STUDY ABROAD IN COSTA RICA
January in Costa Rica
About the Program
You’ll bask in near 80-degree days as you explore Heredia, ecological sites, national parks, beautiful beaches, and nearby hiking trails. Your three-week Ecology and Sustainable Development class, perfect to fulfill an elective or science requirement, will build your understanding of the recovery, preservation, and protection of the environment. With activities included, your stay in Costa Rica will be even more valuable and memorable.
Program Benefits
- Great location to immerse yourself in the local culture, and if you have a background in Spanish, practice your language skills.
- The three-week Ecology and Sustainable Development in Costa Rica class is a perfect elective or can be used to fulfill a major requirement, and you will earn 3 U.S. semester credit hours.
- Take your learning into the field and explore the tropics first-hand, engaging with scientists, park rangers, small business owners, and community activists passionate about sustainability.
- All activities, including meals and transportation, are included in the program fee.
Experiential Learning
To make the most of your three weeks in Costa Rica, IFSA takes your learning outside the classroom with multiple co-curricular activities each week – to introduce you to an incredible, biodiverse landscape and the locals who are committed to protecting it. These experiences may include:
- A day trip to Irazú volcano and a nearby coffee plantation.
- Hiking in national parks and discussion of Costa Rica’s national park system and management.
- A day trip to Sarapiqui to participate in a native tree reforestation project.
- A visit to a sustainable chocolate farm and processing plant.
- A meeting with owners of environmentally friendly hotels to discuss eco-tourism.
All activities, including meals and transportation, are included in the program fee.
Ecology and Sustainable Development in Costa Rica
Exploring environmental conditions in Costa Rica through practical field experiences, this course addresses the importance and challenges of ecological recovery, preservation, and protection. Using interdisciplinary approaches, students will confront the task of society to raise awareness for conserving natural resources long-term in Costa Rica and globally. Students will also expand theoretical concepts of ecology and its history in Costa Rica by examining the socio-economic and political relationships that promote—or sometimes prevent—sustainable goods and services such as ecotourism, development, and conservation research. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)
Afford Your Journey
Financial aid, credit card payments, and more are available.
Take the Next Step!
