Introduction
This land has experienced many natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. During the 20th century, it was often torn apart with political conflict and war. Twice the United States intervened under the premise of protecting U.S. interests and security. Today, a peaceful society is adapting to becoming a true democracy and looking with hope to a better future. The closeness of family, community, and faith is rich and is the source of strength for many. North Americans are welcomed with open arms. There is an unforgettable joy in spending time with the children and sharing ideas and sweat with the community leaders. Join us on an experience that you will never forget!
Program City
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua located on the southwestern shore of Lago de Managua. A former fishing village, Managua became the capital of Nicaragua in 1824, after the Central American nation became independent from Spain, and Managua's location between the rival cities of Leòn and Granada made it an ideal compromise site. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of political powers throughout Nicaragua's history and has suffered two devastating earthquakes over the course of the 20th century. Managua is the economic, political, cultural, commercial, and industrial center.
Faculty Leader
Ken Bleile
E-mail: ken.bleile@uni.edu
Academic Program
Honors Course:
Course Objectives 1) Direct service in order to assess families and individual children 2) Gain insight into the internal affairs and the licensing process of the visited organizations and agencies in Nicaragua 3) Observe and participate in a culture different from that of the United States 4) Utilize learned material in an applicable setting outside of the traditional classroom.
Capstone Course:
Course Objectives: 1) Gain an understanding of how professionals and paraprofessionals work with micro and macro systems. 2) Gain knowledge of the past and current conditions of Nicaraguan society and how to interpret these in the framework of its unique history. 3) Increase knowledge of how disenfranchised populations and those working with them use macro and micro skills to achieve social change and enhance human potential. 4) Acquire knowledge to better understand strategies and professional skills needed to effect change and enhance empowerment for individuals and families at risk. 5) Further develop self-awareness and how to apply critical thinking skills necessary for an educated person in society. 6) Understand the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. 7) Acquire an understanding of how social policies impact communities and analyze policies within organizations. 8) Understand the importance of consultation and supervision when engaging in direct practice. 9) Increase sensitivity to cultural similarities and differences between the United States and Nicaragua. 10) Increase knowledge of schools and orphanages for children with disabilities in an around Nicaragua’s capital, Managua, and the country’s second largest city, Chinadego. 11) Increase understanding of lives of persons with communication disorders in developing countries. 12) Gain knowledge about government and non-government agencies that provide support services to persons with disabilities.
Accommodation & Meals
The team lives and eats together during the duration of the trip in Nicaragua. Studetns and faculty will stay in a US foundation that houses teams of volunteers and meals will be available for only a few dollars a meal.
Program Cost
Estimated cost for this program is $2,500-$3,000.
Students pay UNI tuition and fees (in-state or out-of-state), the $65 application fee, and the study abroad administration fee to participate. There will be additional costs for housing, food, books and supplies, round-trip airfare, international health insurance, and other personal expenses.
To ease the financial burden on participants, expenses are broken up into four main categories.
- The first large expense is the airfare; shortly after the program is full* and has been declared closed, participants will be notified by the Study Abroad Center how to go about purchasing the airfare (normally organized by Study Abroad Center).
- The second amount due will be for any reserved activities associated with the program (e.g., housing, local transportation abroad, some cultural activities, some meals); this amount will be due before the program start, usually in the spring semester prior to the program.
- Third, the UNI tuition and fees, the study abroad administration fee, and any remaining amounts will be placed on the U-bill.
- Finally, there will be onsite expenses consisting of meals, additional cultural program activities, and any other personal expenses.
*Note that summer programs fill at different times and so airfare purchase dates will vary greatly by each program. Please contact us if you have questions about a specific program.
Tales From Abroad
This past summer I completed my capstone in Nicaraugua with the communicative disorders group. I loved the experience of traveling, but not just as a tourist but as someone who was there with a purpose. While studying abroad my group provided hearing checks for children in schools and orphanages and offered suggestions to improve the children's language stimulation. I gained professional experience for my future career and had a blast doing it! It was a once and a lifetime opportunity and I am so glad I made the choice to study abroad.
-Anne Wessels, Summer 2010
Nicaragua was a country that challenged and impacted me both personally and academically! I am a Communication Sciences and Disorders-Speech Language Pathology major, and it was the perfect trip to introduce me not only to the field I am about to enter, but to a whole other world of options within this profession!We were generously exposed to the culture/people of Nicaragua, as well as to the specific service tasks we were 'about' while down there. It was amazing to work side-by-side with the people of Nicaragua; to be given even a glimpse of what their lives are truly like.It was eye-opening into the world around us and set a fire within me to continue traveling the world as much as I can! I would, without a doubt, recommend this trip to anyone and everyone - and if this trip doesn't seem like a perfect fit to you, find one that does! Its worth it!
- Mallory McKinley, Summer 2010
