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The School for Field Studies - Sustainable Development Studies (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Atenas, Costa Rica
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Study Abroad Advisor: Contact peeradvisors@wm.edu for your regional staff advisor







 Click here for a definition of this term Program Type: Outside Program
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English, Spanish Click here for a definition of this term Housing Options: Standard Student Dorm
Program Description:

COSTA RICA SEMESTER: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES


PROGRAM DETAILS

  • Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Credits: 18 semester-hour credits
  • Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science; 18 years of age
  • Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Early applications encouraged
  • Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans


OVERVIEW

Experience a semester of sustainability in Costa Rica, home to rainforests, volcanoes, rushing waterfalls, and a laid-back culture that reflects the national motto: “Pura Vida.” Explore the country’s many diverse parks, farms, and reserves to learn how Costa Ricans have balanced conservation and development issues. Wrap up the semester in the field, collecting data for your research project.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Explore the cloud forests of Monteverde, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, to study hummingbird ecology and sustainable land management.
  • Take an expedition to Panama: Explore Panama City and the canal before heading to the cloud forests and coffee plantations of the Chiriqui Highlands.
  • Tour a local coffee farm and a sustainable permaculture homestead to learn how Costa Ricans have successfully combined agriculture and conservation.

THE FIELD STATION:
SFS students live and study at the Center for Sustainable Development Studies. The Center is an active organic farm overlooking the vibrant Central Valley, where green is the predominant color as far as the eye can see. Dorms and classrooms intermingle with orchards and gardens, while Center dog Hera keeps watch over it all. The friendly town of Atenas is a 10-minute cab ride away, offering restaurants, shops, parks, and cultural events.


RESEARCH THEMES

  • Agroforestry and permaculture
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Sustainable ecotourism
  • Hummingbird ecology and behavior
  • Urban ecology
  • National park management
 

FIELD SKILLS

  • GIS
  • Songbird mist netting
  • Plant identification
  • Spanish language
  • Research design
  • Data collection
  • Scientific writing and presentation
 

LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

APPLY NOW


CONNECT WITH SFS

Visit the SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email admissions@fieldstudies.org
Read updates from the field on the SFS Blog
Follow SFS on Instagram and Facebook
Watch student videos on YouTube and Vimeo
 

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Approximate Decision Date (Subject To Change) Start Date End Date
Spring 2023 11/04/2022 11/04/2022 TBA TBA