Costa Rica

Community Health Research Internship
May 21–June 30, 2012
(pending university approval)

The ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change is excited to announce a unique Community Health Research Internship in southern Costa Rica for summer 2012. The ASU faculty mentor for this program is Dr. Tammy Watkins, who is a top global health and anthropological researcher with extensive international experience and who currently resides in Costa Rica. Her research uses anthropological theory and methods to study the intersections of human behavior, environment and health. Over 6 weeks, students will immerse themselves in Costa Rican society, as well as rural communities of the Guaymi Indigenous Territory. Students who participate in this internship (and receive credit through the School of Human Evolution and Social Change) can count this for the global health study abroad requirement.

Students chosen for this field school will spend a total of 6 weeks in 2 different locations: San Jose and San Vito. While in San Jose, students will immerse themselves in the Costa Rican culture through homestays and language study. During the last month students will get to learn about indigenous livelihoods and conducting research while living in an indigenous community. Students will collect data in the community and spend time at a biological research station for data entry, analysis and sharing of results with local stakeholders. The program will include trips to local health clinics in the region, as well as archaeological and environmental sites. Students will have some free time to sightsee and take short day trips on their own, but extended travel is encouraged before or after the program dates.

Information about the program

Click here for draft itinerary. The program will be divided into two phases:

Phase I

• Complete immersion in Costa Rican culture facilitated by the Costa Rican Language Academy.
• Opportunities for experiences in Costa Rican cuisine, dance and music.
• Coursework in research design, methods and analysis.
• Free time in the evenings and weekends to experience local culture while exploring the central valley and San Jose, including its surrounding towns, volcanoes and cultural sites.
• Select weekend days off to travel near and far and visit beautiful places like Monteverde and the Pacific or Caribbean coasts.

Phase II

• Based at the Organization for Tropical Studies' Las Cruces biological station, home of the Wilson Botanical Gardens. Students will return here for long weekends relaxing in the beautiful garden with modern facilities, as well as data management and consulting on ongoing projects.
• Immersion in Ngöbe culture in the Guaymi Indigenous Territory. Students will be paired for homestays in rustic homes of indigenous host families in communities where research will be conducted.
• Community and household research on contemporary health issues in rural communities, primarily focusing on infectious diseases.
• Presentation of findings to local stakeholders through community poster presentations.

The program is suitable for upper-level undergraduate students with some academic training in anthropological field methods. Courses fulfill the General Studies and/or Science and Society requirements, and prerequisites are usually waived. Graduate students also can be accommodated with graduate course credit.

The 2012 program fee for the Costa Rica program is estimated to be between $5,455 and $5,900 (2012 program fee to be finalized soon). The fee includes 6 credits of coursework, all accommodations, excursions, activities, program-related transportation and most meals. The fee will not include international airfare (approximately $875), incidentals and remaining meals. See cost breakdown below. 

Coursework

Students participating in this program will receive 6 credits of SSH 403 Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health (General Studies: SB/L & G and/or Science and Society).

Accommodations

Most meals and all housing are included for students for the duration of the program. Occasional lunches between language classes while in San Jose will be the responsibility of the student. There are many food options at a nearby mall or near the University of Costa Rica campus. In San Jose, students will be housed with Costa Rican families while attending language immersion. While in the Guaymi Indigenous Territory, students will spend approximately 4 days a week with a homestay family in a rural area of Costa Rica, and then 3 days of the week will be spent at the Las Cruces biological station. While in the indigenous territory, students will have limited access to power and internet. It is recommended to bring an unlocked cell phone or purchase an inexpensive phone in Costa Rica. Home stays will be in pairs and housing will be rustic so students can expect to share a bedroom. Students must bring a mosquito net, and it is advisable to bring a sleeping mat (camping mattress and pillow) and a sleeping bag liner or sleepsack. A travel towel (quick drying towel) would be convenient but is not a necessity. Safe drinking water is an issue in this community. Host families will be taking precautions (boiling water) for student consumption, but it is recommended students carry a travel water filter. The sports bottle/squeeze filter is recommended. Bottled water is available for purchase, but in order to avoid excess waste production, a refillable bottle and filter system is preferred. More information about what to pack will be given at the pre-departure orientation. 

Eligibility 

Students must be at least 18 years of age, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and be in good standing with their home institution. Non-ASU students must provide a recent transcript with their applications. Students with a GPA below 2.5 or in poor standing for any other reason are required to submit two letters of recommendation (preferably from current professors) with their application, in support of their suitability as applicants. Students will also have to prove proficiency in Spanish (at least two successful semesters) before being accepted; there will be language classes that will provide an opportunity for improvement.

Application Process

(Deadline to apply is January 17, 2012) 

Step 1

Students must submit their application along with a 1-page, double-spaced statement explaining their academic background/goals, their research interests and why they are interested in participating in this fieldwork experience; and turn in an unofficial transcript (available through MyASU). Click here to download the application.

Step 2

Admitted students will be notified whether or not they are accepted into the internship by January 31. Once admitted, students will be required to sign up for the internship program through the Study Abroad office and pay a $100 application fee and a $350 deposit, which will go towards student health insurance while abroad.

Step 3

Students will sign up for 6 credits of SSH 403 Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health (General Studies: SB/L & G and/or Science and Society), participate in a pre-departure orientation and purchase a plane ticket for San Jose, Costa Rica.

Step 4

Students arrive in Costa Rica and get picked up from the airport on May 21 and then begin the program on May 22.

All materials should be handed in to Lexi Shulla, the study abroad program assistant, in SHESC 233. Questions should be directed to shesc.global@asu.edu. 

Costs