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LAS/SAO Course Abroad: Anthropology, ANTH 445: Primate Behavior, Ecology, Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation in Costa Rica (winter)
San Jose, Costa Rica
 
Program Terms: Winter Break
Restrictions: Illinois applicants only
Budget Sheets Winter Break
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Earliest Review Date Start Date End Date
Winter Break 2013-2014 09/15/2013 09/16/2013 TBA TBA
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Language Requirement: None
Click here for a definition of this term Internship: No Click here for a definition of this term Housing: Dormitory
Click here for a definition of this term Illinois Sponsor: LAS, Study Abroad Office (campus-wide) Click here for a definition of this term Credit or Not for Credit: For credit
Program Description:
Anthropology 445
Fall/Winter LAS/SAO Course Abroad
Primate Behavior, Ecology, Ecosystem Sustainability and Conservation in Costa Rica
San Jose & La Suerte, Costa Rica

Application Deadline: September 15, 2013
 

costa ricaOverviewcosta Rica
 
Course Description
Program Eligibility
Academics
Student Life
Additional Resources
Application Information Scholarship Opportunities
Withdrawal, Change of Program, or Cancellation Policies
Passport/Visa Information
Contact Information
 
Course Description

This course is directed towards students interested in biological anthropology, primatology, tropical ecology, rainforest conservation, environmental sustainability, and field biology. Each day the professor works intensively with students, presents lectures, and provides background information to help students develop a conceptual framework for understanding the diversity and complexity of tropical forest ecosystems. Lectures, training in field technique (including use of global positioning systems, behavioral data collection, ecological data collection), on-site examples of animal-plant interactions, and observations of primate behavior are designed to help students develop individual research projects. Each student is required to write a research proposal to conduct a field project, collect field data to test a set of hypotheses on primate behavior and ecology, and write a final report during the course.

In addition, students will learn about the culture, food and history of Costa Rica, and have an opportunity to meet and interact  with local people who live in the communities adjacent to the field site.

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Program Eligibility
 
Application Requirements:  UIUC undergrads 
Language of Instruction: English
 
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 class
Academics
 
This course is worth 4 credits. The course is already listed as Anthropology 445 (CRN 59445) - so be sure to register for the course as well. You must complte both the on-campus and off campus portion in order to receive credit. 

Costa Rica ANTH Syllabus - from 2011-12
Costa Rica ANTH Itinerary - proposed for 2012-13 (subject to change)

On campus meetings: Begin 2nd 8 weeks of the Fall semester.  Date/place/time of meetings is TBA.
Program Dates: December 27, 2013 - January 18, 2014. 
 
*Program dates and fees are subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations and the number of participants.
 
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Student Life house 

Housing: Students will be housed in cabins on bunk beds at La Suerte Biological Research Station (LBRS). There are flush toilets and showers.

Meals: 3 meals a day, buffet style, are provided by LBRS. They hire cooks and have a restaurant quality kitchen. They also can accommodate vegetarians and others with specific food allergies or dietary restrictions. 
 
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Additional Resources
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Application Information
 
First Steps Info Session
Watch the First Steps videos found on our website or attend a First Steps Info Session in person.  These resources will get you thinking about important themes to consider before selecting a program including: academics, housing, duration, location, and cost.  You will learn how to research a program, understand cost (with a segment on scholarships and financial aid too), and even how to apply!  First Steps for the Fall 2013 semester will be held Monday through Thursday from 4-5pm in 101 International Studies Building.cabin 

Application Process
Apply for this program through the Study Abroad Office. In order to determine if program expenses will be Financial Aid eligible, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 217-333-0100 as soon as possible. All participants are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of the University of Illinois Study Abroad Office. 
 
Click the "Create App" button on this web page to apply. Note that you will be charged a non-refundable $25 application fee by clicking "Create App."
 
You may apply to only one program per term. Please consider your program options carefully before beginning a new program application, as you will be charged a non-refundable $25 application fee each time you begin a new program application by clicking "Create App."
 
Application Components
Program applications vary. All SAO-sponsored, faculty-led course abroad applications include:
  • An official Illinois Transcript (not required for first semester Freshmen)
  • Photocopy of Passport or receipt verifying application or renewal of passport
  • Signature verification form (downloadable from your online application)class
  • 5 short-answer essay questions
  • Online questionnaires and online signature documents
  • Note: NO letters of recommendations are required for SAO-sponsored, faculty-led courses abroad
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted by the deadlines established by the Study Abroad Office for timely review. The Study Abroad Office reviews program applications as a batch after the deadline has passed. The decision dates listed below indicate the earliest possible date that a student's application may be reviewed. Most decisions will be released two to three weeks after each deadline.
 
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Program Fees
If the Study Abroad Office nominates or accepts you to the study abroad program you have applied for, the Study Abroad Office will bill your Illinois student account a non-refundable $305 advance fee.  This fee will be deducted from the final cost of your program fees; however, please note that this fee is not refundable should you decide to withdraw from the study abroad program.
 
2013-14 PROGRAM FEE: TBD
2012-13 PROGRAM FEE: $2,500costa Rica
 
*Fees are subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations and the number of participants.
 
Total cost is ESTIMATED and is BEFORE scholarships.
 
Program Fee Includes: housing and meals, orienatation programs, program excursions, and international health insurance
 
Program Fee Does NOT Include: airfare to San Jose (est. $750), personal expenses while abroad (est. $400), and passport/visa fees (if applicable) (est. $110-$135). These are off buget costs that are estimated and will be expenses that come out of your own pocket.

2013-14 TOTAL including off-budget expenses and program fee: TBD
2012-13 TOTAL including off-budget expenses and program fee: $3,605
 
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Scholarship Opportunities
Additional scholarships are available through LAS for LAS students. Non-LAS students should contact their college about scholarship opportunities. 

All participants should also apply for the Illinois for Illinois (I4I) Study Abroad Undergraduate Scholarship. For more information, click here.
 
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Withdrawal Policy
All withdrawals must be made by email to the Study Abroad Office. Online withdrawals without emails may result in extra charges. Withdrawal by 5:00 pm on September 15, 2013 loses only the $25 application fee. Withdrawal after having been accepted to the program loses the $305 advance payment. After committing to the program, the student is responsible for all costs incurred.

Change Policy 
To change an application, an applicant must withdraw from the original application and start another one. Such withdrawals will lose the original $25 application fee. To avoid confusion and double charges, all changes should be accompanied by an email to the Study Abroad Office.

Cancellation Policy
If a student is denied, they lose only the $25 application fee. If the University of Illinois cancels a program, the student loses the application fee but will receive a full refund of the advance payment and any other billed expenses.
 
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Passport/Visa Information
You must have a valid passport to participate on this program. If you do not already have a passport, or if it needs to be renewed, you must begin that process now, even before program acceptance. 
 
You may also be required to get a visa for your program.  Please consult the host country’s consulate website or a visa agency to determine whether or not a visa is required to travel to your destination country or countries.
 
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Contact Information
For any questions you may have or for more detailed information on the program, please contact the Professor, Paul Garber or Stacy Billman in the Study Abroad Office (SAO).  The SAO is located at:
 
910 S. Fifth Street
112 International Studies Building
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6322

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:45pm.  We are closed on holidays and when classes are not in session.