Spring Break March 7 - 16, 2025
PHS 2900: Global Public Health, 3 credits
CRN: 37522
Fulfills the following General Ed Requirements: High Impact IHIP and AIA
This course will meet during Spring semester 2025 from 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. in Thompson Hall Room 214 on Mondays with Professor(s) Benes and Stone.
Students can apply for the Global Ambassador Scholarship on Academic Works in October 2024.
Total price of the program: $3,720
First Payment due November 8, 2024 = $1,240
Second Payment due December 10, 2024 = $1,240
Third Payment due January 10, 2025 = $1,240
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.
Flight Information - Jet Blue
March 7 - B6 2317 Depart Boston at 1:08 p.m. and arrive New York at 2:26 p.m.
March 7 - B6 1793 Depart New York at 5:30 p.m. and arrive San Jose at 9:48 p.m.
March 15 - B6 38 Depart San Jose at 12:17 p.m. and arrive Fort Lauderdale at 5:09 p.m.
March 15 - B6 770 Depart Fort Lauderdale at 8 p.m. and arrive Boston at 11:17 p.m.
Sample 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. AM Group Circle. Departure to Horquetas community. Horquetas activities. Lunch included. Horquetas activities. Return to hotel. Dinner. PM Group Circle and free time. |
| 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.