Food, Ecology and Community in Nicaragua SPRING BREAK - March 18-25, 2012
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The Program: The world is becoming smaller, more globally connected, yet we know so little about our Southern neighbors. Students will see a full spectrum of life in Nicaragua, learning about families, the economy, sustainable food systems, health, and how a people can rise above their circumstances, and rise even farther when each of us lends a hand. Rosa’s learning center, sustainable garden, and lending library (all from her small home) is just one of many rural experiences we will enjoy. Plenty of time in schools, markets, tours, and restaurants will round out participant’s full exposure to communities and all its resiliency in this beautiful Central American country.
Making a Difference: The Wisconsin Nicaragua Partnership (WN/P), with offices right here in Stevens Point, has a 40 year history making a difference Nicaraguans lives. They are involved in all areas of the community as you can see in their icon above. They have sent fire engines, ambulances, wood shop tools, sewing machines, boxes of books, to assist the resilient people of this beautiful, yet impoverished country. We will provide hands on service learning for those wanting to make a difference right now by working side by side with the Nicaraguan communities.
Purpose: To become intimately acquainted with the culture of the Hispanic population, fastest growing segment of our nation. To explore the connections between environment, community and food. To experience living close to the land, the city and the people. To relate service learning to personal development and community understanding.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2011. Request an application form from UWSP International Programs or from Jasia Steinmetz (CPS 202) directly. Return the form to UWSP International Programs with a $250 (non-refundable) deposit. Enrollment is limited: late applications can be considered only if there is room. The group is limited to 17 total participants, 15 students and two leaders. Applications are processed in the order they are received.
Go to the Applications page to find out how to get an application.
Depart campus on early Sunday morning, March 18 by Lamers coach bound for our flight from Chicago to Las Mercedes. We will travel to Managua, to visit the headquarters of WI-Nicaragua Partners and explore Tiscapa Lagoon. We will go on to Buenos Aires, in the small communities to the Tipitapa Learning Center and stay with families and work with the community. After 4 day as, we will move on to Granada/Selva Negra for exploring community, food and ecology. We will end with another community work and stay in Esteli. Our flight back to the U.S. is March 25. Any of this may change due to weather, air schedule changes and new opportunities from the Partners. Coursework will begin before the spring break and continue after the study tour.
This seminar is open to all majors and minors, not just Health Promotion and Human Development students, as well as to those from any discipline who share an interest in their world. For continuing UWSP students a minimum GPA of 2.25 is required. Priority is given to regularly registered UWSP students, but students from other universities and community members are welcome to apply. All participants will be registered in a college course, for credit or audit at the same cost, and will be expected to participate in the program at an intellectual level. Application forms are available from the International Programs Office or can be downloaded from the International Programs website.
Approximately $3095-3495 for approximately one week in Nicaragua, plus two full day state side excursions, based on 15 fully-paying participants (first come-first-serve basis). This cost includes round-trip airfare (Chicago-Managua-Chicago), room, and in country transportation with meals included, 3-credits of UWSP Wisconsin resident undergraduate tuition, UW-System mandated health insurance, tours and lectures. (Graduate tuition at an extra cost – please see instructor for course numbers.)
There is no additional out-of-state surcharge for non-Wisconsin residents for this program, unless you exceed an 18-credit course enrollment for the Spring 2012 semester.
This trip carries a one course option for three transferable UW-Stevens Point credits. Students may enroll in HD 366 Families in Cross Cultural Context, or in one of the three EL courses specific to their major (e.g. HD 386, Family Resource Management in the Environment; SHP 330, Environmental Wellness; or FN 357, Ecology of Foods). Students who have already met the EL requirement may register for three credit hours of practicum or field experience in their respective majors. Please see your academic advisor for approval.. Graduate student credit is also available.
Jasia Steinmetz is Associate Professor of Food and Nutrition in the School of Health Promotion & Human Development. Jasia has travelled extensively, including Central America, Asia, Africa and Europe. She is a community nutritionist and sustainable food expert. In addition, Amy Wiza is Program Director of WI-Nicaragua, Partners of the Americas, will provide leadership; she has been involved with Nicaragua, partnering with communities her entire life.
Dr. Jasia Steinmetz (715) 346-4653 jsteinme@uwsp.edu
Up to ten weeks before the start of the program, all fees except the initial deposit of $250 may be refunded for withdrawal. After that time, airline and housing cancellation charges may be assessed. If the program must be canceled, all fees will be refunded. Because exchange rates and airline prices fluctuate, UWSP International Programs reserves the right to cancel, surcharge, or alter the program.
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