PRAGUE - The Psychology of Culture, Food, and Human Development

In this hybrid program, we have the opportunity to explore course content on the Psychology of Food and Culture and the Cultural Context of Development on campus before traveling to Prague and surrounding areas of the Czech Republic (Czechia). The significance of historical events are evaluated from perspectives of trauma and resilience, motivation, and health and wellness to understand cultural determinants of behavior and to reflect on personal identity.

We will travel for the last two weeks of the quarter, to experience the beautiful and historic city of Prague, and it's surrounding region. We will experience Prague through its neighborhoods, markets, and museums and also travel to the nearby region of Moravia, explore food pathways and the impact of the Eastern Bloc communist state on contemporary food and life.

The history of the region, from the impacts of the world wars to the 40 years as an Eastern Block communist state ending with the Velvet Revolution, demonstrates the role of geopolitical forces in human wellness and development. Furthermore, the region offers unique opportunities to experiences reminders and legacy of central European history, from the cultural differences of the regions of Bohemia and Moravia, to the historical monuments preserved in the Jewish Quarter dating to the 13th century, and nearby Terezin, a Holocaust-era concentration camp. 

This study abroad program is taught by Professors Leighann Chaffee and Lisa Fleming from UW Tacoma. 

Academic Content

This program does not have any language requirements. Students must have taken Introduction to Psychology (TPSYCH 101) as a prerequisite. Students receive a total of twelve credits for the program as follows:

TPSYCH 404 - Psychology of Food and Culture (5 credits)

This course explores global perspectives on the social, symbolic, economic, and political roles of food and eating. The role of identity in the psychology of eating, including cultural, ethnic, gender and other dimensions, is situated in the past and present events of the region. Analysis of foodways, cuisine, and the contemporary food culture of Prague further contextualize research findings from the food studies and psychology of eating. 

Learning Goals Include:

• Describe the biopsychosocial mechanisms regulating eating and food choice.
• Understand cross-cultural similarities and differences in cuisine and eating practices. 
• Critically evaluate claims from media and products related to food and counter with scientific evidence.
• Contextualize psychological theories and methodologies among multidisciplinary approaches to studying culture.
• Identify aspects of intersectional identity and social factors that predispose specific food practices and their impacts on health and wellness.

TPSYCH 407 - The Cultural Context of Developmental Psychology (5 credits)

This course extends our understanding of human development by identifying Western methodologies and critiquing both current and historical developmental models. It explores the importance of culture to our understanding of the developmental processes and the political nature of developmental psychology. Analysis of the socio-political climate of the Czech Republic (Czechia) and its impact on the land and development of its people will be assessed. 

Learning Goals Include:

• Describe & critique empirical research on human development using a global lens.
• Explain ways that white supremacy, xenophobia, and colonial rule have impacted the culture and development of locals in the region. 
• Describe the main theories of human development.
• Identify and critically reflect on the variability and diversity of developmental pathways, and their own embeddedness in social, cultural, and political contexts.
• Evaluate the match between research and popular media and cultural portrayals of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
• Have a sense of how you may use what you have learned in this class in your life and in your future career.

TPSYCH 498 - Directed Readings In Psychology (2 credits)

Allows students to use directed readings and reflection assignments to engage with the cultural richness of the study abroad location under faculty supervision. Faculty will assign selected readings on the topic, with the plan of the text The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Mate, stimulate class discussion through prompts, and students will write an APA-style paper analyzing the reading in the context of their experience. 

Learning Goals Include: 

• Analysis of the text in context of the historical perspective and principles from class.
• Identify and describe concepts and theories from both courses in this text.

Program Schedule

The program runs from June 20 - August 19, 2022. Students will spend August 6 to 19 in the Czech Republic and will be required to participate in on-campus activities before traveling to the Czech Republic.

Housing

For most of the program, students will be staying in private apartments located in safe and central areas of Prague. While on a field trip to Brno, students will stay in a hotel. Rooms are double occupancy. 

Student Eligibility

Undergraduate students in psychology and related majors from any UW campus may apply. Graduate students are also eligible. Introduction to Psychology (TPSYCH 101) is a prerequisite.

The program best suits students who are self-directed and independent, and can apply principles from these courses to their study of psychology, other social sciences, education, and healthcare leadership.

Application Deadline

Applications are due on January 31, 2022. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by February 14, 2022. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 1, 2022.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to the Czech Republic.

Visas

There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens to travel to the Czech Republic.

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be travelling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $4040

Included in the cost of the program:

• $450 Administrative Fee
• Instruction (12 credits)
• Housing and some meals while students are abroad
• Program activities and program travel

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport in the U.S.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks

Payment Due Date: July 8, 2022

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $450 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid.
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Consult the Financial Aid section on the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 1, 2022 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodation