Global Health: Costa Rica

Global Health: Costa Rica• What is the program about?• Coursework• Activities & Excursions• Accommodations• Program Fee/Finance Planning• Application process

What is the program about?This program is about Global Health with a focus on poorer countries facing huge health challenges. Costa Rica provides an excellent case study of a relatively poor country that gives priority to its people and the environment over making money. The results of the Costa Rican emphasis on education, recreation, healthcare and environmental protection, in terms of health and wellbeing, are remarkable. In fact, Costa Ricans enjoy better health and longer lives than Americans.

Students will• Take an intensive conversational Spanish course• Attend seminars provided by local healthcare professionals• Visit healthcare facilities and schools

CourseworkGlobal Health Trends and Local Impacts examines the health of the world’s populations, focusing mainly on the developing world.  The social determinants of health will be emphasized through a study of global health disparities and the contextual factors underlying those disparities. The course addresses the themes of: health services research theory and methods social epidemiology and population health sustainability,

social justice and the health of populations contextual influences on human health how public policies and programs affect human health

Activities & Excursions

There are opportunities to:- Work with local children (e.g. soccer clinics, English lessons)

- Participate in ecological projects (e.g. rainforest rehabilitation, turtle beach restoration)

- Surf, snorkel, scuba dive and explore the beaches and rainforest.

- Hike or ride (horseback) to the local falls pictured here

- Experience weekend visits to cloud forests, Arenal volcano and west coast ecological parks.

Three weeks in Costa RicaMay 4: Arrival into San Jose, Costa Rica and onward travel by bus to Dominical, welcome and orientation

Week 1: Seminar (in English) on Costa Rica’s health and social service system, intensive Spanish classes, first week of classes in HEAL307, Global Health                            Week 2: Seminar (in Spanish) on public health in Costa Rica, visit to local health care centre, second week of classes in HEAL 307, Global Health

Week 3: Seminar (in Spanish) on public health in Costa Rica, visit Finca Ipe, third week of classes in HEAL 307, Global Health

May 23-24: Return to San Jose, overnight, course ends

Finca Ipe

AccommodationsHomestay: • “The houses are rustic, but clean and the

families are very welcoming. Most of the families are located in the small community of Dominicalito, which is 2 miles south of Dominical on the coast.”

• All students will be immersed in a Spanish household

• Possibility of two students together

Program Fee/Finance PlanningProgram Fee $2,000Includes:• Accommodations (Dominical and San Jose)• Two meals a day• Transportation to Dominical from San Jose and

return• In-country transportation• Field trips and cultural activities• Intensive Spanish language training• $384.25 Go Global Fee

Program Fee/Finance PlanningProgram Fee $2,000Does not include:• Round-trip air tickets (Approx. $1200-$1400) • UBC tuition for 1 course• Immunizations (if necessary)• Visas (if necessary)• Health or travel insurance• Personal spending money and phone calls• Weekend trips and recreation (weekends are free

time)

Program Fee/Finance PlanningGo Global Award of $1,000• 70% average in your best 24 credits (8

courses)• Looking at your 2012-13 year – so last

year!• No Fails or Standing Defers• Deposited in March directly to your

SSC

Program Fee/Finance PlanningHow the Program Fee is paid1. Deposit in early December ($500)

1. - flight purchase ideally between Dec-Feb

2. Second payment in late January ($750)3. Third payment in late February ($750)

Application process

• Deadline: November 20th

• Application is 100% online• Respond to all questions on the application• You may be asked for an interview• Students notified between November 25-29

Pre-departure

• One day session on campus in Term 2• Preparation for your three weeks in Costa

Rica• Meet all other students in the program

Questions?

Program Director• Alan Davidson (alan.davidson@ubc.ca)

Go Global Coordinator• Dana Lowton (dana.lowton@ubc.ca)