Dates
May 20 - June 4, 2013*
Application Fee
$100
Program Fee
$3,650
The Program Fee includes tuition and program expenses. Click on Program Fee for details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsibility of the participant.
Eligibility
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, including students who do not attend George Mason University.
Credits
Undergraduate
3 credits in:
SOCW 475, WMST 390, or CONF 385 or 399.
Graduate
3 credits in SOCW 676, WMST 600, or CONF 695
Housing
Hotels
Excursions
Too many to list!
See the itinerary below.
Contact
Denise Elles-Mdahuar via email or by calling 703.993.2155 or toll free at 866.468.1243. The toll free number does not accept calls from the 703 or 571 area code.
Faculty Info
This field-based study abroad seminar will focus on human rights, particularly women’s and children’s rights.

"By looking at individuals through a human rights framework, I believe that as social workers we can help women like the women we met today, find empowerment in themselves and through their communities. In Costa Rica, empowerment is not a concept of self, but more of your self within a community. I have found this to be a beautiful perspective to have, and have confirmed my feelings that without gender equality, reciprocity cannot exist in the world."
Eryn Clawson, Summer 2013 participant
Other themes of interest in this unique program include sustainable human, social, economic, political, and community development; intra-familial, gender-based, and community violence; poverty; and health and social services. Students will critically examine policies and programs related to these themes and their implementation.
Program Format
The seminar format combines lectures and active learning exercises with reading and writing assignments, videos, individual and panel guest presentations, and site visits to governmental and non-governmental organizations across levels, from community-based grass roots to national and international organizations. Click Here to read more about the program!
Academic Director

The program will be led by Dr. Dennis J. Ritchie, Enochs Chair in Child Welfare and Professor of Social Work at George Mason University and by Dr. Laura Guzman Stein, currently an international consultant in Human Rights, Social Work, and Women's Studies; Dr. Stein is a retired professor of Social Work and Women's Studies and Former Director of the Center for Women's Studies Research at the University of Costa Rica.
Dates: May 20- June 4, 2013*
You should plan to leave the United States at least one day prior to the program start date to arrive in Costa Rica for the first day of the program. You can schedule your return to the United States from Costa Rica for the last day of the program or choose to travel independently.
Do not purchase international airfare until you are advised by your Program Officer.
Program Fee: $3,650
The Center for Global Education Program Fee includes:
Tuition
Housing - hotel accommodation for the duration of the program
Travel insurance
Pre-departure orientation
Emergency medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to George Mason students. George Mason students can click here to download the CGE Global Perspectives scholarship application. Mason students may also use financial aid to cover a program's cost. If you are not a George Mason university student check with your study abroad office or office of financial aid to learn more about how to cover the cost of your study abroad.
How to Apply
Consult the How to Apply section for detailed instructions. Start by completing the online application. Pay the $100 application fee.
Note that all supplemental documents are required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact the Program Officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.


