Students sought for annual Costa Rica work/study group

For the eighth summer in a row, some 20 students will spend six weeks in Costa Rica immersing themselves in the Spanish language and culture.

Dr. Mariano Lopez, professor of foreign languages and resident director of the program, will lead the students. He said the course gives students a greater understanding of the culture than they could ever acquire in the classroom alone.

This summer, Mariano Lopez (second from right) recognized some of those associated with the Costa Rica program for their help. They include (l-r) Patricia Rodriguez, supervisor of study program, UCR; John Lox, director of international business programs at Mississippi State; Alejandro Jimenez, president of Jimenez y Tanzi, Costa Rica; and Jose Maria Crespo, president of La Gloria, Costa Rica.

"The responses we get from the students who go to Costa Rica are very encouraging," Lopez said. "Speaking the language with the natives and living in their homes is a real challenge. It pays off."

The six-week tour offers two program options: Study-Internship and Internship. The Study-Internship program is especially recommended for foreign languages majors, international business double-degree majors, double majors and minors. Participants will take two upper-division courses--advanced Spanish and business Spanish--at the University of Costa Rica in the morning. The courses are taught specifically for Mississippi State students by the UCR faculty. Each course will carry three transferable hours.

In the afternoon, participants will serve internships in businesses selected and supervised by the Chamber of Commerce in San Jose. Three hours of credit will be given by MSU for a project on the internship, so the total number of possible credit hours is nine. Cost is $2,500. The program is open to 15 students.

The Internship program allows participants to work full time in San Jose. They will not attend classes at UCR, but will receive three hours credit from Mississippi State for a project on the internship. Cost is $2,250. The program is open to five students.

The programs are limited to those who have at least 17 hours in Spanish (or the equivalent), although special cases will be considered. The requirements must be completed prior to departure.

Participants will live with Costa Rican families carefully screened by the Office of International Affairs at UCR and approved by MSU officials.

For more information or for application forms, contact Lopez at the Department of Foreign Languages, 300 Lee Hall, Mail Stop 9517, 325-3480.