Incorporating Curriculum into Faculty-Led Abroad Immersion

Programs

May Semester in Costa Rica Aggie Johnson Academy 10

On a Personal Note ò  I travel extensively in North America, South America, and Europe.

ò  I have taught, developed, organized, and directed study abroad programs in Costa Rica and Peru for Flagler College since 2005.

ò  I continually question how to make these programs more relevant and meaningful.

ò  I am committed to choosing the best program location and local partner for Flagler College.

ò  I work to match specific courses to the location, type of course and student educational level. Examples: Peru Myths and Legend of the Hispanic World; Costa Rica Telling Stories: Hispanic Short Stories, Latin America through Film, and Literature and Environment.

Program Overview (Total of 7 credits)

SPA 340 Selected Topic Course (3)

Selected Readings: Popol Vuh; Colombus;

Neruda; Sepúlveda

Volunteering http://www.xtremas.org

http://www.thearaproject.org

Weekend Visits:

Parks of Arenal, Poás, Monteverde, La Paz

Intercultura (4)

Language Instruction

Logistics

Learning Outcomes for SPA 340

ò  Develop skills in expressing oneself orally or in writing. You will improve your own speaking and writing skills through practice as well as learn how to prepare and present a coherent presentation using the Spanish language.

ò  Gain a broader understanding and appreciation of the natural environment as a living entity that influences Central American culture and literature (through readings and field observations).

ò  Learn to apply course material. You will have multiple opportunities to put knowledge you have acquired into direct practice as you use the Spanish language to communicate with the host family and/or members of rural community during volunteering activities.

• 20% • 30%

• 40% • 10%

Journal Reading Reviews

Class Participation

Final Presentation

(Including all components)

Assessment for SPA 340

Final Thoughts

ò  Orientation before departure is crucial in my experience over the years. It is important to repeat program information as many times and in as many ways as possible. Experience teaches me that students have “selected hearing.”

ò  Assessment of learning objectives is an on-going necessity and perhaps they are not always achieved. However, when I hear a student speak who never pronounced a word in my class before, I know our efforts were worth it!

ò  Do I believe there is always room for improvement? Definitely! Evaluation and observation often provide helpful insights. It is, however, equally important to remember and build on successful experiences.

ò  Questions?

“…nothing so liberalizes a man and expends the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people.”

- Mark Twain