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Featured Country: Costa Rica
Information about this little gem of Central America from geographical and cultural facts to disability organizations and exchange programs in the land of the cloud forests.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica, located in Central America, is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, and the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to the west and east, respectively.
The capital city of San Jose, nestled in the jungle-clad mountains, has some beautiful Spanish colonial architecture as well as outdoor cafes, markets and museums and is home to the University of Costa Rica - San Jose.
Over 25% of Costa Rica is made up of protected forests and reserves. Within these protected areas, a variety of exotic birds, animals and insects can be spotted, and for the botanist, amature or professional, there are over 2000 orchids and other exotic plant species in the Monte Verde National Park.
The pure life ("pura vida") is a popular Costa Rican motto encompassing the ideology of a people living in peace, unflustered by the world around them, and appreciating nature, family and friends. In fact, the locals refer to themselves as "tico" or "tica" (female); a word implying an idealistic person who is very friendly, helpful, laid back, unhurried, educated and environmentally aware. As a part of this ideology, Costa Rica was the first country in the world to abolish its army and it gained its independence without a shot being fired.
Disability Information
Costa Rica has an equal opportunity law similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act that has focused attention on accessibility in government, public and private arenas, and is stimulating demands for accountability. The "Equal Opportunities Law For People With Disabilities" was enacted by Congress in May 1996 and is based on international documents such as the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities of Disabled People, the Interamerican Convention of Human Rights, the United Nations Children's Convention.
Its philosophy consists of the principles of non-discrimination and equalization of opportunities, defined as the process of adapting the environment, services, information, activities as well as attitudes to the needs of all people.
You can read more about the Equal Opportunities Law for People with Disabilities - LEY No 7600 at DREDF's website in the Spanish version or the English version.
Though Costa Rica does have federal disability laws, accessibility can still be a challenge. For example, San José's streets and sidewalks can be difficult to navigate for people with mobility or visual disabilities due to crowds, numerous cracks in the pavement and potholes. In downtown San José, a group of Costa Ricans is working with Kosta Roda (a group advocating accessible tourism) and has installed wheelchair ramps at many intersections. They are also working on widening doorways and improving bathroom facility access in hotels, public buildings, national parks and other tourist spots around the country.
Legislation was passed requiring all buses to have some accessibility by 2006. To date, however, only a few companies are in compliance. For people with mobility disabilities, a good resource for getting around, is the Association of Costa Rican Special Taxis (Tel: (506) 296-6443 or 396-8986) which has a fleet of 40 wheelchair-accessible vans able to fit up to 15 people.
Disability Organizations
Disability organizations working in Costa Rica can be an invaluable resource before, during and even after your exchange experience. Below is a limited list of organizations working in the country. For a more comprehensive list, visit MIUSA's on-line searchable database of disability organizations in Costa Rica.
(Please note that the the listings for the following telephone numbers are for Costa Rica and must be dialed using international country codes. From the U.S., dial 011 and then the number below).
- Asociación Costarricense de Padres de Niños Excepcionales (ACOPANE)
(Association for the Families of Children with Mental Disabilities)
Del Abastecedor Robert 200 S
75 E Guadalupe
San José COSTA RICA
Tel: (506) 234-0831
Fax: (506) 245-2635
E-mail: tedefusa@sol.racsa.co.cr
Asociación Costarricense de Padres de Niños Excepcionales (ACOPANE) is a member organization of Inclusion International, an international organization that advocates for the rights of people with mental disabilities through community resources and partnerships.
- Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Costa Rica (National Deaf Association)
Apartado: 6552-1000 - Central
San José 1000 COSTA RICA
Tel: (506) 221-0642
Fax: (506) 257-8074
Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Costa Rica emphasizes removing barriers to communication and improving the situation of sign language. Other major concerns include better education for people who are Deaf and improved access to information and services. - Consejo Nacional de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial
(National Organization of Rehabilitation and Special Education)
Dirección Postal 7-2170
1000 San Jose COSTA RICA
Tel: (506) 237-5523 or (506) 260-3839
Fax: (506) 260-1855
E-mail: info@cnree.go.cr
Consejo Nacional de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial is a national organization working to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in Costa Rica. They have a listing for most disability organizations in Costa Rica and information about disability laws. - Foro por los Derechos Humanos de las Personas con Discapacidad (Disability Rights Agency)
Apartado 365-2050
San Pedro de Montes de Oca
San José COSTA RICA
Tel: (506) 240-2302 or 253-7562 Fax: (506) 240-3545
Foro por los Derechos Humanos de las Personas con Discapacidad (El Foro) is a non-governmental organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities in Costa Rica. - Patronato Nacional de Ciegos
Cordinadora Costarricense de Ciegos
Apartado Postal 1480-1011 Y Griega
San José 1011, COSTA RICA
Tel: (506) 286-0302 Fax: (506) 227-3816
E-mail: panaci@sol.racsa.co.cr
Patronato Nacional de Ciegos is a national member organization of World Blind Union, an international organization that promotes equal opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired through recreational, educational, and employment resources. They can also offer assistance with Braille transcription, literary work on cassettes, loans for adaptive equipment such as Braille typewriters and more.
