GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE
INSTITUTE FOR CENTRAL AMERICAN STUDIES
(ICAS)
BACKGROUND
The Institute for Central American Studies (ICAS) is dedicated to the cause of peace, justice and the well-being of the people and land of Central America. ICAS was founded and incorporated in San Jose, Costa Rica in 1982, exclusively for educational purposes. Such purposes include: acquisition, maintenance and dissemination of reliable information about conditions and developments in Central America; facilitating dialogue about Central America and the issues that affect the region; and conducting study seminars, educational programs and language studies.
ICAS has no partisan allegiances or alliances. It is supported solely by income from its educational programs and by contributions from private organizations and individuals. Our journal, Mesoamerica, was published monthly from 1982 thru 2007 with the goal of furthering understanding of the realities of Central America. Mesoamerica provided accurate and timely reporting along with thoughtful analysis for 26 years. Regular coverage included economics and politics, as well as the human realities of the people of Central America, all within the perspective of the particular history of each country.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
For 26 years, our internship program provided valuable practical experience in the areas of journalism and Latin American studies, as well as the opportunity to live in a cross-cultural situation. Interns had opportunities to participate in seminars, attend press conferences, lectures and workshops, and take (or audit) university classes.
Though we were unable to pay interns, we treated them as though they were paid, professional employees. We expected them to work in a professional manner and to learn to work with us in professional journalism. This work included news analysis and writing articles as well as such mundane things as clipping and filing articles, folding and labeling the magazine. Our internship program required a minimum commitment of six months, with a minimum workload of 20 hours a week.
We required our interns to have a working knowledge of Spanish, because much of the research material is in Spanish, as well as a good command of the English language. Other than that, a willingness to work hard on behalf of a good cause was a primary requisite.
Between January 1982 and December 2007, more than 325 interns participated in our program, which proved to be extremely beneficial for them, as well as for ICAS.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
For more than 20 years we have conducted a variety of Field Studies and Study Abroad Programs for a variety of educational institutions in the USA. These institutions have included Elon University and of North Carolina; Furman University of South Carolina; Berry College and the Historic Black Colleges, located in and near Atlanta, Georgia; Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington; Latin America Studies Program of the Council for Christian Universities (93 institutions form this coalition); Chapman University in Orange, California; Central Connecticut State University; West Virginia State College; and Houghton College in western New York State.
For example, we operated the Chapman University's Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica for a period of five years. This was a 15-week, academic program for 12-15 students, for which they received at least 16 credits. The program began in early February and finished in mid-May. In '99 the courses offered were: two semesters of Spanish (101, 102; 201, 201; 345), Environmental Studies, Contemporary Central American Politics, and Indigenous Peoples of Central America. In ’98, Twentieth Century Latin American Literature was taught instead of Indigenous Peoples; in ’97 the fourth class offered was Cultural Heritage II (Amerindians and Afroamericans), and in ’96 Molecular Biology-Human Genetics was offered. The courses were taught by the ICAS staff and by adjunct professors from the University of Costa Rica and the National University, and during some years a Chapman professor accompanied the group and taught a class. However, because of changes in Chapman University's Study Abroad Office, this program is no longer being offering in Costa Rica.
We arrange housing (with Costa Rican families) for all the students, contract the professors, plan the field trips and excursions (all contacts, reservations, etc.), arrange the local transportation, and oversee the program.
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS: SPANISH & ENGLISH
The objective of the Mesoamerica Language Program (MLP) is to provide an affordable, conversationally-oriented Spanish learning experience. ICAS views language learning as essential to understanding and adapting to a foreign culture. Teachers are native Spanish speakers, and the methodology focuses on developing communicative skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
We offer an intensive Spanish program at all levels. We also arrange living accommodations with Costa Rican families in order to enhance the student's language and cultural assimilation, which enrich the learning experience.
MLP also offers English classes, again emphasizing conversation, to Costa Ricans--mainly to adults, but we also have classes for adolescents and children.
LEGAL STATUS
The Institute for Central American Studies was incorporated in Costa Rica as an educational institution in 1982. Our business license in San Pedro Montes de Oca is current as are all other required permits and insurance policies.
Linda Holland is
Director of ICAS and
Clifton Holland is Editor of MESOAMERICA.
