seed inside second
KU, Costa Rica Exchange
Interested students have opportunity for learning
on beautiful Central American campus
The little girl who plunged head-first through a rabbit hole into a completely foreign world over 100 years ago had nothing on David Diepenbrock.
His method of getting there was somewhat more orthodox, though. It all began two semesters ago when Diepenbrock first learned about KU's exchange student program for juniors. The one which intrigued him was the one held at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose. To further his major in Latin American affairs, he applied and was accepted along with 12 other students.
Diepenbrock, Shawnee Mission junior, has discovered that the junior year abroad program in Costa Rica can be just as exciting, if not as frustrating, as Alice's wonderland.
TWO DAYS before the new semester was to begin. Diepenbrock arrived at his destination. His first reaction was one of awe at the lush vegetation and tropical climate.
"It is without doubt one of the most beautiful campuses in the world,"Diepenbrock said. "There are 11 major buildings with a 12th one on the way. They are all designed in an extremely cleanlined modern style that fits to the lay of the land."
"And each building boasts balconies," he continued. He surmised they were built with the climate in mind, for the students are able to take advantage of the balmy weather there all year round.
"It never gets below 30 degrees or above 85 degrees," Diepenbrock said.
THE FIRST day of school turned the awe to "absolute terror." Diepenbrock said, as a group of Costa Rican upperclassmen descended upon the KU group to shave their heads.
"It's a quaint custom they have there to mark the new students."
Diepenbrock said, "but the three males in our group fought the idea. They were rather surprised at us, too. Apparently groups before us had submitted to this practice."
With classes finally in session, diepenbrock settled back to what he termed "eight months of play and one month of hell." He explained the courses are handled quite differently in Costa Rica.
"ALMOST ALL of them are lecture classes with no discussion. Many have no textbooks, so you have to rely solely on your notes.
"And there are no tests until the final exams," he said. "They even provided us with a stop week just before the tests," he added.
It's not a pud school by any means, however. "They flunk kids out with astonishing regularity in three areas," Diepenbrock explained. "Each student is required to take examinations in basic language (which for them is Spanish), basic philosophy (which is very similar to our Western Civ. program) and basic history."
"The TEACHERS are quite excellent." Diepenbrock stressed. "Even though they often adopt a now, kiddies' attitude to teaching, the university is outstanding. It is constantly moving and growing. It
Diepenbrock said these exams are oral and emphasize rote memorization of facts. "You just have to know—not understand—to pass," he said. "That's why most Costa Rican students take notes verbatim from lectures.
"They are not up to KU standards yet," he said, "but considering we are 100 years old and they are only 25, they will pass us in excellence in another 25 years if they continue at their present rate."
What about the social life there? "Dancing is very popular there," Diepenbrock said, "although chaperoning is still a very big thing."
Explaining that there is usually a big dance every couple of weeks with numerous mixers between, Diepenbrock said the students often go stag. "A group of five or six girls will go together with a chaperoning couple. Boys will do the same. They meet at the dance under the rigid and well-lighted conditions of the ballroom."
AMERICAN DANCES are popular, but are often several years late in coming. Diepenbrock explained the West Coast and Rockn-Roll were current while he was there. "There was some evidence of the Jerk," he said, "but they were unacquainted with the gyrations of the Dog."
Movies are also a favorite pastime of the younger set in Costa Rica. "There must be at least 30 theaters in San Jose alone," Diepbenbrock said. "They show mainly American movies with Spanish subtitles." Comparing the two, Diepbenbrock said the subtitle was often a milder translation of the English usage, even though there is no official censorship.
**IS DATING different in Costa Rica or are the students just like us? "Decidedly different," Diepenbrock emphasized. "There is no dating around. One does not date girl A, then girl B, then back to Girl A and on to girl C. It's either on or it's off on the first date."
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