Sabbatical
Whitworth University Costa Rica Center > Faculty & Staff >
Whitworth faculty are encouraged to consider taking their sabbatical at the Costa Rica Center. Here faculty may take advantage of doing research in a Costa Rican context, as well as teach one course in a context of experiential learning. In addition, faculty members may choose to have immediate family members accompany them during their sabbatical in Costa Rica. Faculty and their family can live in the Professor's Suite on campus, and become members of the CRC family. For the Spring 2011 Term, Professor of Sociology Jennifer Holsinger and her family joined the CRC community, as she researched and taught an immigration-themed discussion group for Core 350. For the 2012/2013 academic year Professor of Political Science Patrick Van Inwegen and his family will be joining the CRC community as well. Professor Van Inwegen will be teaching political science courses as well as continuing his personal research. Faculty interested in taking their sabbatical at the CRC should contact Director Lindy Scott (
lscott@whitworth.edu).
Here is what Professor Holsinger had to say about her experience at the Costa Rica Center:
"The decision to spend a semester at the Costa Rica campus required some sacrifice. I had to figure out the logistics of educating a school-age child abroad, find time to study a region of the world I knew nothing about, give up some time from my own research agenda, and think through all that goes into spending three and a half months away from home and the usual responsibilities. By the end of the semester these sacrifices seem minute in comparison to all that I will take from this experience.
"During my sabbatical in the spring of 2011, I have had the privilege of teaching Core 350 with Lindy Scott at the Costa Rica Center (CRC). Costa Rica provides a natural environment in which to explore questions and issues about policies and ethics. From a week spent in a faith-based foster home in a neighboring socialist country to a weekend spent in a village of fishermen trying to protect the future of their trade, these contexts bring new insights to relationships and processes involving worldviews, social problems, and community.
"A semester at the CRC afforded me many gifts. I had the privilege of accompanying students in an experience that has changed their lives. In addition, I was given the opportunity to do something that I love. I got to be a student again… of language, of culture, and of life. I got to hear stories and build relationships across many types of borders. I learned new techniques of teaching, new perspectives and new examples to incorporate in my classes. I was able to explore a beautiful country with my family and see my children grow in ways made possible by this journey. I also had the chance to see roots planted for a campus that will continue to grow in the years to come."
