Student Teaching in Bolivia

 

This is a student teaching program for Education Majors. This is an excellent opportunity for students to apply methods learned at Pitt Greensburg or Pitt Johnstown to a real-world teaching experience! Students will spend half of the semester in Bolivia and the other half on their Pitt campus to complete their academics and to student teach. The student teaching placement is at Calvert CCS - Cochabamba Cooperative School, a local international school whose curriculum is primarily in English. Spanish language lessons on site throughout the program will allow students to gain or improve basic language skills which will create a better connection to their host community.

During the program students will also get to visit two of Bolivia’s most famous sites. Students will take in the breathtaking scenes of South America's largest, and one of the highest in the world, natural lake, Lago Titicaca. In the Chapare, students will adventure through the Amazon, encountering monkeys, hiking through rainforests, and experiencing outstanding tropical fruits and foods.

Interested students at the Greensburg campus should contact Dr. Melissa Marks, Director of Education, at mjm37@pitt.edu and/or Julie Shannon, jas1140@pitt.edu 

Interested students at the Johnstown campus should contact Dr. Bethany McConnell, Program Director, at bmm93@pitt.edu and/or Lauren Perri, lap140@pitt.edu

 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • writing and implementing daily lesson plans that match standards and school curriculum
  • communicating clearly and professionally with students, teachers, and parents
  • instruction that uses "best practices"/effective teaching pedagogy based on student level and subject matter
  • helping to create an environment that supports diverse learners academically, socially, and emotionally

 

Bolivia is located in the heart of South America. It is a land locked country with the Andes Mountains to the west and the Amazon Jungle to the east. Our program takes place in the city of Cochabamba or “Llajta” (its name in Quechua). Surrounded by the spectacular Andes Mountains, this city is Bolivia’s third largest next to Santa Cruz to the east and La Paz to the west. During the Inca Empire, Cochabamba was used strictly as farmland to feed the entire Inca Empire. Remains from this empire provide an excellent opportunity for students to study this ancient civilization. In Cochabamba as well as in the other nine departments of Bolivia, the indigenous groups still practice their traditional customs such as the winter solstice, “Andean cosmovision” (Andean view of the earth), “koa” (ritual to Pachamama, Mother Earth), language, food, “Urkupiña” (a celebration to the virgin), and a “Cholita,” (a traditionally dressed woman). However, due to the Spanish Conquistadors in the 1530s, these indigenous cultures have been mixed with Spanish cultures. Bolivia is a very diverse country reflected in its languages, indigenous practices, politics, ethnicities, and customs. This makes Bolivia an interesting country. The Bolivian people are very proud of their country’s journey throughout history and keep alive their traditions which all too many countries have already lost to the Western World. Bolivia is an adventure within itself making it an amazing place to learn and grow.

 

Where You'll Live: 

Students will stay with a Bolivian host family arranged by Connect2Bolivia. Bolivian host families will offer the chance to not only learn about the culture but to immerse yourself in the language and improve your skills. Some meals will be provided by the host family. Homestays are in a safe location and are usually located nearby and close to shopping and areas of interest. 

You can expect your housing to have the following:

  • homestay with a local family [NOTE: housing arrangements are subject to change]
  • some meals (breakfast and dinner) 
  • linens and towels
  • internet in the home (may not necessarily be Wi-Fi)

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities, but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change. Contact your program manager with any questions. 

What You'll Study: 

The Student Teaching in Bolivia program is suitable for Early Childhood Education, Secondary Education, or K-12 Spanish language education majors. Students will earn 8.0 credits while in Bolivia: Student Teaching Abroad (6.0 credits), Student Teaching Seminar (1.0 credit), Spanish (1.0 credit). The Spanish language course occurs throughout the student's time in Bolivia. All students must also enroll in the corresponding 6.0 credit U.S.-based Student Teaching course at their Pitt campus prior to departure for Bolivia.  

The courses listed below are specific to Pitt Greensburg campus. If you are a Johnstown campus student, please consult your campus coordinator for the Johnstown course numbers. 

 

Secondary Education Teaching Seminar Abroad (IL1894)

1.0 credit. Pitt Greensburg course. 

Description coming soon!

K-12 Student Teaching Abroad (IL1872)

Seven-weeks in duration, this full-time experience is for teacher certification candidates in a student teaching center in K-12 programs abroad. Provides opportunities to observe, plan, conduct, and assess instruction in the school setting with professional feedback from University supervisors and experienced master teachers. Open only to early K-12 education majors approved for student teaching. This student teaching option must be registered for in conjunction with K-12 student teaching - US courses. 

K-12 Teaching Seminar Abroad (IL1874)

Weekly seminar that corresponds to student teaching abroad. Allows students to share experiences, gain insights, and move further towards certification process. Must be taken in conjunction with IL 1872 and the U.S. student teaching courses. 

Early Childhood Student Teaching Abroad (IL1882)

6.0 credits. Pitt Greensburg course.  

Description coming soon!

Early Childhood Teaching Seminar Abroad (IL1884)

1.0 credit. Pitt Greensburg course.

Description coming soon!

Secondary Student Teaching Abroad (IL1892)

6.0 credits. Pitt Greensburg course.

Description coming soon!

