Lee, Lina

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryFaculty Travel Reports Global Education CenterSpring 2011Lina Lee, Associate Professor of Spanish, COLALina LeeUniversity of New Hampshire - Main Campus, lina.lee@unh.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_travelThis Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Faculty Travel Reports by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationLee, Lina, "Lina Lee, Associate Professor of Spanish, COLA" (2011). Faculty Travel Reports. 54.https://scholars.unh.edu/international_travel/54Lina Lee | Center for International Education and Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/lina-lee[6/14/2016 1:42:15 PM]Home UNH Home Contact/Emergency Center for International Education and Global EngagementLina Lee (far right) with colleagues from Institute San Joaquín de Floresand Academic Program International (API)Professor Lee at the Institute San Joaquín de FloresLina LeeAssociate Professor of Spanish - College of Liberal ArtsProfessor Lee traveled to Costa Rica in January to learn about overseas academic programs in San Joaquin de Flores and San José.Due to the current security situation in Mexico and the travel warning issued by theUS State Department, our Puebla summer study abroad program is temporarilyinactive. As director of the Puebla program, I was interested in seeking analternative program for the summer of 2011. After consulting with Claire Malarte-Feldman, the Director of the Center for International Education (CIE) and BethKilinc, the Administrative Director for Study Abroad, a summer program in CostaRica appeared to be a good option. Since many of our students have had a verypositive experience with the programs provided by the Academic ProgramInternational (API), I then contacted Julie Van Vechten-Smith, the Director ofCustomized Programs of API to discuss the possibility of establishing a six-weeksummer program in Costa Rica. With the support of CIE and API, in January, Ispent one week in Costa Rica visiting the study aboard programs offered by theInstitute San Joaquín de Flores, the Universidad de Costa Rica and the UniversidadVeritas in San José. The primary purpose of my trip was to gain first-handknowledge of academic programs sponsored by the Institute San Joaquín de Floreslocated 10 miles from San José.The Institute is situated in the colorful and quaint town of San Joaquín de Flores, a15-minute ride by local transportation to the town of Heredia, where the Universidad Nacional is located. It is housed in a colonial style buildingsurrounding by lush gardens with tropical plants, fruit trees and orchids. The two-story house has classrooms, lounges and study areas on eachfloor. Upon my arrival at the Institute, I met with the Academic Director, Alexánder Sánchez, the Assistant Director, Ana Alvarado and the APIResident Director, Esteban López to discuss course selections and cultural learning opportunities. Alex explained to me that the Institute was builtspecifically to be an academic and language school. The Institute offers a variety of Spanish language and culture courses taught by a team offaculty from the Universidad de Costa Rica and the Universidad Nacional. Volunteering and community service learning opportunities are alsoavailable for students. During the coffee break in a charming patio, I chatted with the professor who teaches the Spanish for nursing careers. Heemphasized that the linguistic and topical components of the course enable students to learn vocabulary in the health and medical fields andfurther develop their ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families in local clinics. In my view, the course is a perfect option fornursing and pre-med students.During my visit, I also had the opportunity to sit in one of the cultural classes. Iwas impressed by the amount of interaction that the professor and the studentshad in a small class setting. Obviously, the students felt comfortable speakingSpanish during class activities. Immediately after my class observation, I wasaccompanied by Esteban and Ana to visit a host family, who showed us the houseand shared with us their experiences of hosting international students over theyears. We even got a taste of famous Latin dessert “Arroz con leche” (ricepudding). What a treat! What I liked the most was that students are placedindividually with local families who live within walking distance of the Institute.Living with ‘tico’ (Costa Rican) families is the best way for students to improve their Spanish speaking skills. More importantly, thesmall setting and slower pace of life of San Joaquín de Flores allow students to haveexceptional opportunities for linguistic and cultural integration. In addition, studentsexplore the beauty, culture and history of Costa Rica through day and weekendtrips to volcanoes, beaches, coffee plantations, rain forests and more.With the assistance of API, I visited the Center of International Affairs and madeinitial contacts with the Head of the Student Mobility Section at the University of Costa Rica. I also met with Alejandra Barahona, the Director ofthe Center for International Programs at the University Veritas in San José to discuss a possible two-week summer seminar for Spanish and ESLteachers. I am grateful to the CIE for funding my trip and to API for hosting me in San José. It provided me with the wonderful opportunity tointeract and collaborate with the host institutes. With great enthusiasm and energy, I continue to work on the six-week customized summerprogram in San Joaquín de Flores for UNH students.About OISS Int'l Affairs Dual Major / Minor Study Abroad The World at UNH UNH Int'l Travel Policies & Resources Faculty AlumniLina Lee | Center for International Education and Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/lina-lee[6/14/2016 1:42:15 PM]Copyright © 2016, Center for International Education and Global Engagement  •  University of New HampshireHood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824  •  Ph 603-862-2398  •  Fax 603-862-0169Thompson Hall  •  105 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824  •  Ph 603-862-1288  •  Fax 603-862-0844For questions about this website          For UNH main directory dial 603-862-1234ADA Acknowledgement | Contact the UNH Webmaster

