May Term 2013: Social Practice in Costa Rica

SWK3880-02/SWK6880-02  Travel/Study: Social Practice in Costa Rica: Language and Cultural Immersion                                           
3  semester hours

Students will spend 13 days in Costa Rica learning about the Latin American society and how to effectively communicate to Spanish speaking populations. Students will actively learn about how social work services are practiced in Latin America by visiting local schools and attending presentations given by social work providers. Students will have the opportunity to participate in local cultural activities and recreation.  Course objectives include:  students will increase their knowledge of Latino culture by taking language and cultural courses taught by native Costa Ricans and/or native Spanish speakers; students will improve their Spanish language skills, and apply what they learned directly in Costa Rica with Costa Rican teachers, in professional agencies and public schools; students will learn how to communicate in Spanish particularly as it pertains to social work settings; students will develop their existing social work skill set with Costa Rican populations; students will practice social work theory and research in the context of professional agencies in Costa Rica; upon their return to the United States, students will apply their knowledge of Latino culture to their Latino clientele including being able to better communicate, both written and verbally, with their Spanish-speaking clients.

Prerequisites

Consent of Instructor.

Instructor

Dr. Kristen Brendel, Assistant Professor of Social Work