Associated Colleges of the Midwest Costa Rica: Community Engagement in Public Health, Education, & the Environment Student Handbook Fall 2017 Beloit Carleton Coe Colorado Cornell Grinnell Knox Lake Forest Lawrence Luther Macalester Monmouth Ripon St. Ola 1 Table of Contents Welcome and Program Overview ...................................................................................................................... 5 Program Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Fall 2017 Schedule ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Academics ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Learning Objectives and Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 8 Spanish in Context: Introduction to Costa Rica ........................................................................................... 8 Community Engagement in Costa Rica ...................................................................................................... 8 Spanish Language and Culture .................................................................................................................. 9 21st Century Central American and Caribbean Film ................................................................................... 9 Climate Change: Applications to Costa Rica from a Global Perspective ..................................................... 9 Impact of Education in Costa Rica ............................................................................................................ 10 The Impact of the Health System in Costa Rica ........................................................................................ 10 Nicaragua .................................................................................................................................................... 10 Credits and Grades ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Expected Participation ................................................................................................................................. 11 Preparing to go and Arrival .............................................................................................................................. 11 Pre-Departure Orientation & Communication ............................................................................................... 11 Passport and Visa ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Arrival in San José ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Communication ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Mail and Packages ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Computers ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Telephones .................................................................................................................................................. 13 Money .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Packing Considerations ................................................................................................................................... 15 What to Bring ............................................................................................................................................... 15 Clothing........................................................................................................................................................ 15 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Suggested Packing List ................................................................................................................................ 16 Documents ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Clothing .................................................................................................................................................... 16 Personal and Miscellaneous Items ........................................................................................................... 17 ACM Building ................................................................................................................................................... 18 Use of Spanish............................................................................................................................................. 19 Host Country Information ................................................................................................................................. 19 2 Cultural Adjustment ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Cultural Considerations ................................................................................................................................ 22 Food ............................................................................................................................................................ 24 Extra-curricular Activities .............................................................................................................................. 25 Courtesy in Costa Rica ................................................................................................................................ 25 Before You Go ............................................................................................................................................. 27 Cultural Learning ............................................................................................................................................. 28 Homestays ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Social Life While Living with Your Costa Rican Host Family ..................................................................... 30 Public Transportation and Travel ..................................................................................................................... 31 Insurance, Health, and Safety.......................................................................................................................... 32 Insurance ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 Health .......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Medications and Other Medical Preparation ................................................................................................. 34 Medical Services .......................................................................................................................................... 34 Psychological Counseling ............................................................................................................................ 35 Safety .......................................................................................................................................................... 35 Crime and Random Violence .................................................................................................................... 35 Motor Vehicles .......................................................................................................................................... 36 Risky Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Communication and Emergencies ................................................................................................................ 36 Independent Travel ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Alcohol and Drug Use .................................................................................................................................. 37 Alcohol ..................................................................................................................................................... 37 Drugs........................................................................................................................................................ 37 Legal and Ethical