Women and Cultural Learning in Costa Rica: Reading the Contexts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v9i1.114Keywords:
Women, Cultural Learning, Costa RicaAbstract
This article reviews research on Costa Rica’s cultural context, student adjustment, and tourism theory as they relate to U.S. women student experiences there. It includes insights from ethnographic observations and interviews collected during three years of residential direction of a shortterm, small-group program in Costa Rica. It introduces an applied anthropological tool, based on a cultural learning model of participant observation, which may be used by study abroad practitioners to guide student cultural adjustment more systematically.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Arguedas, C. and Parrales, F. (2001, May 15) Saña imperó en crimen. La Nación. Retrieved February 17, 2003, from
http://www.nacion.co.cr/ln_ee/2001/mayo/15/pais10.html
Beisanz, M. H., Biesanz, R., and Biesanz, K. (1998). The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.
Bennett, M. J. (1986). “Towards Ethnorelativism: A Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity.” In R. M. Page (ed.), Cross Cultural Orientation: New Conceptualizations and Applications. Landham, MD: University Press of America.
Brecht, R., and Robinson, J. (1993). “Qualitative Analysis of Second Language Acquisition in Study Abroad.” The ACTR/NFLC Project. Washington, DC: National Foreign Language Center and American Council of Teachers of Russian.
Brecht, R., Davidson and Ralph Ginsberg. (1995). “Predictors of Foreign Language Gain during Study Abroad.” In B. Freed (ed.), Second Language Acquisition in a Study Abroad Context. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
Brodell, Jay. 2001. “‘Viper Lady’ Lies in Wait to Prey on Unsuspecting Old Gringos.” Tico Times. Retreived February 18, 2003, from http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/01_05_01_3.htm.
Casteñeda, Q. E. and Wallace, J.T. New Research and Theories on Tourism. Workshop presented at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meetings, Washington, D.C, November 29, 2001.
Cholakian, R. (1992) “Study Abroad: Paris.” Association of Departments of Foreign Languages Bulletin. 23 (2), 19-25.
Desruisseaux, P. (1999, December 10) “15% Rise in American Students Abroad Shows Popularity of Non-European Destinations.” Chronicle of Higher Education. A60.
Dowell, M. (1995) “Changing Perspectives Toward the Target Culture among Selected Program Participants in a Study Abroad Program in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.” Conference manuscript. Study Abroad: Research on Learning Language and Culture in Context, Ohio State University National Foreign Language Resource Center.
Drews, D. R., Meyer, L., and Peregnne, P. (1996). “Effects of Study Abroad on Conceptualizations of National Groups.” College Student Journal. 30 (4), 452.
Geertz, C. (1973). “Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture.” In C. Geertz (ed.), The Interpretations of Cultures: Selected Essays, pp. 3-32.
Graburn, N. H. (1983). “The Anthropology of Tourism.” Annals of Tourism Research. 10 (1), 9-33.
Herold, E., Garcia, R., and DeMoya, T. (2001). “Female Tourists and Beach Boys: Romance or Sex Tourism?” Annals of Tourism Research. 28 (4), 978-997.
Hess, D. J. (1997). Studying Abroad / Learning Abroad. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
Heyboer, K. (1999). “More Students Taking on the World as Their Classroom.” Star-Ledger, December 7, p.59.
Hopkins, J. R. (1999). “Study Abroad as Experiential Learning. Liberal Educatio. 85 (3), 36.
Hoye, W. P., and Rhodes, G. M. (2000). “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth . . . the Life of a Student: Reducing Risk in International Programs.” The Journal of College and University Law. 27 (1), 151-185.
Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos (2003). Índice de Cuadros y Gráficos. Estadísticas de Población. Retrieved May 15, 2003 from http://www.inec.go.cr/#
Jorgensen, D.L. (1989). Participant Observation: A Methodology for Human Studies. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Kolb, D. (1983). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Laubscher, M. R. (1994). Encounters with Difference: Student Perceptions of the Role of Out-of-Class Experiences in Education Abroad. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Lonabocker, L. (1997). “The Transforming Potential of Travel/Study Abroad.” College and University: The Journal of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars. 73 (2), 18-23.
MacCannell, D. (1976). The Tourist: A New Theory of the Leisure Class. New York: Schocken.
McMorran, C. (2000). “ Home Stays in Quepos: Nine years of Remodeling Homes from the Inside.” Final Reports of the 1999 Ethnographic Field School, North Carolina State University. Retrieved on February 25, 2003 from
http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~twallace/McMorran2000.PDF
Meisch, L. A. (1995). “Gringas and Otavaleños: Changing Tourist Relations.” Annals of Tourism Research. 22 (2), 441-462.
