ColombiaPRLC 3800 Global Inquiry - Leadership and UN SDGs - Colombia

The Presidents Leadership Class invites our PLCers and other leadership students to apply for our PRLC 3800 Global Inquiry 2022 spring course traveling to Colombia. In an effort to have a unique study abroad component within PLC’s curriculum, we have partnered with CU’s Education Abroad office and a very experienced and reputable travel provider, Envoys, to evolve our existing PRLC 3800 Global Inquiry - Leadership and the UN Sustainable Development Goals spring semester class taught by Dr. JulieMarie Shepherd Macklin.

See the Program Brochure here ---> Colombia 2022 - PRLC 2800


When is it?  PRLC 3800 ( 3 or 4 credits) combines on-campus instruction during the spring semester (Tues/Thurs 12:30-1:45 pm), followed by a 10-day abroad component to Colombia after the last day of classes in May. Students enrolled in PRLC 3800 for Spring 2022 have the option to participate in both the on-campus instruction during the regular academic semester and the 10-day abroad component (4 credits) OR just complete the on-campus course (3 credits).

Course Fee: The total program cost is ~ $4,100 without airfare or meals. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarship funding to help with the cost as well as seek cheap/free airfare through accumulated miles (can be donated by someone else). PLC students can also apply for a $1,000 Enrichment Fund Scholarship to bring the cost down further.

The program cost of $4,100 DOES NOT include:

  • Flights (est. by Education Abroad to be ~$1,000)
  • Passport fees (est. by Education Abroad to be $145)
  • Some meals, snacks (est. by Education Abroad to be $180)
  • Spending money (est. by Education Abroad to be $120)
     

Does this course count for other requirements: Yes! This course counts towards your completion of PLC (PRLC 3810 or 3800) and it also counts towards Qualifying International Coursework for the Leeds School of Business. If you need an international component for International Affairs, please consult that department. This course also fulfills the Leadership in Context requirement for the Leadership Studies Minor.

Course application due date: PLC 3800 course applications are due by ASAP. Confirmation date TBA

Next steps: If your initial course application is successful, PLC will invite you to begin the official registration process through the CU Education Abroad office. Status updates and information on registering through Education

Questions: We know you have many questions about this exciting new programming initiative. Please see the FAQ section below to learn more about the course specifics.

Apply to PRLC 3800 - Colombia

 


FAQ's

  • PLC students who have completed PRLC 1810 and 1820 are eligible to apply for enrollment into this course.
  • Second point of entry students in the first year cohort are also eligible to apply for enrollment even though they are still completing the first year curriculum.
  • Students from other leadership programs at CU will have to submit an application as well and be accepted into the course.

    • Application Process

      • Students will apply to participate in Global Inquiry: Colombia. Students are expected to obtain or renew their passports during the fall semester in order to have them in their physical possession at the beginning of the spring semester.

  • Global Inquiry Contact Hours – PRLC 3800

  • Students will be registered for the spring section of PRLC 3800 (3 or 4 credits depending on option to travel). In accordance with CU policies, this 3-credit course will be comprised of a total of 45 instructor contact hours on campus, (1-credit) followed by 15 instructor contact hours delivered while in country (abroad). The campus classroom component will meet twice a week for 50 minutes (TTH 12:30-1:45pm). There will be a detailed syllabus with the designated class days issued later in Fall 2021. Directly after the end of the spring semester, the class will travel as a group with Dr. Shepherd Macklin, Class Advisor, TBD, and additional in-country support staff, to Colombia for a 10-day academic experience abroad. A specific itinerary for the program will be given to the students by the professor during the spring semester, prior to departing for the experience abroad.

  • Registering/Dropping PRLC 3800

  • Students cannot register for or drop PRLC 3800 without department consent. Once you have committed to the course, you will be registered by the PLC Program Manager, Jessie Kasynski.

  • Students who register and later drop can be subject to a financial penalty on their deposit. See the FAQs “How do Global Inquiry: Colmbia finances work?” and “What happens if a student withdraws from the program?

Express interest and apply early. With only 18 seats available for this course, space is very limited, keep an eye out for intent to register and registration instructions and complete any necessary tasks promptly!

