ARMENIA, COLOMBIA

Interprofessional Practice and Education in Armenia, Colombia

 

Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term	Year	Application Deadline (or as space permits)	Start Date/Check-in	End Date/Check-out
Summer	2023	March 9, 2023	June 4, 2023	June 11, 2023

Academic Service-Learning

This course is designated as an “academic service-learning” (AS-L) course. Your active participation in selected clinical, community, and cultural site visits in Colombia will allow you to apply knowledge from the course to local, national, and global health, mental health, and social issues. You will reflect on your AS-L experience with regard to its impact on your professional development as an emerging social work clinician and a potential future member of an interprofessional team. You will report AS-L hours (minimum 10 hours) to your faculty instructor and those hours will post to your transcript. You are required to respond to an AS-L Student Survey at the end of your study abroad program. The Weppner Center for LEAD & Service-Learning website, www.fau.edu/leadandserve, contains the survey link and information on the AS-L program.

Student’s Assumption of Risk Statement

I understand that there are certain physical risks inherent in every form of service-learning. I understand the risks associated with this Academic Service-Learning assignment. I agree to assume those risks in order to gain benefits from participation in this valuable learning experience. I hereby release the State of Florida, the Board of Trustees, Florida Atlantic University, and its agents and employees from any and all liability associated with my participation in this assignment at Florida Atlantic University.

 

 

Program Faculty Leaders FAU faculty have developed this program and will provide the academic instruction while abroad.	Education Abroad Contact
Dr. María Ortega, College of Nursing: ortegam@health.fau.edu	Brendan Richardson, Associate Director
Dr. Manny Gonzalez, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice: mannygonzalez@fau.edu	Phone: 561-297-3227
Dr. Mario Jacomino, College of Medicine: mjacomin@health.fau.edu	Email: brichardson@fau.edu

 

Location

Armenia, city, capital of Quindío departamento, west-central Colombia. It lies on the western slopes of the Cordillera Central between the Espejo and Quindío rivers. Armenia (named for the ancient kingdom) was founded in 1889 by Jesús María Ocampo and Antonio Herrera. Coffee, corn (maize), beans, sugarcane, silk, and plantains are marketed, and there is some light manufacturing. Armenia is the seat of the University of Quindío which FAU has partnered with for this program. 

Housing

Students will stay in shared hotels with other program participants. 

 

Program Cost and Funding

 

Program Cost

$2,089.00 program fee + tuition for the required program summer course(s) . FAU in-state or out-of-state rates apply.

Payment deadline will be in early-mid March (exact date TBA). Plan accordingly. 

Program Fee Includes:

• Accommodations from check-in through check-out date
• Most meals
• Academic workshops with two technical visits or practices
• Group welcome dinner
• Some local transportation
• Cultural and tourist activities
• Closing event
• International medical insurance

Activities and excursions are subject to change by faculty leader or program provider/vendor if needed. Replacement activity or excursion would be provided.

Program Fee Does Not Include :

• International Flight
• $200 administrative fee paid at time of application
• Tuition for courses/credits taken/required on program for social work and nursing students (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply) 
  
  • Medical students will not be registered for academic credit for this program
• Most dinners
• Personal spending money
• COVID-19 testing related to travel (entry or exit requirements) 

 

Health, Safety and Travel Documentation

All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program. 

1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips. 
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.

International health and travel insurance

All FAU students participating on an FAU Faculty-led Program will be registered in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. This is included in the program cost.

COVID-19

Students may be required to quarantine once they have arrived to the study abroad destination or isolate at any point during the program. If quarantine is required, it is the student’s personal and financial responsibility to complete prior to the start of the program so that they are available to participate for the program start date. It is the student’s responsibility to know and adhere to the public health guidelines where they are traveling, and to factor those requirements into their travel arrangements and budget.

Resources

• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory – Country Information: Travel Advisories (state.gov)
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
• FAU SHS: FAU - Health Advisory
• WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccines-safety
• Access to vaccine: FAU - COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Benefits of being fully vaccinated prior to departure for your study abroad program:

1. Reduced risk of denied entry if a country requires vaccination for entry
2. Reduced risk of having to get vaccinated abroad if it becomes mandatory in the country of study
3. Reduced risk of denied acceptance to one of our foreign universities
4. Reduced risk of denied acceptance into campus housing or host accommodations abroad
5. Reduced risk of spreading COVID-19 and its variants to other parts of the world, including the communities where we have programs
6. Reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 while abroad, which could lead to missed classes and excursions, mandatory quarantine or isolation, and other disruptions to the program
7. Increases student access to local events, services, and travel while abroad
8. Provides more flexibility in planning study abroad extracurricular activities, including excursions
9. The WHO and U.S. CDC agree that the vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19
10. Alongside our other prevention measures, the vaccine significantly increases protection for FAU faculty, staff, students, and international partners

Regarding increased access because of being vaccinated, please be aware that businesses and services may legally restrict access to exclude unvaccinated individuals. Local ordinances may allow the same. In such cases, FAU won’t be able to intervene or advocate on your behalf.

Travel Documentation

A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you are traveling anywhere abroad, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the Travel.State.Gov website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit U.S. Embassy.gov .