Jamaica Study Abroad 2013 Program Information (Information may be subject to change)

July 5 - July 19, 2013 (15 days)

The focus of this two week program is study abroad and service learning in Montego Bay, Jamaica! Mo'Bay is one of Jamaica's most bustling cities, and also home to some of Jamaica's poshest beach resorts.

Begin your international experience in a culture that speaks your language, and lives life at a different pace. Enjoy a tropical paradise while doing something good for others. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY      

Service Learning

We will be volunteering at a primary school in Maroon Town, Jamaica where we will be engaging in volunteer work and service learning project twice a week between 9:30am and 3:30pm.

Last year, GPC was approached by representatives of Unlimited Love for Children Foundation. The foundation has been involved with outreach efforts in Jamaica to best meet educational and everyday needs of the impoverished community of Maroon Town. Maroon Town is a small city of just over 3000 residents southeast of Montego Bay. Approximately half of the community is currently out of work and their primary school has struggled to meet national standards in recent years.  Maroon Town has a rich history in African descendants who escaped Spanish colonialism and slavery and later stood in resistance to the British occupation of Jamaica and their desires for sugar plantation slavery.  Our students will learn about this history.

This program will have a strong emphasis on service learning. Students and faculty will assist the Maroon Town Primary School with its summer reading and computer literacy program. This program will take place Mondays & Wednesdays during our time in Jamaica and GPC students will assist with all aspects of program development and tutoring. Activities include tutoring children in literacy, computers and math, assisting with arts and crafts projects, and assisting with sports activities. The school has seen a decline in enrollment over the past few years as test scores have dropped and parents enrolled their kids in higher performing schools. GPC students and faculty will play a role in elevating this academic performance while expanding after-school programs and extra-curricular activities. 

Proposed Itinerary (2013 trip)

July 5 – Depart in the morning (8:30 a.m.) from Atlanta using direct flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica -  You must be at the airport no later than 6:30 a.m.  Arrive Montego Bay late morning around 10:45 am; drop off some luggage at hotel there and then go straight to the famous “7-mile beach” in Negril.  Short orientation at hotel and get settled in.

July 6 – Our day begins at Rhodes Hall Plantation for a tour and then 2 hours of scenic horseback riding through lush jungle and fruit/coconut groves. We’ll have lunch there as well.  In mid-afternoon we will arrive back at our hotel on 7-mile beach (most famous and beautiful beach in Jamaica). **
Optional:  In the early evening, we will visit Negril’s famous Rick’s Café for dinner (dinner on you).  Spend a second night in Negril.

July 7 – This is a day to enjoy everything the “beach life” can offer – your options (rent snorkel gear, paddle right off the shore to see the most amazing coral reefs and tropical fish in Jamaica; swim; sunbathe; scuba; jet skis; water slides, parasail, tubing, etc. – they’ve got every water sport available on this one beach).  Late afternoon we drive back to Montego Bay and settle into our base hotel there (Toby’s Resort).

July 8  &  10 (Monday & Wednesday) – Morning buffet breakfast at hotel between 7:30 & 8:30.  Depart at 8:30 in private van up to Maroon Town Primary School (1 hour away) to engage in Service Learning activities planned for each day.  Lunch will be served at the school cafeteria.  Depart school around 3:30 p.m. returning to hotel.   Rest of the day is free time or study time.

July 9  &  11 (Tuesday & Thursday) –  Classes held at the hotel in the conference rooms (specific class assignments will be given at the upcoming orientation in May).   Guest Lectures being arranged during lunch served at the hotel.   Mid & late afternoons free.

July 12 (Friday) - Depart at 9:00 a.m. for 3 day weekend to Ocho Rios and back.  Heading east, we will stop at the Greenwood Great House (historical plantation home w/history tour); then stop for lunch in Runaway Bay; then Dunn’s River Falls to climb the falls (you will get wet!).  Shortly after we’ll arrive in Ochee (Ocho Rios) at the hotel there.  **

July 13 – Free day for students in Ochee; per diem given to each student for breakfast & lunch; optional excursion to Mystic Mountain just outside of Ochee (multiple outdoor activities in this water/sports park – wear your bathing suits).  Mandatory guest lecture that evening at hotel from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

July 14 – 10:00 a.m. departure returning back to MoBay (Montego Bay) with a stop in Green Grotto Caves (large cave with history & geology tour); stop in Rio Bueno for lunch; then afternoon visit to Outameni Cultural Center (live culture performances and art displays); return to Toby Resort hotel in MoBay by sunset.  **

July 15 & 17 (Monday & Wednesday) –  Morning buffet breakfast at hotel between 7:30 & 8:30.  Depart at 8:30 in private van up to Maroon Town Primary School (1 hour away) to engage in Service Learning activities planned for each day.  Lunch will be served at the school cafeteria.  Depart school around 3:30 p.m. returning to hotel.   Rest of the day is free time or study time.

