WFU/Costa Rica: Pura Vida Learning – Exploring Costa Rica through Global Literacy (Spring Short-Term)

This two-week spring program offers students an immersive, short-term internship-style experience in Costa Rica, focusing on education and its role within society. Participants will engage in cross-cultural exchange while working with local children in key educational areas, including:

• Education and Policy: Exploring the structure, challenges, and policies shaping education in Costa Rica.
• Schools and Societies: Examining the relationship between schooling and broader societal influences in Costa Rican communities.
• The Context of Schooling in Costa Rica: Gaining insight into the unique challenges and opportunities within the Costa Rican educational system.

Students will work toward a final project or deliverable related to education, drawing from hands-on experiences with local schools and organizations. The program includes site visits, guest lectures, cultural activities, and excursions to deepen students’ understanding of Costa Rica’s educational landscape and culture. This experiential learning opportunity will allow students to develop global perspectives on education while contributing to meaningful community initiatives. 

San Jose, Costa Rica

EDU 202L: Exploring Global Schools
3 hrs. 

This course explores literacy in the 21st century through a global lens, focusing on global literacy—defined as cross-cultural fluency and responsiveness in understanding, engaging, and communicating in an interconnected world. Students will critically examine how global literacy goes beyond traditional reading and writing, encompassing digital, cultural, and multilingual competencies necessary for global citizenship. Through discussions, project-based learning, and real-world applications, students will develop skills to navigate diverse global contexts. The course concludes with an experiential program in Costa Rica, where students will work alongside local communities, and schools applying their understanding of global literacy to support community-based initiatives.

Dr. Dani Parker
Associate Professor of Education
Phone: (336) 758 5347
Email:

Associate Professor of Education at Wake Forest University and Executive Director of Wake Forest Freedom School. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in education, community involvement, and educational psychology. Her research focuses on the foundational aspects of education, qualitative research methods, and the participation of parents and caregivers in schools and communities.

Double occupancy local hotel

Excursions Include the following:

• Day 1, Sunday, May 9 – Arrival at the San Jose International Airport/ Check in and settle at the accommodation
• Day 2, Monday, May 10 | Spanish Class, Orientation and Welcome Lunch
• Day 3, Tuesday, May 11 | Spanish Class, Lecture Session, Latin Dance Class and Cooking Class
• Days 4-5, Wednesday & Thursday, May 12-13 | Project Immersion and Focused Language Study
• Day 6, Friday, May 14 | Urban Cultural Exploration and Market Discovery
• Day 7, Saturday, May 15 | Majestic Volcanic Landscapes and Thermal Relaxation
• Day 8, Sunday, May 16 | Pacific Coast Getaway
• Day 9, Monday, May 17 | Deepening Community Impact at local schools
• Day 10, Tuesday, May 18 | Project Focus Day at local schools & Tropical Tastes
• Day 11, Wednesday, May 19 | Final Project Development at St. Benedict
• Day 12, Thursday, May 20 | Project Culmination local schools
• Day 13, Friday, May 21 | Chocolate Experience and Festive Farewell Day 14, Saturday, May 22 | Departure

The leading faculty is responsible for the selection of each group based on the following criteria:

*Academic suitability
*Social and emotional maturity
*Seriousness of the student in pursuing the academic and cultural aims of the program

The total cost of Spring Short-term study abroad program can be broken down into three categories:

Program Fee – Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals and other costs associated with the program.
Airfare – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
Personal Expenses – These will vary depending on the students’ spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.
 

Billed by Wake Forest:
Program Fee – $4,400

+

Personal costs (will fluctuate per student spending and location):
Airfare – $1,000 (estimated)
Personal Expenses – $675 (estimated)
 

Estimated total cost – $6,075

Scholarships are available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

The deadline for short-term scholarships is November 15th. 

Passport Information
Students need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date.

Students going on a spring short-term program need to make sure their passport is valid through at least January of the following year.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your summer abroad program. If you do, details will be shared with you by GPS. Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if a visa is required for their program or not.

Dr. Dani Parker
Associate Professor of Education
Phone: (336) 758 5347
Email:

Amanda Batten
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
Phone: (336) 758-3194
Email: