2020 Global Study Visit Program
July 19-28, 2020
Chapel Hill, NC, Costa Rica & Panama
CEU / PDCH offered
Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2020 Study Visit to Costa Rica and Panama.
******COVID-19 UPDATE 04/30/2020******
UNC World View values our participants and cares for the health and safety of everyone. Because of the rapidly evolving situation regarding the COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, the decision has been made to cancel the World View Costa Rica and Panama Study Visit.
We know that as educators you are working hard to meet the needs of your students during this challenging time. If you have any questions regarding this cancellation of this Study Visit please contact Kimberly Hall, administrative services coordinator, at kimcar@unc.edu.
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March through October 2020 | Travel dates to Costa Rica and Panama are July 19-28, 2020
Costa Rica is a small country in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama. With five million people and over 51,000 square kilometers the country has a large agricultural sector, but is growing in the areas of both technology and tourism. Approximately one-fifth of the country’s population lives in the capital, San Jose. Panama is bordered by Colombia and Costa Rica. Slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina, Panama’s landscape is mostly mountainous and covered by rainforest and jungle. The highest point in Panama is Volcán Barú, an active volcano close to the border with Costa Rica. Panama has a population of about 4 million people. Its capital and largest city is Panama City. Both Panama and Costa Rica are home to diverse ethnic groups and indigenous populations. World View and Immersion Abroad Costa Rica take pride in creating the most authentic global experience that will forever influence the way educators live, work and communicate in today’s interconnected world.
The cost of the Costa Rica and Panama Study Visit Program, including a one day spring workshop and orientation, a 10-day study visit to Costa Rica and Panama, a follow-up workshop and program materials is $3,200. There is an additional charge of $210 if you prefer a single room while traveling to Costa Rica and Panama. Single rooms are limited in number and will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis. For educators outside of North Carolina, there is an additional fee of $250.
The $3,200 fee includes:
- Registration to the March 26, 2020 Global Study Visit Orientation and Workshop
- Roundtrip international airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to San Jose, Costa Rica
- Ground travel within Costa Rica and Panama
- All host family (two nights) and hotel (seven nights) accommodations. Hotel accommodations are based on double or greater occupancy
- Many meals in Costa Rica and Panama
- Supplemental UNC-Chapel Hill Study Abroad international accident and sickness insurance
- All education, cultural and historical activities, excluding independent activities
- Gratuities
- Registration to the study visit follow-up workshop in September 2020
- Program materials for orientation and follow-up workshop
Please note: A minimum of 15 participants is needed to operate the study visit.
Simple Gifts: The Simple Gifts Scholarship is provided through the generous support of the Simple Gifts Fund, which strives to enrich and improve the lives of motivated, rural eastern NC teachers and their students. The Simple Gifts Fund seeks to provide scholarships to teachers who recognize the value of inquiry, who understand the power of knowledge and who appreciate the importance of inspiring excellence in their students. Applicants who are chosen to participate in World View Costa Rica and Panama Study Visit and meet the following criteria will be eligible for a full scholarship covering the cost of the experience. Once selected, applicants will be responsible for paying a $200 deposit to Simple Gifts that will be returned to them upon successful completion of the program.
To be considered for the Simple Gifts Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a teacher, guidance counselor, media assistant, or assistant principal in a public school or community college instructor, in one of the following counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Chowan, Columbus, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilson
- Plan to continue working in their current school system and county during the following school year
Please download the application and save it to your computer before completing it.
FAQ
What should I expect from this Global Study Visit Program?
This is intended to be a unique and challenging professional development opportunity—not a tourist trip! Educators who participate in the Costa Rica and Panama Global Study Visit Program can expect to:
- Build their own global competencies as they investigate global issues, explore their own perspectives and learn from and with individuals with different perspectives, communicate across cultures and take action by transferring a study visit experience into their own role as an educator.
- Increase their own confidence and capacity for introducing global issues and themes and supporting global education initiatives in their education environment.
- Exercise collaboration and leadership skills by working with others, moving outside of their comfort zones to be flexible and adaptable, engaging in critical self-reflection and planning follow-up steps.
- Increase their knowledge and understanding of culture, language and daily life in Costa Rica and Panama.
- Gain knowledge of Costa Rica and Panama’s educational systems and practices by visiting schools and engaging in round table discussions with educators, families and students.