July 16  &  18 (Tuesday & Thursday) –  Classes held at the hotel in the conference rooms provided  (specific class assignments will be given at the upcoming orientation in May).   Guest Lectures being arranged during lunch served at the hotel.  
Mid & late afternoons free.  Final End of Program group dinner arranged at local restaurant.

July 19 – Breakfast buffet at hotel.  Midday Departure for Atlanta. 
 

Courses

(Choose up to 6 credit hours)

Please be aware that classes will be held on campus (Decatur and Clarkston) prior to the program’s departure date. Students from other campuses should plan to prepare accordingly. MANDATORY ORIENTATION FOR ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING THE TRIP WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 15, 2013 ON CLARKSTON CAMPUS.

PRSP 1010 will meet on  Tuesday and Thursdays from 1-3pm on Clarkston campus (Room TBA).  In Jamaica, 90 minute classes will be held Tuesday & Thursday at the hotel. (This class meets on May May 30-Jul 2 and from July 23- July 30 on Clarkston campus- Room TBA).
PRSP 1010- Perspective on Critical Issues: Caribbean Literary Studies (3 credit hours)
Instructor: Nicolette Rose

ENGL 2111 will meet on  Tuesday and Thursdays from 10-12pm on Clarkston campus (Room TBA).  In Jamaica, 90 minute classes will be held Tuesday & Thursday at the hotel.  (This class meets on May 30-Jul 2 and from July 23- July 30 on Clarkston campus- Room TBA).
ENGL 2111- World Literature I (3 credit hours)
Pre-requisite: ENGL 1102- English Composition II
Instructor: Nicolette Rose

ANTH 1102 will meet on  Monday and Wednesdays from 1-3pm on Clarkston campus (Room TBA).  In Jamaica, 90 minute classes will be held Tuesdays & Thursdays at the hotel. (This class meets on June 3-Jul 3 and from July 22- July 31 on Clarkston campus- Room TBA).
ANTH 1102-Introduction to Anthropology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisites: Exit or exemption from Learning Support reading or all ESL requirements except ENSL 0091
Instructor:  Ernie Guyton

GEOG 1101 will meet on  Monday and Wednesdays from 10-12pm on Clarkston campus (Room TBA).  In Jamaica, 90 minute classes will be held Tuesdays & Thursdays at the hotel.
GEOG 1101-Introduction to Human Geography (3 credit hours) 
Prerequisites: Exit or exemption from Learning Support reading or all ESL requirements except ENSL 0091
Instructor:  Ernie Guyton

Accommodations

During down time we will be relaxing at Toby's Resort in Montego Bay. Rooms are double occupancy, and have a private bathroom with bath and shower, and a balcony with a view of the gardens or the pool area.

Toby's is located approximately a mile from the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The hotel is at the beginning of the "Hip Strip", at the corner of Kent Avenue and Sunset Boulevard.

Duty free and local shopping just half a block away. Activities ,such as,  tennis courts, golf , horseback riding and water sports nearby.

Food is served 7:30am - 11:00pm at Toby's Good Eats, on the hotel property.

Program Fee

Apply Early! Students who apply before the deadline and make monthly payments find it easier to afford study abroad. Students who qualify may use financial aid and scholarships to pay for some of the costs associated with study abroad. Program fees do not cover tuition, registration at GPC or airport exit taxes. Cost is subject to change in the event of unanticipated increases in airfares or other program elements.

The CIE recommends all interested students meet with a Financial Aid Adviser as early as possible.

$ 1,800 Covers: 

• Round trip airfare between Atlanta and Montego Bay
• Accommodations in Montego Bay
• All program related activities
• Travel health insurance for the duration of the program
• Breakfast and lunch daily

Price does NOT include (What else you should budget for)

• GPC Tuition & Books
• Passport
• Personal spending money ($25 - $35 per day, depending on personal spending habits)

Download: [Budget Worksheet for Study Abroad Students]
 

Click here to Apply!