12/04/13 jgm local
Up to 10 Fort Hays State University students will have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica as part of the International Community Service trip sponsored by the Center for Civic Leadership and Global Leadership Project.

Selected students will spend seven to nine days serving in Costa Rica.

"Alternative Breaks provide FHSU students with an opportunity to serve, lead and learn at minimal monetary cost to the students," said Brenna Johnson, Global Leadership Project student coordinator.

Student costs for the trip will include a $300 non-refundable deposit, a passport, visa, required immunizations, meals during travel, souvenirs and free time activities. The cost of airfare to and from Costa Rica will be provided.

The Center for Civic Leadership, the Office of the Provost and other sponsors will provide the cost of the volunteer program, Experience Mission, which includes a volunteer project designed to serve the people of Costa Rica.

Experience Mission was founded in 2003 by Executive Director Chris Clum as an outgrowth of a movement toward short-term missions. Since its beginning, EM has grown from a small, one-man operation to one of the leading short-term mission organizations in the United States, and the organization has an excellent foundation from which to pursue its mission and goals in the future. Currently, EM is recruiting teams and individuals to serve in more than 20 partner communities in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

Potential projects consist of building an addition or repairing a floor for a family's home or working at a local school or church. Previous construction experience may be helpful but is not required.

Students selected to attend the trip should have some experience with volunteer work, a willingness to learn and be interested in exploring another culture.

Virtual College students and international students willing to obtain appropriate travel visas are eligible to apply. Virtual students applying from outside the Hays area have the option of having a phone interview if selected for an interview. All students are expected to provide their own transportation to the FHSU campus.

For an application or more information about this opportunity, email glp@fhsu.edu, call 785-628-4497 or stop by Custer Hall, room 208. Applications are due Dec. 13 at noon central time. No applications will be reviewed after that.