Students enriched by Costa Rica trip

Costa Rica

Daphene Koch, assistant professor of building construction management, led a group of 10 Purdue University undergraduates and graduate students on a service learning course in Costa Rica. They visited the country for 20 days in May and June 2011.

The students are from the colleges of Technology and Agriculture. In the Iroquois community, the students performed maintenance on a health clinic and build a 10’ x 10’ room addition on a house. The impact from both courses will be the learning through integrating disciplines and applying course knowledge through service to others.

A study abroad class for Spring 2012 was developed from this experience. Partcipants will travel from March 9 to 17, 2012, to learn about the construction materials and methods used in Costa Rica. Activities will include visiting construction projects and participating in a service project with a non-profit in San Jose, Costa Rica. The group will also be visit two Costa Rican universities to make connections with other construction programs.