Nash, D. (1996). Anthropology of Tourism. Oxford: Pergamon.
Okin, S., Cohen, J., Howard, M., and Nussbaum, M. (1999). Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women? Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
Pruitt, D. and LaFont, S. (1995). “For Love and Money: Romance Tourism in Jamaica.” Annals of Tourism Research. 22 (2), 422-440.
Reeves-Ellington, R. and Anderson, A. (1997a). Business, Commerce, and Social Responsibility: Beyond Agenda. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press.
Reeves-Ellington, R. and Anderson, A. (1997b). “The Ethnology of Information: Cultural Learning through Cooperative Action Research in a Multinational Firm.” Accounting, Management and Information Technology. 7 (3), 139-168.
Shaffer, K. (1999). “Tico and Gringa Relationships: A study of Acculturation. Final Reports of the 1999 Ethnographic Field School, North Carolina State University. Retrieved February 25, 2003, from http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~twallace/FinalReport96.pdf
Szabo, M. (1996). Predeparture for Study Abroad: Perceived Importance of Components. Ottawa: National Library of Canada.
Talburt, S., and Stewart, M. (1999). What’s the Subject of Study Abroad?: Race, Gender, and ‘Living culture’.” The Modern Language Journal. 83(2), 163-175.
Tardanico, R., and Lungo, M. (1995). “Local Dimensions of Global Restructuring: Changing Labour-Market Contours in Urban Costa Rica.” The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 19(2), 223-249.
Taylor, C. and Gutmann, A. (eds.) (1994). Multiculturalism: Examining the Politics of Recognition. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Twombly, S. B. (1995). “Piropos and Friendships: Gender and Culture Clash in Study Abroad.” Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 1, 1-21.
U.S. Embassy, Costa Rica. (2003). Macroeconomic Report. Retrieved May 10, 2003 from http://usembassy.or.cr/lmacrocr102.htm .
Wagner, K., and Magistrale, T. (1995). Writing Across Culture: An Introduction to Study Abroad and the Writing Process. New York: Peter Lang.
Wilkinson, S. (1998).” Study Abroad From the Participants’ Perspective: A Challenge to Common Beliefs.” Foreign Language Annals. 31(1), 23.
Wolkoff, L. (2001, December 14). “Tica Wife Charged in Murder of U.S. Retiree.” Tico Times. Retrieved February 18, 2003 from http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/12_14_01_3.htm
Woodside, Sarah. (2001) Experience: A Qualitative Study of Female Student Perceptions of Gender Roles while Studying Abroad in Latin American Countries. Master’s thesis. School of Education, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
http://www.nacion.co.cr/ln_ee/2001/mayo/15/pais10.html
Beisanz, M. H., Biesanz, R., and Biesanz, K. (1998). The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.
Bennett, M. J. (1986). “Towards Ethnorelativism: A Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity.” In R. M. Page (ed.), Cross Cultural Orientation: New Conceptualizations and Applications. Landham, MD: University Press of America.
Brecht, R., and Robinson, J. (1993). “Qualitative Analysis of Second Language Acquisition in Study Abroad.” The ACTR/NFLC Project. Washington, DC: National Foreign Language Center and American Council of Teachers of Russian.
Brecht, R., Davidson and Ralph Ginsberg. (1995). “Predictors of Foreign Language Gain during Study Abroad.” In B. Freed (ed.), Second Language Acquisition in a Study Abroad Context. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
Brodell, Jay. 2001. “‘Viper Lady’ Lies in Wait to Prey on Unsuspecting Old Gringos.” Tico Times. Retreived February 18, 2003, from http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/01_05_01_3.htm.
Casteñeda, Q. E. and Wallace, J.T. New Research and Theories on Tourism. Workshop presented at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meetings, Washington, D.C, November 29, 2001.
Cholakian, R. (1992) “Study Abroad: Paris.” Association of Departments of Foreign Languages Bulletin. 23 (2), 19-25.
Desruisseaux, P. (1999, December 10) “15% Rise in American Students Abroad Shows Popularity of Non-European Destinations.” Chronicle of Higher Education. A60.
Dowell, M. (1995) “Changing Perspectives Toward the Target Culture among Selected Program Participants in a Study Abroad Program in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.” Conference manuscript. Study Abroad: Research on Learning Language and Culture in Context, Ohio State University National Foreign Language Resource Center.
Drews, D. R., Meyer, L., and Peregnne, P. (1996). “Effects of Study Abroad on Conceptualizations of National Groups.” College Student Journal. 30 (4), 452.
Geertz, C. (1973). “Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture.” In C. Geertz (ed.), The Interpretations of Cultures: Selected Essays, pp. 3-32.
