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UWW Faculty-led Costa Rica: Health and Aging (Outgoing Program) Print 
  • Locations: Atenas, Costa Rica; Nicoya Penninsula, Costa Rica; San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Program Terms: Fall Travel Study
  • Restrictions: UW-Whitewater applicants only
Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Fall Travel Study 2025 05/01/2025 ** Rolling Admission 01/07/2026 01/18/2026

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Program Type: Faculty-Led Travel Study Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English, Foreign Language
Click here for a definition of this term Housing Options: Home-Stay, Hotel/Hostel, Other Click here for a definition of this term Minimum GPA: 2.5
Click here for a definition of this term Class Standing: Graduate, Junior, Senior, Sophomore Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: Public Health, Social Work, Spanish
Click here for a definition of this term UW-W Recommended program for: Students who want an academic short term global experience with a class Click here for a definition of this term Language Prerequisites: Spanish 321 and 322, or 325 and 326; others will be considered based on faculty consent
Click here for a definition of this term Target Language: Spanish Click here for a definition of this term Service-Learning: YES
Program Description:

Faculty-Led Costa Rica - Health and Aging

Nicoya view
The Program
This course will explore various aspects of health and aging, using Costa Rica as a case study. Costa Rica is home to one of the world’s five “Blue Zones”- regions of the world where people live much longer than average. Students in this travel study will have the opportunity to visit this Blue Zone (Nicoya Peninsula) and interact with elders and health leaders in the community. They will also have the unique opportunity to study a healthcare system that is considered one of the strongest in Latin America and consists of two complementary systems: the government- run universal healthcare system, known as the “Caja,” and the private system. Students will study both systems and engage in site visits. We will also learn about traditional medicine, visiting an Indigenous community and an herb farm to learn from different types of traditional healers. This course is also an international community-based learning course (and thus, can earn Honors Credit!) and students will engage with elders in a variety of activities, both in the Blue Zone, as well as in a senior center in San José, Costa Rica. During the fall semester, the course meets 2-3 Wednesdays/month from 2:00-3:30.
 Blue Zone resident
 
Location Costa Rica: San Jose, Atenas, Nicoya Peninsula
Duration January 6-17, 2026
Eligibility 2.5 GPA, Spanish 321 and 322, or Spanish 325 and 326, others will be considered by consent of the instructor
Language English and Spanish
Course Selection 3 credits - 491: SPANISH, PUBHLTH, SOCWORK and 691: SOCWORK (graduate students)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025
best choice
Estimated Program Fee Estimate $5320
Program Fee Includes Airfare, housing, excursions, indicated group meals, CISI insurance, airport transfers
Program Fee Does Not Include Transportation to O'Hare, non group meals, passports, recommended/required immunizations and incidentals
Tentative Itinerary Costa Rica Info Sheet fall 2025.pdf
Blue Zone Lady
Faculty Contacts:
Dr. Parys: parysj@uww.edu
Dr. Rowe: rowej@uww.edu

Office of Global Experiences Contacts:                        
 204 McCutchan Hall 262 472 5759                                              
studyabroad@uww.edu                                                                 
Global Experience Coordinator:
Han Ngo 262 472 5757
ngoh@uww.edu