Costa Rica and Nicaragua

2017 Global Study Visit Program

STUDY VISIT GOAL

The goal of the Study Visit is to help educators become leaders for global education by looking beyond the borders of North Carolina and experiencing a culture, country and people different from their own. In addition to the Spanish language, educators will learn about and compare Costa Rica and Nicaragua’s education systems, development and environmental issues. We will also explore significant cultural and historical sites and interact with families. This Study Visit is intended to be a unique and challenging professional development opportunity—not a tourist trip! Participants on this trip must be in good health and able to handle heat and humidity, carry their own luggage and walk several miles. To best prepare for the Study Visit, participants are required to attend a two-day seminar and orientation (March 28-29, 2017) in Chapel Hill. Following the Study Visit, participants will attend a follow-up workshop in September 2017. Knowledge, strategies and experiences from the seminar, Study Visit and follow-up workshop will give participants the ability to add global content to their teaching and help their schools and colleges become more global in focus.

STUDY VISIT ELIGIBILITY

The ideal candidate is an educator who is committed to global education and adding global content and activity to their school or college. World View considers international travel to be an essential aspect of being well-educated in the 21^st century, so we seek candidates who have not yet had an opportunity to travel abroad. World View’s Study Visit to Costa Rica and Nicaragua is open to any educator, yet priority will be given to educators who are part of one of World View’s partner schools systems, schools or community colleges. Secondary priority will be given to educators who have not traveled internationally in the past. Participants of previous World View Study Visits may submit an application but will be placed on a wait list until the deadline has passed.

FAQ

What should I expect from this study visit?

Do I need a passport? Do I need a visa?

How do I apply for the study visit?
When will I know if I am on the study visit?
What preparation and information will be provided before the study visit?
What will I have to pay for on the study visit?
What vaccinations do I need for this study visit?
Do you have any advice for finding funding for the study visit?
What if I want to stay longer or arrive earlier than the group?
What is expected of me after the study visit?
What if I have additional questions?

What should I expect from this study visit?

During the Costa Rica and Nicaragua study visit, educators will learn about and compare Costa Rica and Nicaragua’s education systems, development and environmental issues. We will also explore significant cultural and historical sites and interact with families. This Study Visit is intended to be a unique and challenging professional development opportunity. Participants on this trip must be in good health and able to handle heat and humidity, carry their own luggage and walk several miles. All participants will stay with host families in the coffee growing community of Atenas while in Costa Rica. While in Nicaragua, participants will have modest local hotel accommodations.

Do I need passport? Do I need a visa?

Each participant must have a passport valid at least 6 months after the return date of the Study Visit.  If you do not currently have a passport, you must apply for one immediately upon acceptance to the trip: passports.state.gov  American citizens do not need to purchase a visa for travel to Costa Rica or Nicaragua. Non-American participants should check with their government for more information.  All participants must send a digital copy of their passport to World View by March 3, 2017.

How do I apply for the study visit?

To apply for the study visit, please complete an application, ideally with $500 deposit and a clear, digital copy of your passport, and return to Sarah Brady by December 16, 2016.

When will I know if I am on the study visit?

The study visit application deadline is December 16, 2016, and study visit participants will be notified of acceptance in early 2017. Deposit checks will be deposited upon acceptance to the study visit.

What preparation and information will be provided before the study visit?

All study visit participants are required to attend a two-day seminar and orientation in Chapel Hill. This seminar will take place on March 28-29, 2017. During the seminar, study visit participants will gather with the study visit leader for an orientation that will cover additional information about the trip, packing and other useful tips. All participants will also receive an orientation binder with information about each country and additional details about the trip. Between the orientation and study visit, participants will receive regular emails from study visit leaders with additional information and tips prior for planning your time abroad.

What will I have to pay for on the study visit?

The cost of the 10-day Study Visit to Costa Rica and Nicaragua is estimated at $2,750. This estimated cost may change due to changes in fuel charges or other potential airline fee changes. This includes round trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International airport to Costa Rica/Nicaragua, land transport within Costa Rica and Nicaragua per the itinerary, accommodations, two meals a day with family in Costa Rica, daily breakfast and one dinner in Nicaragua, language instruction, entrance fees to cultural and historical sites, gratuities, supplemental health insurance and briefing materials. Add $250 to the final cost if educator is from out of state.

Not included: Three lunches and two dinners in Nicaragua, baggage fees, passport, transport to and from Raleigh-Durham International airport, entrance and exit fees, personal and incidental expenses (including alcoholic beverages) and recommended vaccinations. Registration, travel and accommodations for the March 28-29, 2017 World View Seminar workshop are not included. (August 2017 follow-up workshop is free, but you are responsible for all travel expenses.)

What vaccinations do I need for this study visit?

World View cannot legally give participants medical advice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers to Costa Rica & Nicaragua are up to date on all routine immunizations and visit a doctor 4-6 weeks before traveling. Please see the CDC website for additional recommendations.  Please check with your medical provider or World View if you have questions or concerns.

Do you have any advice for finding funding for the study visit?

World View recommends talking to your school or district about possible funding for the study visit. You can also try contacting your school’s PTA, your local Rotary chapter or other professional organizations that you belong to. Previous participants have also applied for various education grants or done fundraising on their own.

What if I want to stay longer or arrive earlier than the group?

Trip deviations are sometimes possible and are handled on case-by-case basis. Please talk to the study visit leader at least six months before departure if you are considering a deviation from the scheduled dates of the study visit.

What is expected from me after the study visit?

Following the study visit, participants are required to take part in a one-day post-trip workshop in Chapel Hill, where they will reconnect with the study visit group and discuss ways to incorporate their experience in the classroom, school or college. Participants are also required to submit a lesson plan or action plan following the trip. Past study visit lesson plans can be viewed here.

What if I have additional questions?

For additional questions, please contact Neil Bolick at 919-843-5332.

Follow-up Workshop Information

After every World View study visit, participants gather in Chapel Hill for a one-day follow-up workshop. This year, the workshop will take place September 8, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Carolina Center for Educational Excellence (CCEE). The goal of the day is to reflect on our study visit and discuss ways on using our new experiences in the classroom. There will be sessions and activities that include group discussion and reflection and sharing of resources to support your Costa Rica/Nicaragua lesson or action plan.