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Costa Rica: Language, Society, & the Environment

San José, Costa Rica

Program faculty & staff

Christopher Vaughan   

Program Director

Supervises all administrative and educational program matters and coordinates the work of professors and staff. Serves as contact in case of emergencies and for general information about the program.

Mario Morera   

Spanish Language Coordinator

Coordinates all aspects of the Spanish language curriculum for the ACM Costa Rica programs.  Teaches one or more Spanish language classes.

Manuel Monestel   

Instructor

Teaches the fall class on Music, Society, and Identity in the Americas.

Paul Hanson   

Instructor

Teaches the fall class on Neotropical Biodiversity and Conservation.

Judith Magnan

Coordinator of Academic Services

Manages student placement and support in rural host families, as well as coordinating the Tico scholarship program, and supervising the library and computer services.  Judy is a graduate of Grinnell College and an alumna of the spring ACM Costa Rica Field Research program. 

Alejandra Loaiza Ch.

Financial Assistant

Coordinates all financial matters for the ACM Costa Rica program, including payroll, family payments, service providers, and building maintenance.

Iveth Duarte

Building Attendant

Is responsible for taking care of and maintaining the building, and she prepares food for all ACM events.

Hermes Sandoval

Security Guard

Don Hermes has been with ACM for many years- he opens the building in the morning, helps students exit the building at the end of the day and on weekends, and is also a good resource on a variety of topics from the weather and the daily news to soccer.

 

Costa Rica: Language, Society, & the Environment

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Natalie Talbert My semester in Costa Rica was the best semester of my college career so far. I learned more and grew as a person more than I thought possible. My independence grew as a result of navigating in an unfamiliar place, and seeing that I was capable of succeeding at this increased my confidence. Both my San José and rural stay families welcomed me into their homes and provided me with their own unique perspectives on Costa Rican life and culture. I especially enjoyed having the freedom to travel and explore the country, and I developed incredibly close friendships with my fellow ACM students. I am so grateful for the opportunities this program offered me, and it is an experience I will never forget.

—Natalie Talbert, Costa Rica, Fall 2008

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