San Jose State University
AC-5: Immersive Experience

n Summer 2018, study abroad program titled, Costa Rica: How not to draw a straight line was first offered. The program has been offered on an annual basis since 2018. SJSU Art students were given the opportunity to explore how Costa Rican Environmental laws, high costs and high taxation on imported materials have forced artists in Costa Rica to be creative and think outside the box in terms of how they produce their art sourcing local renewable materials. Costa Rica has set aside over 20% of its land as parks or natural sanctuaries. It set a goal of 100% clean energy by 2020, Costa Ricans achieved this goal five years ahead of their timeline. In this program our students get to learn alongside local artists and students about how to approach art sustainably, learning about the interdependence of ecological, social, and economic systems as a driver to identify and move towards the use of environmentally safe materials to produce art.

In January 2020, Gordon Douglas, professor of Urban Planning led a group of graduate students to Mexico City to explore how a megacity of 21 million people address urban growth and planning. Megacities, like Mexico City, have experienced human and environmental change at a massive scale from ancient settlement through colonial planning to every design movement of 20th and 21st Century urbanism. SJSU students explored these issues and themes through meetings with local planners, architects, and other experts, and a rigorous exploration of Mexico City and surrounding historic sites. The Mexico: Megacity Megadvcenture – Resilience in Mexico City program had a special emphasis on resilience and adaptation in all its forms, and included hands­ on service learning work with a local water project and met with experts working the sustainability and environmental considerations necessary in further development of transportation, economic development, and emergency preparedness in Mexico City.

Additional study abroad programs that are sustainability focused:

Sp 2017

Canada: Native Knowledge: Sustainability and Indigenous Peoples

Su2027

France: From Farm to Fork

Greece/Italy: The Changing Face of Europe

Grenada: Health Partnerships in Action

Guatemala: Guat’s up Guatemala

Puerto Rico: A taste of Paradise

Thailand: Hands on Thailand (HoT)

Salzburg, Austria: Salzburg Global Citizenship Program

Wi18

Brazil: Brazilian Urbanism: Past, Present & Future

New Zealand: Kiwi Power! Knowledge, Innovation, Wisdom, Inspiration

Su18

Costa Rica: How not to draw a straight line

Finland: Eternal Sun and Creative Fun (Focus on Global Health and Refugee crises)

France: Culture Through Science & Innovation

Greece/Italy: The Changing Face of Europe

Grenada: Health Partnerships in Action

Spain: A taste of Spain

Rwanda: Let’s Rwanda around

Thailand: Hands on Thailand (HoT)

Wi19

Brazil: Brazilian Urbanism: Past, Present & Future

India: Bridging Cultures, Changing Lives

Spain: A taste of Spain

Sp19

Canada: Native Knowledge: Sustainability and Indigenous Peoples

Alternative Spring Break: Puerto Rico Service and Culture

Su19

China: Community Service in Guilin

Costa Rica: How not to draw a straight line

France: Culture Through Science & Innovation

Greece/Italy: The Changing Face of Europe

Grenada: Health Partnerships in Action

Italy: Seaside in Sorrento

Japan: The Art of Japanese Cuisine

Rwanda: Let’s Rwanda around

Spain: A taste of Spain

Thailand: Hands on Thailand (HoT)

Wi20

Spain: A taste of Spain

Vietnam: Steps for Change

Mexico: Megacity Megadventure - Resilience in Mexico City (Prof. Gordon Douglas)