Program Specific Criteria:

• What is your intended licensure area? For example, "k-6 elementary education" or "5-12 mathematics education."
• Have you been accepted into the education major?

Application Procedures & Deadline

• Select the Apply Now button at the top to start your online application.
• Log in using your St. Thomas username and password.
• Complete all application materials by the application deadline. Students are encouraged to apply during the priority enrollment period, April 1-10. Applications will be accepted after April 10 for programs with space still remaining until the final application deadline of October 1.
• Download and read Short-Term Off-Campus Policies and Procedures.  You are responsible for reading, understanding and abiding by its content.

Priority Application Deadline: April 10, 2022
Final Application Deadline: October 1, 2022
 
Financial Aid/Scholarships
Students studying abroad during J-Term are generally only eligible for additional loans to help finance their study abroad costs. Please review Financial Aid for Study Abroad. Scholarships may also be available from St. Thomas and some Other Approved Programs. Please refer to our Scholarships webpage for details and review Short-Term Off-Campus Policies and Procedures for additional financial aid information.

For more information
On course content, contact the program directors:
Prof. Deb Pitton (deb.pitton@stthomas.edu)
Prof. Muffet Trout (trout@stthomas.edu)
                                           
On application procedures or logistical information, contact:
Office of Study Abroad | University of St. Thomas
Murray-Herrick 212 | 651.962.6450 | studyabroad@stthomas.edu | stthomas.edu/studyabroad