Exchange Programs
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) is currently seeking young people with disabilities from diverse cultural backgrounds to apply for an upcoming 16-day international exchange program to Costa Rica.
Tentative program dates: June 20 – July 5, 2007.
Application deadline: March 2, 2007.
Mobility International USA also has listed over 120 volunteer, professional, cultural, language and educational exchange programs to and from Costa Rica in the on-line searchable database. Check them out and start your Costa Rican adventure today! Below are a few sample programs.
Amigos de las Americas
5618 Star Lane
Houston, TX 77057
USA
Tel: (800) 231-7796
Fax: (713) 782-9267
info@amigoslink.org
http://www.amigoslink.org
Amigos de las Americas is an international, non-profit, volunteer development and community service organization that promotes leadership development opportunities for North American youth. Amigos de las Americas works to improve public health in Latin American communities and works towards better cross-cultural understanding on both continents through exchange programs.
Institute for Central American Development Studies
Dept. 826
PO Box 025216
Miami, FL 33102-5216
Tel: (506) 225-0508
Fax: (506) 234-1337
E-mail: icads@icsds.org & icads@icadscr.com The Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS) is a nonprofit center for study, research and analysis of Central American social and environmental issues for outbound U.S. students. Several students with disabilities have participated in ICADS programs. ICADS encourages students with disabilities to apply and is willing to make disability-related accommodations. (Please note that the telephone and fax numbers are in Costa Rica).
LASPAU: Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas
25 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-6095
Tel: (617) 495-5255
Fax: (617) 495-8990
E-mail: laspau.webmaster@calists.harvard.edu
LASPAU addresses the needs of North, Central and South American nations through development-oriented exchanges. LASPAU applications emphasize that candidates with disabilities are not discriminated against. Throughout the academic program, LASPAU program advisors address any disability-related issues or concerns that may arise.
International Deaf Partnerships Project
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695
Tel: (202) 651-5564
E-mail: cristina.berdichevky@gallaudet.edu
The International Deaf Partnership Project is an exchange program for Deaf and hard of hearing college students. Inbound/outbound exchanges and internships are both available through universities in Costa Rica and Mexico. The exchange program combines a semester internship experience in Costa Rica with course work offered in Costa Rican Sign Language.
Success Oriented Achievement Realized (SOAR)
P.O. Box 388
Balsam, NC 28707
Tel: 828-456-3435
Fax 828-456-3449
E-mail: ed@soarnc.org
SOAR serves youth with learning disabilities or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder who want to build life skills through adventure opportunities in the U.S. and Latin America.
Language Schools / Programs
Immerse yourself in the language, culture, history and daily life - 'the pura vida' - of Costa Rica! There is no better way to learn a language than to live where it is spoken EVERY DAY!
Jungle? Beach? Colonial city? Rural village? Classroom or university? Where do you want to learn Spanish? With a variety of programs to choose from, there is something for everyone in Costa Rica. Below are just a few of the programs available to study Spanish in Costa Rica.
Adventures in Real Communication
Adventures in Real Communication offers long term homestay, language and cultural exchanges for students ages 11 to 18.
AmeriSpan Unlimited
AmeriSpan Unlimited is a privately run company that specializes in Spanish Immersion, Volunteer/Intern and Educational Travel programs throughout Latin America and Spain. Programs are open to everyone including professionals and families.
Costa Rica Spanish Institute
Costa Rica Spanish Institute is a Spanish language school in Costa Rica offering intensive Spanish language instruction. Students live with a local host family while attending classes.
Elderhostel
Elderhostel combines education and hostelling for citizens 55 and older. They offer short-term, low-cost, and residential academic programs. Language, homestay, and community service opportunities also exist.
Enforex Spanish Language School
ENFOREX, Center of International Studies specializes in intensive Spanish language education for students and professionals from around the world.
