Students in unique program spend six weeks immersed in Spanish culture

Oh, they had summer jobs and summer classes, but that's where the similarities with the experiences of their peers come to a screeching halt.

The upper-level Spanish students spent six weeks in San Jos‚ Costa Rica, learning that country's language and culture and working part time at local businesses.

The internship and study program is a cooperative effort by Mississippi State, the University of Costa Rica, and the San Jos‚ Chamber of Commerce. Participants took two upper division courses at the University of Costa Rica in the morning and worked at various local businesses in the afternoon. The internships were selected and supervised by the Chamber of Commerce.

The students lived with Costa Rican families so that they would be totally immersed in Spanish culture.

Dr. Mariano Lopez, foreign language professor at Mississippi State and resident director of the program, said the purpose is to give students a greater understanding of the culture than they could ever acquire in the classroom alone.

"Speaking the language with the natives and living in their homes gave the students first-hand experience with the Spanish language, culture, and work ethic," Lopez said.

Dr. Robert E. Wolverton, head of the Department of Foreign Languages, serves as overall director of the program.

This year's trip was the third since the program began in 1988. "The last time we went was in 1990, and we had only five students," Lopez said. "This year there were 10 students—nine from Mississippi State and one from Loyola University in New Orleans."

Lopez would like to offer the program on a yearly basis and he hopes to increase the number of students from 10 to 15. "We are planning to recruit students from other universities, but of course the program is offered to MSU students first.

"This is the only work/study abroad program offered by Mississippi State. Something like this looks excellent on a student's resume when they apply for a job in the future."

Last summer, Lopez presented plaques from the university to Julio Ugarte, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in San Jos‚, and to Dr. Manuel Murillo, director of the Office of International Affairs at the University of Costa Rica, for their contributions to the program.

Students who have at least 17 credit hours in Spanish are eligible to participate. The cost of the trip is $2,500, which includes airfare, tuition and fees, and room and board.