There are no language requirements to take this course. Spanish speaking trip leaders will be with the group for the duration of the program. However, students are encouraged to learn some key phrases to enrich their experience abroad by enabling better communication with locals. Language apps are helpful, easy to download to smartphones and usually offer free versions.

  • Once the student has applied, been admitted to register for the course and has signed the letter of commitment, a non-refundable deposit of $400 will be placed in their student account. The balance of the program fee will be in addition to your spring semester tuition, which will be posted in January. The deposit and balance will be due based on the Bursars Office’s payment deadlines schedule.

  • Please note that the registration fee for the Global Inquiry: Colombia covers the program cost only. The cost for the 4-credits that correspond to the PRLC 3800 class is included in your tuition fees. For in-state students, as long as you don’t exceed 18 credits during the spring semester, you will not pay extra to take this course, as the cost of tuition remains the same for taking between 12 and 18 credits. For out-of-state students, the cost of tuition is the same regardless of the number of credits taken during a semester. For more information on tuition, visit the Bursar’s Office Tuition and Fees Rate Sheets page.

  • All ground transportation to and from the airport and during daily scheduled activities

  • All scheduled business and cultural visits including admission and scheduling

  • Accommodations for the duration of the program (students will likely share a room with another student(s) of the same gender)

  • Some meals in Colombia

  • Health Insurance for the duration of the program dates

  • Flights, passport fees, some meals, snacks

  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, water, free time exploration, etc.)

  • Tips for guides, drivers & hotel staff (typically a minimal expense)

  • All students may apply for spring semester PLC Enrichment Funds. If awarded, enrichment scholarship will not cover the entire cost of the program. Decisions will be made based on the quality of the application and the qualification of financial need. Awards will generally be given in the range of $500 - $1000, and are subject to the availability of Enrichment Funding.

  • Students can also use Federal and State financial aid to pay for the cost of the program.

  • CU does offer General Scholarships, but the application window does not open until November, which is after the deadline to commit to Global Inquiry: Colombia. Please also note that the "Buffs Abroad" scholarship offered by the CU Study Abroad Office cannot be applied.

  • Once a student has signed the Global Inquiry: Colombia Letter of Commitment, a $400 non-refundable deposit will be placed on their account. If a student should decide to withdraw after that, the deposit is non-refundable. This is due to the fact that reservations including flights, accommodations, tours, dinners, etc. are made months in advance based on the number of students that commit during the fall semester. Please do not commit until you are absolutely positive that you will be able to participate in the class and experience abroad, as well as be able to financially support the experience.

  • If a student has paid for the course in full and decides to withdraw during the spring semester, the amount that can be refunded (excluding the deposit) will be based on the travel provider’s (Envoys) schedule of refunds according to their contract with CU Boulder and travel provider’s costs incurred up to that point.

    • Student Forms

      • Participating students must complete all required forms from the CU Boulder Education Abroad office by the date specified in the spring PRLC 3800 syllabus. Completing these forms on time is an official assignment for the PRLC 3800 class and failure to do so will result in two repercussions: 1) 0% on the class assignment; and, 2) removal from the roster of students participating in the experience abroad.

      • There could be additional forms and registration as requested by our travel provider (Envoys). Completing these forms will be an additional assignment, due based on the provider’s necessity for the information. Failure to complete the travel providers required forms will result in the same repercussions as not completing the CU Boulder Education Abroad forms.

  • Passport

    • Students must have a passport in their physical possession by the first day of classes of the spring semester. Note that the passport cannot expire prior to November 21, 2020 (6 months after re-entry to the U.S.). This means all participants will have to apply for or renew their old passports by November 2019. Failure to do so will result in 1) 0% on the first class assignment, and, 2) removal from the roster of students participating in the experience abroad.

  • Prompt Email & Task Response

    • The course instructor, the PLC professional staff, the CU Boulder Education Abroad representative and the travel provider representative will be in frequent contact with student participants starting in the Fall 2019 semester and continuing until the end of the spring semester and completion of the experience abroad. It is imperative that students respond promptly to and complete all tasks as asked of them by these parties. Failure to do so can result in removal from the roster of students participating in the experience abroad.