Graburn, N. H. (1983). “The Anthropology of Tourism.” Annals of Tourism Research. 10 (1), 9-33.
Herold, E., Garcia, R., and DeMoya, T. (2001). “Female Tourists and Beach Boys: Romance or Sex Tourism?” Annals of Tourism Research. 28 (4), 978-997.
Hess, D. J. (1997). Studying Abroad / Learning Abroad. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
Heyboer, K. (1999). “More Students Taking on the World as Their Classroom.” Star-Ledger, December 7, p.59.
Hopkins, J. R. (1999). “Study Abroad as Experiential Learning. Liberal Educatio. 85 (3), 36.
Hoye, W. P., and Rhodes, G. M. (2000). “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth . . . the Life of a Student: Reducing Risk in International Programs.” The Journal of College and University Law. 27 (1), 151-185.
Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos (2003). Índice de Cuadros y Gráficos. Estadísticas de Población. Retrieved May 15, 2003 from http://www.inec.go.cr/#
Jorgensen, D.L. (1989). Participant Observation: A Methodology for Human Studies. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Kolb, D. (1983). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Laubscher, M. R. (1994). Encounters with Difference: Student Perceptions of the Role of Out-of-Class Experiences in Education Abroad. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Lonabocker, L. (1997). “The Transforming Potential of Travel/Study Abroad.” College and University: The Journal of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars. 73 (2), 18-23.
MacCannell, D. (1976). The Tourist: A New Theory of the Leisure Class. New York: Schocken.
McMorran, C. (2000). “ Home Stays in Quepos: Nine years of Remodeling Homes from the Inside.” Final Reports of the 1999 Ethnographic Field School, North Carolina State University. Retrieved on February 25, 2003 from
http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~twallace/McMorran2000.PDF
Meisch, L. A. (1995). “Gringas and Otavaleños: Changing Tourist Relations.” Annals of Tourism Research. 22 (2), 441-462.
Nash, D. (1996). Anthropology of Tourism. Oxford: Pergamon.
Okin, S., Cohen, J., Howard, M., and Nussbaum, M. (1999). Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women? Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
Pruitt, D. and LaFont, S. (1995). “For Love and Money: Romance Tourism in Jamaica.” Annals of Tourism Research. 22 (2), 422-440.
Reeves-Ellington, R. and Anderson, A. (1997a). Business, Commerce, and Social Responsibility: Beyond Agenda. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press.
Reeves-Ellington, R. and Anderson, A. (1997b). “The Ethnology of Information: Cultural Learning through Cooperative Action Research in a Multinational Firm.” Accounting, Management and Information Technology. 7 (3), 139-168.
Shaffer, K. (1999). “Tico and Gringa Relationships: A study of Acculturation. Final Reports of the 1999 Ethnographic Field School, North Carolina State University. Retrieved February 25, 2003, from http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~twallace/FinalReport96.pdf
Szabo, M. (1996). Predeparture for Study Abroad: Perceived Importance of Components. Ottawa: National Library of Canada.
Talburt, S., and Stewart, M. (1999). What’s the Subject of Study Abroad?: Race, Gender, and ‘Living culture’.” The Modern Language Journal. 83(2), 163-175.
Tardanico, R., and Lungo, M. (1995). “Local Dimensions of Global Restructuring: Changing Labour-Market Contours in Urban Costa Rica.” The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 19(2), 223-249.
Taylor, C. and Gutmann, A. (eds.) (1994). Multiculturalism: Examining the Politics of Recognition. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Twombly, S. B. (1995). “Piropos and Friendships: Gender and Culture Clash in Study Abroad.” Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 1, 1-21.
U.S. Embassy, Costa Rica. (2003). Macroeconomic Report. Retrieved May 10, 2003 from http://usembassy.or.cr/lmacrocr102.htm .
Wagner, K., and Magistrale, T. (1995). Writing Across Culture: An Introduction to Study Abroad and the Writing Process. New York: Peter Lang.
Wilkinson, S. (1998).” Study Abroad From the Participants’ Perspective: A Challenge to Common Beliefs.” Foreign Language Annals. 31(1), 23.
Wolkoff, L. (2001, December 14). “Tica Wife Charged in Murder of U.S. Retiree.” Tico Times. Retrieved February 18, 2003 from http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/12_14_01_3.htm
Woodside, Sarah. (2001) Experience: A Qualitative Study of Female Student Perceptions of Gender Roles while Studying Abroad in Latin American Countries. Master’s thesis. School of Education, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Downloads
Published
2003-08-15
How to Cite
Anderson , A. (2003). Women and Cultural Learning in Costa Rica: Reading the Contexts. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 9(1), 21–52. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v9i1.114
Issue
Section
Research Articles
