SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE

SERVICE / LEARNING PROGRAM
 IN HONDURAS, CENTRAL AMERICA
May 17 to June 8, 2005
(dates approximate and subject to change)

 

What is the Service/Learning (S/L) Program?

A unique opportunity to experience from every angle our Central American neighbor - Honduras.

o         To learn about its people, history, economy, and relation to the United States. 

o         To work side-by-side with Hondurans on community projects. 

o         To speak the language and appreciate the culture of our hosts. 

o         To visit the families and homes of new found friends. 

o         To enlarge our vision, gain new perspectives, and assess our values.

Who is involved?

Where will we be?

o         Heifer Project “Global Village” experience at the Howell Nature Center in Howell, MI. Orientation and two days of “Global Village” experience. 

o         Tegucigalpa. Several days in the capital city with lectures, site visits, a mini 2-day gender workshop and some rudimentary Spanish instruction. 

o         “Hogar Diamante” home for street kids in Amarateca. For several days we’ll live, play and work with the wonderful boys ages 7-18. 

o         Community Project, typically in rural Honduras. Work for six days on a local development project and learn about rural Honduras. 

o         Two day visit to the amazing Mayan ruins at Copán.

What will we be doing?
 

o         On the farm and in a village, working on projects according to the needs of the community – which could range from construction projects to helping build a rope bridge to hurricane clean-up.

o         Speaking with a model farmer and his family, an environmentalist, a women's group, children and teachers at school, health workers, university teachers, government officials, and many others.

o         Visiting villages, Mayan ruins, churches and schools, downtown Tegucigalpa, local restaurants, and more.

o         Speaking and learning the language, reading and researching, conducting interviews, and thinking, talking and writing about our experience and Honduras.

 What about...

·        Cost?

The cost of the program (including round-trip airfare) will be approximately $2000.  UR students are eligible to apply for Holt Summer Study Abroad Fellowships which may cover nearly half this cost.

 

·        Deadlines?

 

The application deadline will be January 30, 2005.  The application form is available here.

 

·        Credit?

 

Saint Mary’s College has approved the Honduras Service-Learning Program as a 3-credit course, “Poverty and Development in Honduras.”  Richmond students may apply to have these credits transferred; stop by the Office of International Education in Puryear Hall to pick up the required forms.  In the past, University of Richmond students have also completed independent study projects in their respective majors or received International Studies internship credit, Leadership Studies service/learning credit, or WILL service/learning credit for their work; but these arrangements must be made between the student and a representative of his or her particular program of studies.  Students from other institutions may arrange similar projects with their home institutions.

·        Prerequisites?

    • Current full-time enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university at time of application
    • A commitment to serving others
    • A minimum of one year of Spanish strongly recommended (but not required)
    • Agreement to do required reading on the history, political economy and culture of Honduras
    • A tolerance for hard physical work (possibly involving  picks and shovels), outdoor toilets, large (but mostly friendly) bugs, people you don't know
    • Above all, a spirit of adventure and curiosity, and...
    • A commitment to "Pass the Gift."

 

  • For more information, contact the UR Program Coordinator, Ted Peebles, or Saint Mary’s College Program Director, Elaine Meyer-Lee: 

Ted Peebles
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
G24 Puryear Hall, University of Richmond
(804) 287-6843
epeebles@richmond.edu

Professor Marc Belanger
Department of Political Science

Saint Mary’s College

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

belanger@saintmarys.edu

IMPORTANT STUDY ABROAD TRAVELER'S SECURITY INFORMATION:
As an essential part of the application procedure, students (and parents) interested in these University of Richmond Study Abroad Programs are urged to read carefully the International Travelers Security Information linked to from the SAFETY FOR TRAVELERS ABROAD section of the UR Study Abroad Welcome page
 
 

email  epeebles@richmond.edu - Ted Peebles,
UR Coordinator of the Honduras Summer 2005 Study Abroad Program,
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Last update: Jan. 2005