Spring Break March 2027
PHS 2900: Global Public Health, 3 credits
CRN: TBD
Fulfills the following General Ed Requirements: High Impact IHIP and AIA
This course will meet during Spring semester 2027.
Students can apply for the Global Ambassador Scholarship on Academic Works in October 2025.
Total price of the program: TBD
First Payment due Nov. 2026 TBD
Second Payment due Dec. 2026 = TBD
Third Payment due Jan. 2026 = TBD
PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Pending financial aid does not cover study abroad payments. Please call Student Accounts for more details at 978.665.4126.
Learn more from the info session slideshow
This Global Public Health Program is a signature faculty-led study abroad course at Fitchburg State University. It has run multiple times to Costa Rica with Professors Benes and Stone and students from all majors are welcome. The program is designed to strengthen the student's understanding of the issues and factors constraining the achievement of public health goals around the world. The impacts of social, cultural, physical, political and economic determinants of health are analyzed in a global context. Emphasis is placed on how factors within these different determinants of health affect the provision of health services and health outcomes. Students will participate in community health fairs, explore the rainforest, go paddle boarding, shadow a nursing home, participate in a cacao ceremony, and much more.
Working Itinerary from 2025
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Fri., Mar. 7 | B6 2317 BOS-JFK Depart Boston at 12:58 p.m. and arrive New York at 2:16 p.m. B6 1793 JFK-SJO Depart New York at 5:30 p.m. and arrive San Jose at 9:48 p.m. Stay overnight in San Jose area (Adventure Inn Hotel in Alajuela). |
| Sat., Mar. 8 | Morning bus travel to Sarapiquí by bus (about 2 hours). Check-In at Hacienda la Isla in Horquetas, Sarapiquí. Enjoy a Welcome Lunch (included), meeting, and itinerary presentation. Listen to Introduction to Sarapiquí and Holistic Health presentation before preparing for Sunday’s workshops. Enjoy team building and yoga before dinner. End this and every evening with a group circle and reflection. |
| Sun., Mar. 9 | Enjoy sun and rainforest bathing and a rainforest walk before going to the Horquetas community and doing Health Fair Workshop Rounds. |
| Mon., Mar. 10 | Start the morning with yoga and group circle before going to the Horquetas community and working with the young and the elderly. Enjoy free time at the river before returning to the hotel for guided meditation. |
| Tues., Mar. 11 |
Start the morning with yoga and group circle |
| Wed., Mar. 12 | Depart to Puerto Viejo River for Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and Kayaking the Sarapiqui River Class I – II. Afternoon experience a Cacao Ceremony and Sound Healing. |
| Thurs., Mar. 14 | Depart to Chilamate for a medicinal plant workshop in the morning. Afternoon departure to La Fortuna for the hot springs and eco termales. |
| Fri., Mar. 14 | Departure to Bajos del Toro for a waterfall hike and an excursion to Sarchi downtown. After some time for shopping, travel to and check-in at Dream Catcher Lodging. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at Dream Catcher House. |
| Sat., Mar. 15 | Have a final group circle before heading to the airport. B6 38 SJO-FLL Depart San Jose at 12:20 p.m. and arrive Fort Lauderdale at 5:14 p.m. B6 770 FLL-BOS Depart Fort Lauderdale at 8 p.m. and arrive Boston at 11:19 p.m. |
My experience was amazing! I had so much fun interacting with the people of Costa Rica and learning more about their culture. It was a very eye opening experience and made me love nursing even more. This program made me a better person in so many ways.