JAN 403 - TRAVEL: Living in the Costa Rican Blue Zone: The Art of Being Whole through Yoga, Food, Nature, & Community

Please note: First-year students are not permitted to travel internationally for Jan Term
Travel dates: Saturday, Jan. 4 - Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025
Course fee: $4,000

Instructor(s):  Dana Lawton
Email:  dlawton@stmarys-ca.edu

This course is structured as an immersive experience situated in Costa Rica, specifically focusing on the Nicoya Peninsula renowned for its distinct Blue Zone lifestyle. The primary objective of this course is to expose students to the profound and multifaceted elements underpinning the exceptional longevity and well-being observed within the Nicoya population.

Emphasizing Costa Rican community dynamics, culinary traditions, and cultural nuances, this program integrates daily yoga and meditation sessions to facilitate students’ self-guided exploration. Through a comprehensive examination of Costa Rica’s environmental, political, economic, and social systems, both at local and global scales, students will cultivate a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms driving the country’s societal resilience and prosperity.

Daily yoga classes focused on asana practice, breathing techniques and mediation will prepare students physically and mentally to be present and open to new experiences, as well as serve as a basis for self-reflection. Field trips to local farmers markets, organic farms, and hiking in nature will be integral to the students’ experience when learning about Costa Rican culture.

As a culminating expression of their learning journey, students will manifest their acquired knowledge and insights in the form of a cookbook. This cookbook will serve as a platform to chronicle their experiences by selecting a specific recipe and intricately detailing the sourcing of ingredients, cultural significance attached to specific culinary elements, and the communal practices entwined with food preparation and consumption.

The overarching mission and goals of this January Term course encompass fostering a holistic understanding of Costa Rica’s socio-cultural fabric, promoting intercultural exchange and experiential learning, and empowering students to critically engage with global issues while honoring local traditions and practices.

Prerequisites & Notes
 

• Attend at least 1 information session

• Permission of the instructor

General Travel Requirements

• Attend at least 1 Health & Safety Orientation (October)

• Submit a valid passport (November)

• Apply or renew no later than September for on-time delivery

• Submit completed & signed health forms + proof of vaccination(s) (November)

Note: Failure to complete one or more of the above requirements will result in an immediate drop from the course. Once registered, all course fees are non-refundable. 

 

Credits: 3-CU