Lina Lee, Associate Professor of Spanish, COLA

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Faculty Travel Reports Global Education Center
Spring 2011
Lina Lee, Associate Professor of Spanish, COLA
Lina Lee
University of New Hampshire - Main Campus, lina.lee@unh.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_travel
This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Travel Reports by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Lina, "Lina Lee, Associate Professor of Spanish, COLA" (2011). Faculty Travel Reports. 54.
https://scholars.unh.edu/international_travel/54
Lina Lee | Center for International Education and Global Engagement
http://unh.edu/cie/lina-lee[6/14/2016 1:42:15 PM]
Home UNH Home Contact/Emergency
 
Center for International Education and Global Engagement
Lina Lee (far right) with colleagues from Institute San Joaquín de Flores
and Academic Program International (API)
Professor Lee at the Institute San Joaquín de Flores
Lina Lee
Associate Professor of Spanish - College of Liberal Arts
Professor Lee traveled to Costa Rica in January to learn about overseas academic programs in San Joaquin de Flores and San José.
Due to the current security situation in Mexico and the travel warning issued by the
US State Department, our Puebla summer study abroad program is temporarily
inactive. As director of the Puebla program, I was interested in seeking an
alternative program for the summer of 2011. After consulting with Claire Malarte-
Feldman, the Director of the Center for International Education (CIE) and Beth
Kilinc, the Administrative Director for Study Abroad, a summer program in Costa
Rica appeared to be a good option. Since many of our students have had a very
positive experience with the programs provided by the Academic Program
International (API), I then contacted Julie Van Vechten-Smith, the Director of
Customized Programs of API to discuss the possibility of establishing a six-week
summer program in Costa Rica. With the support of CIE and API, in January, I
spent one week in Costa Rica visiting the study aboard programs offered by the
Institute San Joaquín de Flores, the Universidad de Costa Rica and the Universidad
Veritas in San José. The primary purpose of my trip was to gain first-hand
knowledge of academic programs sponsored by the Institute San Joaquín de Flores
located 10 miles from San José.
The Institute is situated in the colorful and quaint town of San Joaquín de Flores, a
15-minute ride by local transportation to the town of Heredia, where the Universidad Nacional is located. It is housed in a colonial style building
surrounding by lush gardens with tropical plants, fruit trees and orchids. The two-story house has classrooms, lounges and study areas on each
floor. Upon my arrival at the Institute, I met with the Academic Director, Alexánder Sánchez, the Assistant Director, Ana Alvarado and the API
Resident Director, Esteban López to discuss course selections and cultural learning opportunities. Alex explained to me that the Institute was built
specifically to be an academic and language school. The Institute offers a variety of Spanish language and culture courses taught by a team of
faculty from the Universidad de Costa Rica and the Universidad Nacional. Volunteering and community service learning opportunities are also
available for students. During the coffee break in a charming patio, I chatted with the professor who teaches the Spanish for nursing careers. He
emphasized that the linguistic and topical components of the course enable students to learn vocabulary in the health and medical fields and
further develop their ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families in local clinics. In my view, the course is a perfect option for
nursing and pre-med students.
During my visit, I also had the opportunity to sit in one of the cultural classes. I
was impressed by the amount of interaction that the professor and the students
had in a small class setting. Obviously, the students felt comfortable speaking
Spanish during class activities. Immediately after my class observation, I was
accompanied by Esteban and Ana to visit a host family, who showed us the house
and shared with us their experiences of hosting international students over the
years. We even got a taste of famous Latin dessert “Arroz con leche” (rice
pudding). What a treat! What I liked the most was that students are placed
individually with local families who live within walking distance of the Institute.
Living with ‘tico’ (Costa Rican) families is the be
st way for students to improve their Spanish speaking skills. More importantly, the
small setting and slower pace of life of San Joaquín de Flores allow students to have
exceptional opportunities for linguistic and cultural integration. In addition, students
explore the beauty, culture and history of Costa Rica through day and weekend
trips to volcanoes, beaches, coffee plantations, rain forests and more.
With the assistance of API, I visited the Center of International Affairs and made
initial contacts with the Head of the Student Mobility Section at the University of Costa Rica. I also met with Alejandra Barahona, the Director of
the Center for International Programs at the University Veritas in San José to discuss a possible two-week summer seminar for Spanish and ESL
teachers. I am grateful to the CIE for funding my trip and to API for hosting me in San José. It provided me with the wonderful opportunity to
interact and collaborate with the host institutes. With great enthusiasm and energy, I continue to work on the six-week customized summer
program in San Joaquín de Flores for UNH students.
About OISS Int'l Affairs Dual Major / Minor Study Abroad The World at UNH UNH Int'l Travel Policies & Resources Faculty Alumni
Lina Lee | Center for International Education and Global Engagement
http://unh.edu/cie/lina-lee[6/14/2016 1:42:15 PM]
Copyright © 2016, Center for International Education and Global Engagement  •  University of New Hampshire
Hood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824  •  Ph 603-862-2398  •  Fax 603-862-0169
Thompson Hall  •  105 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824  •  Ph 603-862-1288  •  Fax 603-862-0844
For questions about this website
          
For UNH main directory dial 603-862-1234
ADA Acknowledgement | Contact the UNH Webmaster


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Lina Lee, Associate Professor of Spanish, COLA

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