Eurolingua Institute
The Eurolingua Institute (EI) is a for-profit organization offering intensive language programs and cultural homestays through over 70 institutes worldwide to participants ages 16 to 75.
Languages Abroad
Languages Abroad is an international language-travel organization offering individuals, families, students and groups to language programs that best suit their needs, interests and preferences.
Spanish Abroad Inc
Spanish Abroad, Inc., offers customized Spanish language programs at various locations throughout the Spanish speaking world. It's programs are open to teens, students, adults and professionals
For more information on Spanish language programs and schools in Costa Rica, go to the following links or 'google' "Spanish Language Schools in Costa Rica"
Forester Instituto Internacional
Language Guide - Get a head start on Spanish and many other languages!
Funding, Scholarships, Fellowships and Internships
Listed below is a sample list of scholarship/grant/and fellowship opportunities.
The Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University, Cultural Experiences Abroad, International Studies Abroad, and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Laureate International Universities also offer scholarships through their exchange programs.
You can find more information about funding, scholarships, fellowships and internships through various organizations including the U.S. Department of State by visiting the NCDE financial aid or IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding web pages. A few sample programs are listed below.
Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowships
U.S Embassy, San Jose - Fulbright Programs in Costa Rica (Spanish)
Council of International Exchange of Scholars (CIES)
Others
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Sponsored by United States Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs
Administered by Institute of International Education (IIE)
Assistant Manager
Institute of International Education
520 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 740
Houston, TX 77027
Tel: 713-621-6300
Fax: (713) 621-0876
Email: gilman@iie.org
The Gilman International Scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding
James R Scobie Memorial Award
Sponsored by Conference on Latin American History
Award Coordinator
The Conference on Latin American History
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Tel: (530) 752-3046
Fax: (530) 752-8964
Email: clah@ucdavis.edu
The purpose of the award is to permit a short, exploratory research trip abroad (normally four to twelve weeks) to determine the feasibility of a Ph. D. dissertation topic dealing with some facet of Latin American history
OAS Fellowship
Sponsored by Organization of American States (OAS)
Administered by Organization of American States (OAS)
Scholarship Coordinator
Educational Portal of the Americas
1889 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 458-6166
Email: fellcon4@iacd.oas.org
Every year, the OAS provides several hundred fellowships for graduate studies and research, fellowships for undergraduate studies at universities through the region and awards for specialized, short-term training at educational institutions and training centers in OAS Member and Observer States.
General Information
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Embassy of Costa Rica Costa Rica National Tourist Bureau |
Related Links
Country and Exchange Information
Costa Rica - Featured Country from IIE Passport
BBC Costa Rica Country Profile
Tour Companies
Accessible Journeys - Costa Rica
Website of Tour Company for those with Disabilities
Eco-Adventure International - Accessible Costa Rica
Website for Eco-Tour for Those with Disabilities
Wilderness Inquiry
Organizes a wide variety of canoe, sea kayak, dogsled, rafting, horse pack, and hiking trips in Africa, North America, Oceania, and other regions of the world. All trips include people with and without disabilities working together to make the outdoor adventures open to everyone.
Disability-related Articles
U.S. Department of State's Report on Human Rights in Costa Rica
Disability Policies, Statistics and Strategies in Latin America and the Carribean
Interview with Luis Fernando Astorga: Bringing Costa Rica to Disability World
Berkeley Disability Group Shares Insights with Costa Rican Disability Activists
Stories About Costa Rica
Read the experiences of others with disabilities who have participated in exchange to Costa Rica or find other success stories for other destinations.
"Costa Rica Trip Proves Unforgettable"
by Sarah Snyder
"Friendships in Costa Rica"
by Debbie Buhler
"Multi-Cultural Exchange to Costa Rica"
by Andrea Siow
"My Experience in Costa Rica"
by Erick López
"Outside the Classroom: Environmental Fieldwork in Costa Rica"
by Rhonda Neuhaus
"The Five Stages of the Exchange Group"
by Jessica Lorenz
"Tips for Overseas Travel to Costa Rica"
by Mary Ann Curulla Higgins and Tracee Garner
Although efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, MIUSA/NCDE cannot be held liable for inaccuracy,misinterpretation or complaints arising from these listings. Mention of an organization, company, service or resource should not be construed as an endorsement by MIUSA/NCDE. Please advise NCDE of any inaccuracies you may find.
Marshall Scholarship offers two year fellowship to US Citizens to study in the UK