ACADEMIC CREDIT PACKET

Contents

2 Why you may qualify for academic credit 3 Option 1: Western State Colorado University 4 Option 2: Independent Study

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WHY YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT Educational Philosophies Rationale for Academic Credit Costa Rica courses are based An Outward Bound Costa Rica course gives on the educational pedagogy of the founder of you a safe, supportive environment in which to Outward Bound and Harvard Graduate School study the lands and cultures of Central Amer- Education, which bridges the gap between ica. Students participating in the course have exploration and education. The Expeditionary unique access to the people and places in Learning Schools’ curriculum development al- Costa Rica, , and . lows students to explore and preserve the Your course takes you into the wilderness and foundation of traditional academics on a non- local villages and pushes you to develop cogni- traditional journey. tive skills as well as psychomotor and affective Outward Bound Costa Rica semester courses skills. For example, as you experience direct create an environment for students to learn consequences for your choices while rafting, through personal experience. The pedagogical you strengthen your decision-making process. foundation is one that demands personal You’ll learn the importance of addressing local reflection, group communication, cultural community needs through service projects, the sensitivity, mental expansion, and physical com- value of effective communication while assisting mitment. fellow students rappelling down a waterfall, and develop an understanding of ecology through hiking in the rainforest. Furthermore, you will see first-hand the ramifications that inter- Cognitive Skills national economics have on small village communities and the effects of deforestation. • Reading of required texts on anthropology, natural history and sustainable development Psychomotor Skills Affective Skills • Discussion of tropical ecology, • Rainforest navigation & travel • Completing seemingly zoology, botany, agriculture insurmountable tasks and environmental issues from • Whitewater raft guiding and both scientific and metaphysical rescue • Contributing personal skills to group efforts perspectives • Minimal impact camping • Understanding of native Costa • Developing leadership skills • Scuba diving Rican cultures through • Communicating effectively homestays and interviews • Rainforest canopy ziplining • Communication in Spanish • Rappelling and backpacking

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OPTION 1: WESTERN STATE COLORADO UNIVERSITY

Our partnership with Western State Colorado Western State Colorado University charges a University (WSCU) is recommended for high fee per credit. It accepts financial aid through school graduates and enrolled college students. the Free Application for Federal Student Aid It provides an alternative if your academic (FAFSA) as well as a number of other organiza- institution will not accept independent study to tions and specialized educational funds. obtain transfer credits. If you are committed to enrolling in an Outward This option provides schools an official tran- Bound Costa Rica semester course, you can script from a US accredited university. The register for credits through Extended Studies at transcript is on a 4.0 grade scale, and credit is Western State Colorado University by filling earned for Recreation and out their registration packet and submitting it 397 (ROE) from an Outward Bound School. to [email protected]. The transcript will show 10 or 12 credits de- For questions about WSCU’s program, please pending upon your participation in one of contact Western's Extended Studies Outdoor OBCR’s semester course. Before registering Program Department by calling 970.943.2885 with WSCU, we strongly recommend that you or emailing [email protected]. confirm in writing with your academic advisor that these credits will transfer.

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OPTION 2: INDEPENDENT STUDY

If you choose this option, start early! Not all Work with your academic advisor to design a institutions accept this option. project that is intriguing to you and that is rele- vant to your Outward Bound Costa Rica We highly suggest you consult with your aca- demic advisor to ensure that independent course. We encourage students to be creative study credits will transfer before arriving on and original in choosing a topic, research course. methods and final presentation. You will work with your advisor to create a The receipt and transfer of all academic credit is project or decide the parameters of a paper to at the discretion of the school, college or be completed after your semester course in university you attend or plan to attend. Making exchange for credit. This is an opportunity that arrangements for academic credit is your requires you to show initiative and one that responsibility and should be arranged prior to you will have to rigorously pursue while you course. We highly recommend that you docu- are on course. We recommend getting all re- ment all visits to your academic advisor, regis- quirements and details in writing. trar, or head of school and secure any agreements that are made regarding credit transfer in writing.

Academic Transcript from Outward Bound Costa Rica Students pursuing independent study will receive an official pass/fail transcript issued by Outward Bound Costa Rica for either 10 or 12 credits depending on the course your choose in Cultural Anthropology, Natural History, and Recreational Leadership, as well as a written review of their performance on course.

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