    • Punctuality & Preparation

      • Students are expected to be on time for the flights and daily activities during the course. Tardiness will not be accepted. Students should also be prepared for the day’s activities according to the instructions from the faculty, staff leader(s) and guides. This means having proper formal dress for business visits or proper attire for a city tour; which might include but is not limited to comfortable shoes for walking, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellant, umbrella, etc.

  • Engagement

    • Students are expected to be engaged with all aspects of the program including business visits, city tours, cultural events, etc. from start to finish of the scheduled daily activities. Students are expected to show a high level of professionalism at business visits, as well as ask thoughtful questions and give the guest speaker or host their undivided attention.

  • Safety

    • Students are expected to abide by all safety precautions as outlined by the CU Boulder Education Abroad office online orientation, your PLC program leaders and travel provider. Students should not put themselves in situations that could place themselves, their classmates, program leaders or guides at risk. Students should abide by all instructions and precautions outlined to them by the travel guides and program leaders.

  • Conduct

    • Students are expected to behave according to the University of Colorado Student Conduct Code and the rules and expectations asked of them by PLC, the CU Education Abroad office and their site leaders. Disrespect of individuals or the rules will not be tolerated. Students should be aware that they represent themselves, PLC, the University of Colorado Boulder, the state of Colorado, and finally the United States of America when they travel with Global Spring Panama. Students will behave in a manner that would reflect well on all the institutions they represent.

 

  • Drugs

    • The use of any recreational drugs and prescription drugs not legally prescribed to you will result in an immediate dismissal from the program at the student’s expense. The use of marijuana or other illicit drugs in any form will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

    • Students are expected to abide by all expectations from PLC, the course leaders, travel providers, guides and the University of Colorado Boulder. Students are also expected to represent themselves, PLC, the University of Colorado Boulder, the state of Colorado, and the United States of America in a manner that would reflect well on all of these institutions.

    • If students cannot abide by these expectations, they will face any/all of the following repercussions at the discretion of the CU Education Abroad office, PLC faculty and staff, and Envoys trip leaders:

      • Student will fail PRLC 3800 for not meeting expectations while traveling abroad

      • Student will be reported to the University of Colorado Boulder’s Office of Student Conduct to possibly face sanctions as deemed appropriate by OSC.

      • Student will not be allowed to participate in future global experiences through PLC or the CU Education Abroad office.

      • Student will be sent home early from the program. No money will be refunded for the portion of the program that will be missed due to dismissal from the program. Student will have to make travel arrangements and purchase a flight home at their own expense.

It is the student's responsibility to plan ahead and be prepared for the end of the spring semester. Students living in dormitories must abide by their dorm's move-out policies and dates. If the program departs a day or more after the official day students are to completely vacate their dorm, it is the student's responsibility to plan accordingly for this brief lapse in housing. Typically, the last Friday of the spring semester is the official last day to move out of the dorms. Students should verify their dorm's move-out policy directly with their dorm administration, as PLC has no control over these policies.

Students with dual citizenship should direct any inquiries or concerns to  the International Student and Scholar Services office located in C4C Suite S355.

  • According to federal HIPAA regulations, students over the age of 18 do not have to legally divulge any medical information that could affect their ability to participate successfully in Global Inquiry: Colombia. The University of Colorado Boulder understands this regulation and will adhere to the privacy of our students.

  • If a student has a medical, mental or physical condition that could affect their health and safety, or that of others on the program, they should consider divulging this information to the CU Boulder Education Abroad office and PLC program leaders. Students do not legally have to do this, but this information could help save the student’s life or protect them and their fellow program participants in case of an emergency.

You will be provided with limited health and accident insurance through CU, and will be automatically enrolled shortly before your education abroad program begins. The cost is included in the program fee and the policy provides benefits that are often not available in your personal coverage. The CU Education Abroad policy is different from the insurance available to you through Wardenburg Student Health Center. You will be covered for most health and accident incidents in Colombia (including emergency evacuation), but please read the coverage summary for exclusions. Preventive care and risky behavior - such as driving, skydiving and bungee jumping - are not covered. More information on the insurance policy and dates of coverage can be found in the Essential Guide to Education  Abroad.

