The Nursing Summer Program is a joint venture between COSTA RICA STUDY ABROAD, UACA (Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica) and our study abroad partner the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, it was created to provide nursing students with the opportunity of a study abroad experience, to learn about a different culture, a new language and still make it a very important part of their careers.

With an 8 week duration, the program covers aspects that makes of the Latino patient a very particular one, issues such as culture, religion, gender, age and some others are studied to provide future health care providers with a wider knowledge of Spanish speaking patients.

The Costa Rican health care system is analyzed to provide students with a very good idea of how health care is approached in Latin countries, also some important diseases particular of the region are covered with lectures given by Costa Rican health professionals along with the medical director of our program, that not only provide the student with facts, but also with answers and examples to their questions.

Field visits are a very important component of this program, the possibility of visiting type A hospitals, Clinics and others, part of the social security system, along with visits to private hospitals allows the student to have a very good idea of how public health care delivery, co-exist with the private practice. Also the fact that students get to immerse in a rural site for a week and have a semi hands on experience at the local clinic and the health basic attention teams (EBAIS) provides a first hand view of  first level health care delivery. 

Catalogue Description:         

Explores the Costa Rican health care delivery systems and the social security concept that fundaments the system. Examines the historic, cultural, social, political and economic factors influencing the development of the system. Seminar format with exploratory field visits.

Credits:                                                3 credits

Course Objectives:

Describe the historical, cultural, social, political, and economic factors influencing the development and functioning of the system.

Describe the financing, organization and operation of the health care delivery systems and it's co-existence with the private practice.

Describe the educational preparation and the influence of social and cultural factors on the roles of health care providers with an emphasis on the role played by nurses and ATAP´s in preventive medicine.

Critically examine healthcare services provided to individuals and/or families across the lifespan in relation to the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of client's health.

Compare and contrast societal beliefs regarding human beings and health as addressed by the traditional and non traditional health approaches, as well as a comparison between the local system and the one in the United States.

QUOTES

"In one word: AMAZING! I had a great time through this program. I have never learned so much, not only about another culture, but also of myself. The program design was amazing, with experiences such as learning Spanish, living with host families, and learning another culture's health care system first hand. The coordinators went above and beyond everything I had expected". -- Lindsay Schmidt, Summer 2006 Overall I loved the program and I´am really sad to be leaving. But don’t worry I'll be back for round II in Feb!-- Laura Flynn, Summer 2006 I am so grateful I had the opportunity to participate in the Costa Rica-Nursing program. I will be able to understand the culture of my Hispanic patients and give them more appropriate care. I also will have a more open mind about cultural differences in health care. This program not only taught me a lot, but it truly changed my life!-- Carla Haworth, Summer 2006 "The care and dedication that we received from the program directors, professors, and our families was beyond what I had ever imagined. I would undoubtedly recommend this program to anyone aspiring to be a more culturally competent nurse." --Kristy Kemp, Summer 2006 The building is just perfect fro this school and the hand selected teachers are some of the best coordinators we could have! I love you all, you’ll be in my heart!-- Student, Summer 2006 Overall, I think the program was a huge success. I enjoyed learning about the CRHS and think that the professors at CRSA are amazing!-- Student, Summer 2006

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