Spanish Independent Study (SPAN1901)

1.0 credit. Pitt Greensburg course.

Spanish will be taken throughout the student teaching experience in Bolivia. 

This program is facilitated on location by Connect2Bolivia and former Pitt Johnstown graduate, Alexis Wieczorek. Alexis will be your main point of contact while in Bolivia. You will have the opportunity to meet her virtually before departure. 

You will complete your required teaching placement at Calvert CCS - Cochabamba Cooperative School under the direction and supervision of current full-time teachers. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Lauren Perri

Hi! I'm Lauren, Program Manager for Arts & Sciences students. As an undergraduate student, I studied abroad in Marburg, Germany. Since then, my career in international education has taken me to many locations around the world. Particularly, I have an affinity for Florence, Italy. There is nothing quite like the challenge of navigating a new city, country, and culture! Let's chat about global experiences.

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways

Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email at lap140@pitt.edu

Your In-Country Contacts: 

Melissa J. Marks, EdD

Melissa J. Marks, EdD, is the Director of the Education Program at Pitt Greensburg and an advisor for the SPSEA chapter on campus. Although she will not be on site for the upcoming semester, Dr. Marks has traveled to this location and is very enthusiastic!  She teaches a wide variety of courses, including strategies, diversity, social studies methods, and general teacher education courses. Dr. Marks co-authored a book with Dr. Diane Marsh entitled How to Talk to Families About Child and Adolescent Mental Illness. Dr. Marks co-created the "Early College Experience" program for college-bound high school students with disabilities. She was awarded the 2009 PGAA Outstanding Faculty Award, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg President's Medal in 2010, the Pennsylvania Teacher Educator of the Year Award from PAC-Te in 2014 and the Pitt-Greensburg Distinguished Professor Award. Areas of research include teacher supervision, multicultural education and diversity, and social studies education.

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition Fees (8 credits) $4,552.00 $8,504.00
Program Fee $847.00 $847.00
Study Abroad Fee $400 $400
Total Billed for Program $5,799.00 $9,751.00

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Tuition for 6.0 credits at your Pitt campus Consult your campus tuition rates
Fees for half of term at your Pitt campus Consult your campus fee rates
Roundtrip Airfare + in-country Airfare $1,500
Personal Expense $500
Passport Fees $150
Visa Fees $160
Required Vaccinations & Boosters $350
Room & Board for half the term at your Pitt campus (if applicable) Consult your campus room & board rates

 

 

Above costs are for spring 2024 only. Fall 2024 prices will be posted in the spring semester. 

What's Included: 

As a part of your Student Teaching in Bolivia program fee, the following are included:

  • 8 credits for the program and student teaching experience in Bolivia (6.0 credits of Student Teaching, 1.0 credit of Seminar, 1.0 credit of Spanish)
  • Housing with host family in Bolivia [NOTE: housing arrangments are subject to change]
  • Meals: breakfast and dinner provided by the host family [see above]
  • Student teaching experience in a diverse school abroad
  • International travel health insurance
  • Excursions to Lago Titicaca (lake) and Chapare (rainforest) plus additional cultural activities

While your program fee will cover most of your expenses, keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

  • Tuition for 6.0 credits and fees for the other half of the semester at your Pitt campus
  • Roundtrip Airfare (~$1500)
  • Personal expenses (~$500)
  • Passport fees (~$150)
  • Visa (~$160)
  • Required vaccinations and boosters (depending on your medical history and insurance coverage) ~$350
  • Room and board while in Greensburg or Johnstown for half the term (if applicable)

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our Budgeting page for more information.

When You'll Go: 

Dates are generally flexible and can be determined between the student, home campus, and Connect2Bolivia.

What Else You Need to Know: 

Students are required to present their COVID-19 CDC vaccination card to our provider in order to participate in this program.

Students are required to present their Yellow Fever vaccination card when entering Bolivia. U.S. passport holders require a visa. 

Go beyond the classroom setting! In addition to student teaching, students will volunteer at a local youth center that enables children to go to school, and then receive extra help such as tutoring after school hours. This allows students to receive better grades and more opportunities in the future. The center also provides students with daily meals to make sure they are well-nourished and offers other activities such as sports. This is a unique opportunity to gain a better understanding of the culture, the language, and make a positive impact on the local community. 

Students must enroll at Greensburg or Johnstown campus for the first half of the term and pay TUITION and FEES for part-time enrollment directly to Greensburg or Johnstown. This cost is in addition to the Bolivia Student Teaching program fees listed. See www.greeensburg.pitt.edu or www.johnstown.pitt.edu for current part-time tuition rates and fees. Students must be enrolled in corresponding Pitt student teaching course. 

Similar to student teaching in Pennsylvania, it is important to show a clean record when student teaching abroad. For that reason, students must upload their FBI Clearances, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearances, and Pennsylvania Criminal Clearances to the Study Abroad Portal once accepted into the program.

As your body adapts to a new environment, you may find that you require a visit to the doctor from time to time. Doctor visits in Bolivia are generally inexpensive. However, you should plan to have enough money to cover any upfront healthcare costs (even when using your Pitt-provided ISOS insurance). If you have specific concerns, please reach out to your program manager.