- Explore Costa Rica and Panama’s ecological sites and increase knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices and how these practices impact families in Costa Rica and Panama.
- Explore the issues facing indigenous populations in the region, as well as their unique cultural characteristics.
- Enhance empathy and understating for indigenous and Latinx students in the United States who may be faced with multifaceted barriers or challenges.
- Design and share a “deliverable” that enables transfer of this powerful global experience back to the participant’s school or community college.
- Deliverables can take a variety of forms: a globally integrated unit, a PD workshop for peers, a culture kit and learning guide to be shared with a grade level team, a community college globalized course module, incorporation into a Global Educator Digital Badge PD Capstone, a global education action plan, etc.
- Produce at least one reflection on the study visit experience to be shared with World View. This reflection can take a variety of forms and can be produced during or after the study visit. Examples include a photo essay, a brief article, a story map, blog posts, an audio diary, etc.
What are the physical requirements of the trip?
Participants on this trip must be in good health. This program requires that participants walk several miles, engage in various outdoor activities in a very hot, humid climate and be able to carry one’s own luggage. Physical activity may be strenuous at times. Some conditions will be quite rustic (i.e: may not always have access to hot water; limited access to wifi and AC).
Do I need a passport? Do I need a visa?
Each participant must have a passport that is valid at the time of entry and at least 1 blank passport page for an entry stamp. Should there be insufficient blank pages in your passport, entry into the country could be denied. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date. All participants must send a clear digital image of the first page of their passport by March 4, 2020. Passport applications can take months to process. If you do not currently have a passport, you should apply for one immediately: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html. Participants do not need a tourist visa for stays less than 90 days.
How do I apply for the Global Study Visit Program?
To apply, please complete an application and send in your $500 deposit by January 10, 2020.
When will I know if I am accepted to the Global Study Visit Program?
The application deadline is January 10, 2020, or until filled. Participants will be accepted on a rolling basis, unless you have traveled with World View before. If you have traveled on a previous World View Study Visit you will be placed on a waitlist until the deadline has passed. Deposit checks will be deposited upon acceptance.
What preparation and information will be provided before the Global Study Visit Program?
Participants are required to attend a one day orientation and workshop in Chapel Hill. This program will take place on March 26, 2020. The orientation that will cover important information to prepare for travel to and within Costa Rica and Panama. During the orientation, participants will receive information about each location and additional details. Between the orientation and study visit, participants will receive regular emails from leaders and access to an electronic binder with additional information and tips to help prepare for the experience.
What will I have to pay for on the Global Study Visit Program?
The cost of the Program, which includes a pre-departure workshop and orientation, a 10-day trip to Costa Rica and Panama, program materials and a post-trip workshop is $3,200, plus an additional $210 if you prefer a single room. Single rooms are limited in number and will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. For all educators outside of North Carolina, $250 will be added to the final cost. Cost includes the following:
- Registration for the March 26, 2020 Costa Rica and Panama Global Study Visit Workshop and Orientation
- Roundtrip international airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to San Jose, Costa Rica
- Ground travel within Costa Rica and Panama
- All host family (two nights) and hotel (seven nights) accommodations. Hotel accommodations are based on double or greater occupancy
- Many meals in Costa Rica and Panama
- Supplemental UNC-Chapel Hill Study Abroad international accident and sickness insurance
- All education, cultural and historical activities, excluding independent activities
- Most gratuities
- Registration to the study visit follow-up workshop in September 2020
- Program materials for orientation and follow-up workshop
Cost excludes the following:
- Passport application or renewal charges
- Costa Rica exit fees (est. $29)
- Any entry or exit fees to Panama (at time of this posting there are no fees)
- Travel to and from departure airport in North Carolina
- Baggage fees
- Trip cancellation or baggage insurance
- Meals on international travel days and five additional dinners and four additional lunches
- Supplemental excursion activities and personal and incidental expenses (including alcohol)
- Travel and accommodations for the Global Study Visit Workshop and Orientation on March 26, 2020 and follow-up workshop in September 2020
What vaccinations do I need for the Global Study Visit Program?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers to Costa Rica and Panama 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 if you have questions or concerns.
Do you have any advice for finding funding for the Global Study Visit Program?
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 if I have additional questions?
For additional questions, please contact Holly Loranger at hloranger@unc.edu or 919-843-7793.