Spring Break 2025
PHS 2900: Global Public Health CRN: 37522 IHIP and AIA
3 credits
Students can apply for the Global Ambassador Scholarship on Academic Works in October 2024.
Total price of the program: $3,720 (subject to change)
First Payment: November 15, 2024 = $1,240
Second Payment: December 10, 2024 = $1,240
Third Payment: January 15, 2025 = $1,240
PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
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.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arriving to Costa Rica, SJO Airport Departure to Sarapiquí (2.5 - 3 hour bus ride) Check-In at Hotel Selva Verde in Chilamate, Sarapiquí Welcome Meeting and Itinerary presentation Welcome Dinner (included) |
| Day 2 | Rainforest Walk (nature appreciation) Breakfast included AM Group Circle Guest Presentation Glenn Benavides Lunch Guest Presentation Glenn Benavides Jaime Medicinal plants + workshop Dinner PM Group Circle and free time |
| Day 3 | Breakfast included AM Group Circle Departure to Horquetas community Horquetas activities Lunch included Horquetas activities Return to hotel Dinner PM Group Circle and free time |
| Day 4 | Breakfast included AM Group Circle Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Sarapiquí River class I - II Lunch included Cacao History and Ceremony Dinner PM Group Circle and free time |
| Day 5 |
Breakfast included |
| Day 6 | Breakfast included AM Group Circle Lapa Verde Sound Therapy and Nature Walk Lunch included Tico’s Family Immersion Dinner PM Group Circle and free time |
| Day 7 | Breakfast included AM Group Circle Departure to Bajos del Toro Box Lunch included Return to hotel Free time Dinner PM Group Circle and free time |
| Day 8 | Breakfast included AM Group Circle Elder Home Activities (stations) Box Lunch included River Swimming (Chilamate) Dinner Rain Forest Night Walk PM Group Circle and free time |
| Day 9 | Breakfast included AM Group Circle Canopy in Sarapiquí Lunch Hot Spring Aguas Zarcas Dinner included |
| Day 10 | Breakfast included Closure Circle Transfer out Sarapiquí to SJO International Airport |
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.