Psychology for Teaching and Learning in Costa Rica (EDUC 330 and EDUC 332)
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:
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