
This spring break study abroad program in Costa Rica will offer law and other graduate students an opportunity to learn about children's rights and explore how children's rights law is implemented in practice. It will focus in particular on the interrelated nature of children's rights. The course will be based primarily in San Jose, but will also include a two-day excursion to explore children's rights issues in rural areas. The course will be run in partnership with the United Nations-mandated University for Peace and its Centre for Executive Education, well known for their expertise in human rights and peace education. The course will have a mixture of classroom time and site visits. Through the site visits, students will meet with representatives from international organizations, governmental agencies, and local non-governmental organizations working to advance children's rights and well-being. The course may also include a service project during one of the site visits to a local community.

Students must register for and participate regularly in the Global Perspectives on Children and the Law course, which will include coursework on children's rights and preparation for the study abroad program. Please note: Georgia State University reserves the right to alter travel and other arrangements if required by circumstances.
Site visits include: international organizations, governmental agencies, and local nongovernmental organizations working to advance children's rights and well-being. There will also be a two-day trip outside of San Jose.
The course will meet regularly following the study abroad. This will provide opportunity to debrief, develop research projects, present research, and wrap up the course.
Accommodations
Participants will stay in a comfortable hotel rooms (double or triple occupancy) during the program.

This program is open to
graduate students in Good Academic Standing, which is defined at Georgia State University as a cumulative 3.0 GPA for graduate students or a 2.2 for law students. Please note that study abroad program size is limited and participation is contingent upon acceptance by the Program Director.
- Transient students should visit the
Transient Student tab on the How to Apply page of our website
- International students at Georgia State who hold F-1 visas must contact the Office of International Students and Scholar Services at
(404) 413-2070 to discuss possible implications of study abroad for their immigration status.
Students must register for
LAW 7652 Global Perspectives on Children and the Law. This course has no prerequisites. Students who successfully complete the course and study abroad program will earn
three semester credit hours at Georgia State University. Students will write a brief field reflection at the end of the study abroad program and will write a final paper on a topic related to the study abroad.
Program cost may vary at any time according to currency fluctuations and changing travel arrangements. The program cost is tentatively set at $2,660, PLUS regular Georgia State University tuition and fees. Nonresident/out-of-state students will pay in-state tuition plus a $250 fee in addition to the program cost.
Program Cost Includes:
- Hotel accommodations, double or triple occupancy
- Daily breakfasts & lunches, 4 dinners
- All ground transportation
- Excursions and entrance fees
- International insurance
Program Cost Does Not Include:
- Round-trip airfare
- Georgia State tuition and fees
- Passport or visa fees
- Additional meals
- Excess baggage charges and tips
- Personal expenses
- Travel not associated with the program
Payment Schedule
October 31, 2018: $250 deposit due
November 15, 2018: $1,160 payment due
Early December 2018: Program fee charged to PAWs
Early January 2019: $1,250 Remaining balance due along with tuition & fees for spring semester
All payments are non-refundable upon receipt
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Georgia State University students may use any financial aid they currently receive for the term they study abroad, including: Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and PLUS loans), Perkins Loan, HOPE Scholarship, and other scholarships.
Please note: due to federal regulations, these funds are not available in time to use for your initial payments!
Georgia State University students may be eligible for the
IEF Scholarship and the
International Access Scholarship.
Students who:
- Meet the eligibility requirements
- Are accepted into a program
- Pay a deposit by the deposit deadline
will be considered for these scholarships based upon the program application they submit.
Visit the scholarship page on our website or stop by the Study Abroad Programs Office for advisement to learn more about
other scholarship opportunities &
financial aid for study abroad.
Study Abroad Advising
Interested in studying abroad, but not quite sure where to get started? Meeting with a
Peer Advisor is your first step in studying abroad! All of our Peer Advisors have study abroad experience and can help you define your goals for studying abroad and point you to resources to make your study abroad experience a success. After you meet with a Peer Advisor to learn the basics about studying abroad, you are eligible to come in to meet with a
Study Abroad Advisor during walk-in advising hours. Study Abroad Advisors are here to guide you through the entire study abroad process, from choosing a program and applying to scholarships to making sure you're readjusting to life back on campus when you return.
To view our current advising schedule, please visit our website.
Location
Study Abroad Programs Office
Georgia State University
International Center
Dahlberg Hall, 3rd Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 413-2529
mystudyabroad@gsu.edu