This will be a hands-on academic experience for students who are ready to learn beyond the classroom walls. This class has a comparative culture lens. During the study abroad experience, we will hike to the Cabecar Village, whose people are an indigenous group residing in 8 protected territories in Costa Rica. This plus meeting with other families during our stay will teach us about culture, family, perception, and social construction. The outdoor activities (e.g., white water raft the Rio Pacuare, jungle ziplines) will put small group communication and efficacy based theory to the test. In visiting a chocolate farm we will learn what pure chocolate is and how different it is from the processed chocolate –which actually contains very little of cocoa in it- that we get in the United States. Through this experience, we can discuss branding, marketing, advertising, and food communication. Credit for: COMM 215 (4 cr).

PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
Dr. Merissa Ferrara
Department of Communication
ferraramh@cofc.edu
843-425-2781

Prof. Merissa Ferrara has been teaching at the College of Charleston for over 12 years. In 2016, she earned the campus Distinguished Teaching Award. She has traveled to over 40 countries spanning 5 continents. In 2013, she sailed- and taught- around the world, experiencing 13 countries through the Semester at Sea Program. She has either led or co-led College of Charleston study abroad programs in several countries including India, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, and Portugal. She teaches courses in Interpersonal Communication and Health Communication.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

-Students must possess a valid passport, or be eligible to obtain a valid passport
-Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher

Note: For questions regarding on-site program details and course content, please contact the program director. Any inquires regarding application processing, billing, or scholarship opportunities can be directed to the Center for International Education (contact information listed above).