Winter Session 2001 in Costa Rica

Welcome to Group 1!

Director:                           Suzanne Tierney-Gula
SPAN107 Instructor:       Jennifer Giuliani
Students (33):                   Lindsay Amper, Kerryn Andrews, Katharyn Barnicle,
Naomi Bellot,  Jacqueline Belmonte, Sarah Berryman,  Joanna  Braman,  Paul Crinigan,  Jacob Dowling,  Stephan Foster,  Daniel Fulwider,   Julie Goodwin,
Ailene Janeczek,   Stefanie Lazorick,  Michele  Lee,   John  Linthicum,
Franchita Lockwood,  Shawnta Lorthridge,  Brian Maduskuie,  Marisa Mancini,
Gail Mattey, Laura McDonald,  Katherine Miller,   Christina Moeller,   Elizabeth Moeller,   Karen    Oconnor,  Nicholas Plummer,  Rebecca  Tolhurst,  Michael Trotter,  Matthew Waller,  Kelly Wesstrom,   Michael Zerolnick,  Stephanie  Zink.

Group Meeting #1  (27 October 2000)

AGENDA:

  1. Payments due

    2. -the program fee is $2,000. (You also pay regular Winter Session tuition).
    -you should have made a payment in the amount of $800 (it was due 24 Oct).
    -the balance is due on 10 Nov.  Scholarship recipients apply the amount of their scholarship to this payment.
    -pay at the Cashier's Office and remember to indicate the correct program - Costa Rica / FLLT
     
  2. Registration for classes

    3. -you should have registered for your two classes by now;  everyone must register for SPAN  207-071.  If you are taking the class for Honors Credit, register for section -081.
    -for the second class, register according to level of Spanish - SPAN 206-071 (section -081, Honors), or SPAN  107-071.
    -SPAN 107  is a 4-credit course, and will meet for longer sessions.
    -all courses must be taken for credit and grade (no pass/fail).
     
  3. Class Requirements

    4. * Attendance is  MANDATORY   at all classes.
      -Prof. = Tierney-Gula.  This course consists of a variety of activities.  Information will be delivered through traditional class lectures, class lectures which take place "on-site", participating in excursions, and the course reading packet.  Attendance at all lectures is mandatory.
    -There is no required "text";  but you will be given packets of information to read and study.  Students will also visit various Web sites and print indicated pages.
    -Students must purchase a 1"  3-ring binder.
    -Grades will be assigned based on active participation during lectures and excursions,  graded assignments, two exams, group projects and contribution to course Web site. -Prof. = from the UCR.
    -required text =  "Conversaciones creadoras", 2nd edition  -
    *purchase text at UD bookstore before departure. -Prof. = Giuliani
    -required text and workbook =  "Siempre Adelante, 2ed."  -
    *purchase text at UD bookstore before departure.
    *You may also want to bring a Spanish/English dictionary
     
  4. Travel Documents

    5. -you must have a valid passport
    -you must submit three copies of the inside page of your passport to me by 27 Nov.
    -you must also submit three passport-size photos (with your name written on the back)  to me as soon as possible (for your UCR  ID card).
     
  5. General Release / Waiver Forms

    6. -this form was included in your acceptance packet from IPSS.
    -you must sign and notarize it (there is Notary Public at Student Services Bldg.)
    -submit this form to me as soon as possible
     
  6. Flights:  Continental Airlines

    7. * arrive at airport between 5:00 and 5:15
    depart Tues Jan 2 from Philadelphia at 6:20 a.m. on flt #1773
    arrive Houston at 8:37 a.m.
    depart Houston at 9:35 a.m. on flt #1530
    arrive San José  at 1:04 p.m.

    depart Fri Feb 2 from San José at 1:58 p.m. on flt #1533
    arrive Houston 5:50 p.m.
    depart Houston 6:58 p.m. on flt #1778
    arrive Philadelphia 11:12 p.m.

    Should you need to fly separately from the group, either both ways or on
    your return, you must go to
    www.udel.edu/studyabroad/accepted/fllflightform.html
    and make your request for alternate flight arrangements.
    The deadline for your request is 5:00 PM. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27. There will be no extensions of the deadline.
     

  7. Health related Items

    8. -become familiar with your Health Insurance Company and its policies.  Ask a representative ahead of time what their procedure is should require medical services abroad.
    -if you take any medication, plan to bring an extra supply, as well as a clearly written copy of the generic (as opposed to the brand name)  prescription.  Leave all medication in its original packaging.
    -also bring any over-the-counter products you might use, such as aspirin, cold and/or allergy medicine, an diarrhea medicine, a stomach "soother"  such as Pepto, etc.
    -If you suffer from motion sickness, please bring plenty of Dramamine or something of the sort - the roads are very bumpy and windy!
     
  8. University Policies and Procedures

    9. -the Program Director, as a representative of the University while abroad, reserves the right to send students home in extreme cases of violation of University of DE regulations.  Please be sure you are aware of all such policies, and know the consequences should you choose to break them.
    -you must complete an online conduct agreement (found on the IPSS Web site, under "Once accepted").
     
  9. Housing Issues
    1. Roommates -  Most students will live with another UD student.  Tell me immediately if you prefer to live alone.  Every effort will be made to honor your roommate request.  If you have not made a request, a roommate will be assigned to you based on the information indicated on the housing report from your application.
    -as soon as I receive the name, address and phone number of your host family, I will e-mail it to you.
    * It is imperative that you understand that you will be a guest in a Costa Rican family's home.  You are expected to give them the utmost respect.
    - Most problems occur when there has been some sort of miscommunication.  To avoid this, please communicate politely your dietary preferences, schedule and plans, etc. on a regular basis.
    -They will provide you with a clean room/bed, breakfast and dinner when we are in town, the use of a bathroom (limited shower use / no hot water), and a study area.  They will also wash your clothes, usually once every 5-7 days.
    -You may NOT  use their telephone,  except to receive calls.
    -They will probably give you a key to their home.
    -Please ask them immediately about other house rules.
     
  10. Telephone

    11. -get a calling card such as MCI, ATT, or Sprint.  You may call home from any public telephone.  Your family may call you at an agreed time at your host family's house.
     
  11. Money Matters

    12. -you should bring some additional spending money.  The amount depends on your plans for the free weekend, as well as how many souvenirs you plan to buy.
    -bring travelers checks, and a small amount of cash.
    -do not expect to be able to use an ATM, but it may be possible, depending on your bank
    -bring a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard) for emergencies
     
  12. Future Meetings  (mandatory attendance)

    13. 1.  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, FROM 3:15 TO 4:45 IN 103 GORE
    2.  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, FROM 3:15 TO 4:45, IN 217 GORE
    (these meetings are specific to our group;  I will be giving more specific information about our trips and the class requirements).

    3.  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, OR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
    3:30 TO 4:30, MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM OF TRABANT CENTER
    (this meeting is held by IPSS and all students participating in a study abroad program with UD must attend).

    I am looking forward to sharing a wonderful study abroad experience with all of you.  Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns.  Also, keep up to date with our program at:
    http://www.udel.edu/fllt/faculty/suztgula/CR2001index.htm