A Summer Abroad Experience in Panama
Program Cost: TBD
Dates: July 10-August 9, 2010
Deadline for Summer: February 15
Number of Positions: 15
Updated: September 29, 2009
Index:
Program Description
This program offers UW-Stout students a very special and unique opportunity for linguistic and cultural immersion during a 4 week excursion to Panama with Dr. Carlos Dejud, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Jill Stanton, Assistant Professor of Education. This course addresses some of the core problems in service delivery to English Language Learners (ELL) children, youth and their families, particularly of Hispanic background. It intends to expose students to a wide range of contemporary issues and theories related to the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on the cognitive, social and emotional development of children. Additionally, the program aims at providing intensive language training for beginner, intermediate, and advanced Spanish speaking students to help them gain confidence serving ELL students.
Panama
Panama, officially the Republic of Panama, is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on an isthmus, it borders Costa Rica to the north-west, Colombia to the south-east, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is an international business center and the most industrialized country in Central America. By 1999, Panama controlled the Panama Canal that links the North Atlantic Ocean via the Caribbean Sea with the North Pacific Ocean. Panama's economy is mainly service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, tourism, trading and private industries because of its key geographic location.
A dominant feature of the country is the central mountain range that forms the continental divide called the Cordillera Central. The highest point in the country is the Volcán Barú), which rises to 3475 meters (11401 ft.). A nearly impenetrable jungle forms the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia. It creates a break in the Pan-American Highway, which otherwise forms a complete road from Alaska to Patagonia.
Courses
Upon successful completion, students will receive 6 credits. Students will enroll in EDUC 336/536, Multiculturalism: Issues and Perspectives; EDUC 376/576, Field Experience: Cross-Cultural Experience; EDUC 400/600, Workshop: Special Topics in Education To receive financial aid in the summer, keep in mind that six credits are required. Beginning to intermediate level Spanish (both oral and written) is required for the course.
Estimated Costs
Students will pay a program fee to UW-Stout to cover the cost of tuition and fees, health insurance, international student ID card, housing in Panama, local transportation and field trips. Passport fees, flight, meals and personal expenses are paid directly by the students. Eligible students can use their financial aid to help pay these expenses. Need based scholarships are available to eligible Wisconsin residents.
Estimated Program Cost: TBD
Estimated Personal Expenses: TBD
Total Estimated Costs: TBD
Eligibility
This course is open to students in School Counseling, School Psychology, Education and Special Education. All students must have beginning to intermediate level Spanish. Students must be at least sophomore status, have a GPA of 2.50, and be in good academic standing at time of participation. They must also receive approval from the faculty leader for this trip, Dr. Carlos Dejud.
Housing and Meals
Housing is yet to be determined.
Passport/Visa
All students must have a valid U.S. passport for entrance into Panama. The current passport fee is $100. Students should apply for their passport no later than January to ensure summer participation. If students already have a U.S. passport, be sure to check the dates of validity. It must be valid for six months beyond the return date to the US.
Application Procedures
Please make an appointment with the Office of International Education (OIE), 400 Bowman Hall, to review and receive the application materials. Completed forms are returned to OIE. A $100 nonrefundable application fee is paid to the Student Business Services Office located in the Administration Building at time of application. Once accepted by UW-Stout, a $200 nonrefundable service fee will be required to hold a place in the program.
For detailed instructions on the application process, please see how to apply.
For More Information
- Please contact OIE for an appointment
to discuss your Study Abroad options
and receive application materials.
715/232-2132, E-mail: globaled@uwstout.edu