  • It is vital to understand that participating in Global Inquiry: Colombia is not a vacation. It is an academic program. If the goal of the student is to enjoy themselves while learning, be engaged in the daily activities and culture, while being respectful of faculty, program leaders and fellow classmates, that is acceptable. If, however, students plan to not be engaged with the program, make poor decisions and expect a lot of free time, they are encouraged NOT to participate.

  • Students will be engaged in activities including business and cultural visits daily, with an average schedule of 8 am – 5 or 6 pm. Some days will begin earlier and some days will end later. At the end of the day’s scheduled activities, students will have free time to eat, relax or possibly explore in a responsible manner.

  • Students should be aware that while there is free time, it is not excessive. If students want or need more free time, they should instead pursue independent travels and NOT participate.

There is NO group flight included with the program cost.Students are responsible for booking and paying for their own flights to and from Colombia. Please DO NOT book any flights until advised by EA/Envoys. Students are required to be in-country from the 9th through the 20th of May. There is flexibility for when students arrive and depart, so long as they are present from midday on the 9th until the morning of the 20th. Students will travel within country as part of the program experience, but are NOT responsible for making these arrangements. Those bookings and costs are covered within the program fee

 

  • Passport with an expiration date no earlier than November 21, 2020

  • Clothes for business visits as instructed by the faculty

  • Comfortable clothes and shoes for walking on cultural tours

  • Preparation for the elements (hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, umbrella, jacket/coat, etc.)

  • Money for personal expenses:

  • Currency: The unit of currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso. Unlike other South American countries, the US dollar in NOT accepted in Colombia. One USD is currently equivalent to 3377 COP (colombian peso). There are paper notes of COP$1000, COP$2000, COP$5000, COP$10,000, COP$20,000, COP$50,000 and COP$100,000. Counterfeit pesos are a major problem in Colombia and you'll notice cashiers everywhere vigorously checking notes before completing transactions.
  • ATMs: In the big cities such as Bogota, Medellin (pronounced Med-e-jin), Cali, Ibague, Cartagena and Barranquilla, ATMs and banks are everywhere. Keep in mind that if you need to see a teller, the lines can get be long. The maximum withdrawal is lower for foreign cards — most Colombian banks let you withdraw up to 600,000 pesos at a time (about $200). You’ll pay international ATM fees for most cash withdrawals in Colombia. Some ATMs tell you how much they charge, but some claim it’s not available. They vary between 6,000 and 9,000 pesos ($2–$3) per withdrawal.
  • Credit Cards: Credit cards are accepted in all major shops, hotels, and restaurants in Cartagena and Bogota. As with many South American countries, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most commonly accepted credit cards in Colombia.
  • Traveler's Checks: It is not advised to use traveler's checks in Colombia though they are accepted.
  • Notebook and pen to take notes at the business and cultural visits

  • Camera

  • Laptop (Colombia typically uses 110v, same as the US. If you decide to travel to other South American countries, you may have to have an adapter. You will need to purchase plug and voltage converters)

  • Small day pack

  • Toiletries

  • Prescription medication (enough to last the entire program in original labeled bottle)

  • Positive attitude to learn, explore and experience the host country

  • Additional packing instructions will follow in Spring 2020

  • Valuables (jewelry, computer, electronics, etc.)

  • Large items (sports equipment, stereo, etc.)

  • Excessive clothing and shoes

  • Alcohol, recreational drugs & paraphernalia

  • Negative or vacation attitude and tardiness

    • Traveling with Global Inquiry: Colombia can be strenuous. This is the nature of academic programs abroad, in that you will likely have a long flight through multiple time zones and then maintain a rigorous schedule of activities for the duration of the program. Students should be prepared for long flights, early mornings and a full schedule of daily activities. Students are highly encouraged to get a good night’s sleep, eat well and hydrate after each day to be fully prepared for the coming day’s schedule.

    • Global Inquiry: Colombia can also be strenuous due to climate differences, cultural differences, time changes, different government regulations and being away from the comforts of home. Students are encouraged to embrace these new and exciting challenges to the best of their ability. Students are also encouraged to speak with a PLC faculty or staff leader if they are having difficulty adapting to these new circumstances.