Latin American Studies Program

The Modern Languages Department is pleased to offer the opportunity for students to study abroad through the Latin American Studies Program, a semester program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), an association of over ninety institutions, offers several semester and summer programs, including LASP, to students of its member institutions. Because Biola University is a member of the Council, our students can participate in LASP and wide variety of other CCCU off-campus study programs. These are available to juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.75.

The Latin American Studies Program is designed to deepen students' cross- cultural understanding and experience first-hand the multiethnic and multicultural world. It gives students the best possible scenario to integrate the study of both Latin American society and Spanish language.

Students have the opportunity to live and learn in Latin America through LASP, based in San Jose, Costa Rica. The program seeks to introduce students to a wide range of Latin American experiences through the study of language, literature, culture, politics, history, economics, ecology, and religion of the region. Living with a Costa Rican family, students experience and become part of the day-to-day lives of typical Latin American nations.

In addition to the regular programs of interdisciplinary oferings, four specialized academic tracks are available to qualified students:

• Advanced languages and literature studies
• Latin American Studies Concentration -- offered both fall and spring semesters
• International Business and Management -- offered only in fall semester
• Tropical Sciences -- offered only in spring semester

Students in all tracks earn 16 semester hours of credit. Those participating in the natural science track branch off from the main LASP group for six weeks to earn six of their credits in natural sciences.

Each fall, the LASP offers a specialized track for students majoring in business. Entitled "International Business: Management and Marketing," this program differs from the core program by offering six credits structured specifically for business students.