Health and Human Services in Costa Rica: Interprofessional Perspective

Summer 2012: May 12 to June 8 (tentative dates)

Information Sessions:
December 6, 2011 at 4 p.m. in HHS 2210
December 7, 2011 at 4 p.m. in Taylor 402
December 7, 2011 at 6 p.m. in HHS 2202

Program Location

Pura Vida! Costa Ricans often use this expression in their greetings and farewells. Pura Vida conveys Costa Rica values of living a full life, enjoying community, and celebrating caring relationships. Costa Rica is a strikingly beautiful country where you can zip-line through the rain forest, stand on the rim of an active volcano, and relax on the beach all in one day.

Academic Program

In this 4-credit, 4-week inter-professional course, students from various majors will explore the health care needs and the health and human services delivery system in Costa Rica, which boasts the highest levels of health and happiness in Central America. Highlights include: Visits to public and private hospitals, clinics, schools in the San Jose area, immersion in project based learning in a Nicaraguan refugee settlement, home visits with a primary health care team, speakers who explain Costa Rican culture, history, and health care issues, excursions including downtown San Jose and an indigenous shaman (healer), and Spanish study with a practical conversational focus.

Students will compare and contrast issues (such as immigration, ethnic diversity, and the environment) and professional roles that impact health in the US and Costa Rica. There will be many opportunities to experience the spectacular tropical beauty of Costa Rica. This dual level course can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit.

Instructional methods include team field work, guided tours, lectures, self-reflection, and the development of a project that is responsive to community.

Tentative course offerings:

• HHS 490/590- An Interprofessional Perspective (4)
• NRS 490/ 590- An Interprofessional Perspective (4)

Accommodations

Students will reside with host families in San Jose, Costa Rica. Meals and transportation to field/clinical sites will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

For More Information

For additional information about this program, please contact the program director:

Monty Gross
Department of Nursing
Tel: 540-568-8914
E-mail: grossmd@jmu.edu

Linda Sobel
Department of Nursing
Tel: 540-568-8914
E-mail: sobelll@jmu.edu