Social Work Program
Praxis social work programs draw upon a wealth of social programs available both from the governments of the region as well as from the non-profit sector. Programs include introductory seminars on the history and politics of the countries visited as well as the cultural and ethnic particularities. The PRAXIS staff maintains close, long-term partnerships with many immigrant and low income rural communities which are rich with possibilities for interaction and mutual service.
Areas of study may include:
Social policy Explore the history and current trends in social policy in the region.
Child welfare Study governmental child protection laws and systems, as well as the attitudes and cultural norms about adoption, orphanages, and kinship in Central American society.
Women´s Issues Costa Rica has a higher female to male income ratio than the U.S. Look into governmental policies, interview politicians and leaders as well as low-income women about their concerns in a variety of areas.
Adolescents Explore issues facing adolescents in Central America, including poverty, sexuality, pregnancy and parenthood, drugs, as well as some of the creative solutions local governments are implementing to help adolescents reach their full potential.
Immigration is an important issue in Costa Rica as a receiving country and Nicaragua as primarily a sending country. Study governmental policy, interview immigrants on both side of the border, contrast and compare with policies of other countries.
Criminal justice Compare outlooks on criminal justice and preventative programs, talk to incarcerated people as well as leaders in the criminal justice system.
Create your own emphasis using the extensive resources of our on-site staff.
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PRAXIS CENTER |
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SAMPLE ITINERARY |
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14 Social Work Service Trip with emphasis on Immigration |
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DAY |
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES |
LODGING |
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Day 1 |
Arrival, change money, orientation, settle into guesthouse. |
Guesthouse |
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Day 2 |
8:00 am Orientation 9:00 am Seminar on History of Costa Rica. |
Guesthouse |
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10:30 am Tour of San Jose |
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12:00 pm Lunch in San José. |
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1:30 pm Seminar: "Immigration in Costa Rica" |
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3:00 pm Free time for internet, etc. |
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pm: Cultural night, music (with English translation) by Nicaraguan |
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immigrants, testimonies. |
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Day 3 |
8:00-9:00 am "Family patterns among Nicaraguan immigrants" |
Homestays |
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am: Visit to immigrant community, meeting with leaders of the Network |
with middle |
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of Immigrant women" Lunch there. |
class Costa Rican |
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1:30 - 4:00 pm: Service with immigrant youth. May include tutoring English or |
families |
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computers, help with homework, etc. |
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Fieldbook assignment: Interview of immigrant youth (with help from Praxis staff interpreters) |
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5:30 pm Orientation to family stays and go to families |
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Day 4 |
am: Visit to Cartago basilica, Orosi valley, museum of colonial art, etc. |
Homestays |
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pm: Service with immigrant youth. |
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4:00 pm Group meeting. |
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6:00 pm Fieldbook assignment: interview Costa Rican about |
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immigration. |
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Day 5 |
8:00 am Seminar: "Post Traumatic Stress and Nicaraguan veterans & |
Homestays |
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families." |
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10:00 - 2:00 pm Service in the immigrant community |
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2:00 - 5:00 pm Free time for journaling, field book preparation, etc. |
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Eve: Interview with teen parents about their struggles, support from |
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parents and the school system, etc. |
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Day 6 |
8:00 am Conversation with Costa Rican social worker & visit to IMAS, |
Homestays |
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a government social service agency. |
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10:00 - 2:00 pm Service in immigrant community |
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2:00 - 5:00 pm Free time for journaling, field book preparation, etc. |
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5:00 pm Group meeting |
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6:00 pm BBQ, music, party with host families |
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Day 7 |
6:30 am Depart for northern Costa Rica with stops along the way to |
Small hotel in |
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coffee cooperative involved in fair trade and hike to Tacares waterfall |
La Cruz, Guanacaste |
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to enjoy natural beauty. |
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Day 8 |
8:00 am Seminar: "History of Nicaragua" |
Orphanage on |
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9:30 am Cross border, go to Ometepe Island, stay in orphanage. |
Ometepe Island |
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eve: Ice-breakers, introductions to children, youth and staff of orphanage. |
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Day 9 |
Service at orphanage in Nicaragua. (Teaching English, computers, |
Orphanage on |
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construction, vegetable gardening, etc.) |
Ometepe Island |
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7:00 pm Meeting with orphanage director about child welfare policy. |
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Day 10 |
Service at orphanage in Nicaragua. (Teaching English, computers, |
Orphanage on |
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construction, vegetable gardening, etc.) |
Ometepe Island |
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4:00 pm Meeting with adults about immigration to Costa Rica |
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Day 11 |
Service at orphanage in Nicaragua. (Teaching English, computers, |
Orphanage on |
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construction, vegetable gardening, etc.) |
Ometepe Island |
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4:00 pm Meeting with ex-combatants about the war in Nicaragua and PTSD. |
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Day 12 |
Recreation options on Ometepe: hike a volcano, horseback riding, relaxing |
Orphanage on |
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at the beach, natural spring swimming hole, hike to petroglyphs, etc. |
Ometepe Island |
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Meeting with healthcare worker about health effects of immigration. |
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7:00 pm Final party, music, dancing, piñata, etc. |
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Day 13 |
Take early ferry off the island, go to Mombacho Volcano National Park |
Guesthouse in |
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Option to hike around crater rim ($10) or do a zip-line Canopy Tour ($26) |
Managua |
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pm: visit to Masaya crafts village. |
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Final dinner and farewells. |
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Day 14 |
Depart for home. |
Home! |
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Note: These issues are just a sampling of what our staff can offer. We can also suggest appropriate readings for the fulfillment of acemic credit requirements on a variety of topics. |
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