STUDY ABROAD INFORMATIONAL SESSION- TROPICAL ECOLOGY- PCB 2350C PROFESSOR ROBERT SHUFORD Travel Dates: May 29 th - June 5 th, 2015

- THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST PHYSICALLY DEMANDING TRIP OF ALL THE STUDY ABROAD COURSES. -THERE’S A LOT OF WALKING, HIKING AND FIELD WORK IN THE RAINFORESTS.  PCB 2350C- COSTA RICA

1. FILL OUT AN APPLICATION: YOUR NAME ON THE STUDENT APPLICATION MUST COMPLETELY MATCH THE NAME AS IT IS OR WILL BE ON YOUR PASSPORT, INCLUDING YOUR MIDDLE NAME. WE GIVE THE NAME THAT YOU ENTER ON YOUR APPLICATION TO THE TRAVEL PROVIDER FOR TICKET ISSUANCE. IF THE NAME YOU PROVIDE TO US DOES NOT EXACTLY MATCH THE NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT, YOU MAY BE DENIED BOARDING YOUR FLIGHT, OR THE AIRLINE COULD CHARGE YOU A LARGE FEE TO RE ‐ ISSUE YOUR TICKETS. THE COLLEGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF YOUR NAME ON THE STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION. 2. PASSPORT: IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A PASSPORT, INCLUDE A COPY OF THE ID PAGE WITH YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PASSPORT, IT CAN TAKE UP TO 12 WEEKS TO GET ONE. PLAN ACCORDINGLY!!  Application/Passport information

1. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION AND ALL OTHER SUBSEQUENT FORMS YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY ALL PROGRAM RULES AND TO YOUR DEPOSITS FOR THE TRIP MUST BE SUBMITTED ACCORDING TO THE TIMELINES OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL SA PROGRAM. 2. THE IEC DIRECTOR AND/OR FACULTY/STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM. 3. THE COST OF ALL SA PROGRAMS IS BASED ON MULTI-OCCUPANCY. ALSO, DUE TO THE FLUCTUATION IN FOREIGN CURRENCY, FINAL PROGRAM COSTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 30 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE. PARTICIPANTS ARE LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS ABOVE THE ADVERTISED RATES 4. ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION. 5. MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL SA TRIPS WITH PBSC. THE COLLEGE HAS SECURED A VERY REASONABLE INSURANCE PLAN WITH GALLAGHER-KOSTER THAT WILL COVER YOU FOR YOUR TRIP. THE COST IS $37 FOR MOST STUDENTS DEPENDING ON AGE. THIS INSURANCE IS MANDATORY UNLESS YOU CAN OTHERWISE PROVE COVERAGE THROUGH YOUR OWN.  Program Information

1. APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION 2. CONSENT TO RELEASE CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT RECORD INFORMATION 3. STUDENT INFORMATION AND PASSPORT FORM (RM) 4. EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION (RM) 5. PHYSICIAN STATEMENT (RM) 6. PERMISSION FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT (RM) 7. RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (RELEASES COLLEGE OF ALL LEGAL LIABILITIES, PLEASE READ CLOSELY) (RM) 8. PHOTO/AUDIO/TEXT/VIDEO RELEASE 9. DRUG, ALCOHOL, DISCIPLINE POLICY (ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOUND IN THE PBSC STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT HANDBOOK PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE STUDYING ABROAD)  Forms to Fill Out (Applications and Risk Management ((RM)) Forms)

1. FOR ENTRY INTO COSTA RICA, YOU MUST PRESENT BOTH A VALID PASSPORT AND EITHER A ROUND-TRIP TICKET OR PROOF OF ONWARD TRAVEL TO ANOTHER COUNTRY. 2. COSTA RICAN IMMIGRATION NOW ALSO REQUIRES THAT YOU BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF AT LEAST $100 PER MONTH WHILE YOU ARE IN COSTA RICA AS A TOURIST. WHEN YOU LEAVE COSTA RICA, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A DEPARTURE TAX OF $29 USD.  Travel Requirements for Costa Rica

1. TUITION FOR COURSE (WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY FEE): RESIDENT $294.75NON-RESIDENT $ PROGRAM COST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS, SOME MEALS, SIDE TRIPS, RELATED ITINERARY, AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION COSTS: _$1500___ P/P 3. PBSC ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FEE: _TBD____ P/P 4. FLIGHT RATE: _$600_____ P/P 5. G-K INSURANCE: $ STARTING AT 37, IT INCREASES BY AGE GROUP 6. COSTA RICA AIRPORT TAX: $29 P/P 7. INCIDENTALS (FOR MEALS NOT COVERED, SOUVENIRS, TIPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING FREE TIME, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COSTS): TBD BY STUDENT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TOTAL: ____________________  Program Costs

1 ST PAYMENT FOR INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $600 IS DUE 11/1/ ND PAYMENT OF $500 IS DUE 12/1/ RD PAYMENT OF $500 IS DUE 1/5/ TH AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR TRIP OF $500 IS DUE 2/1/ TH PAYMENT FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE PREMIUM (AMOUNT DEPENDS ON AGE GROUP) DUE ON 3/1/2015/  PROGRAM COSTS

 QUESTIONS?  Please, visit: our website for outside sources of scholarship at:   And the below website for more info on Costa Rica: 