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Academics : International Education Study Abroad

Study Abroad, Costa Rica

2008-09 Study abroad program, Costa Rica

Spring Semester 2009

Leader:  Laura Christiansen
Tentative Dates: late March – mid April 2009  

Program:
The goal of the program is to allow the students to develop an understanding of the interrelationships of the physical world and the challenge of working towards a sustainable future.

The Costa Rican Environmental Program will allow students to study environmental science issues and basic scientific research techniques in a unique way. They will not only have the opportunity to investigate specific areas of their own choice, but also be able to experience the Costa Rican environment and see first hand the very issues and topics that they are exploring in the field.

Costa Rica:
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a country about twice the size of Massachusetts with a population of approximately 4.1 million people. The official language of the country is Spanish. The country is noted for its political stability, safety and its effort to protect its natural biological resources.

Academic Program:
Students will begin their study on campus during the first part of the semester. After intensive review of their pertinent topics at NMH, the group will travel to Costa Rica for approximately three weeks and spend time at several specifically chosen sites. Each site has been selected for its exceptional quality and ability to expose the students to the natural world and its unique cultural characteristics that exists among the Costa Rican people. The students will then return to NMH to complete and compile their work into a formal paper for each of the science classes. For more details, see the sample itinerary at the end of this program description.

Requirements:
The Costa Rican program is open to students in their junior and senior year of school and must have had two years of science, including biology. In addition, each student must be very mature and possess excellent social skills that will allow them to be active participants in the group as well as being able to work independently. They must be excited about meeting new people, seeing a different culture and overcoming personal challenges. They must have a desire to learn more about how our world works, an interest in examining specific environmental problems, and the ability to work toward expanding their knowledge of basic scientific research. Students are not required to have a working knowledge of Spanish, but students must have the willingness to learn basic conversational phrases and a willingness to learn about the culture.

Credits:
Students will receive three credits as follows:  1 lab science credit in Tropical Field Ecology, 1 non-lab science credit in Environmental Studies of Costa Rica, and one credit in Spanish or one of the student’s choice from a menu of options.

Application:
The application form is available in Student Announcements on SWIS*, or at the Center for International Education in Beveridge Hall, Room 030, or x3251. The completed application including all supporting materials and the $300 application fee is due in the Center for International Education on Monday, March 31, 2008. No late applications will be accepted.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SPEAK WITH LAURA CHRISTIANSEN BFORE SPRING BREAK!!

*Student Announcements --> International Education --> Study Abroad ’08-‘09 --> Application

Fee:
In addition to the regular cost of tuition, room, and board, students pay a program fee of $1850.00 plus airfare and other major transportation costs.  NMH partially subsidizes its study abroad programs in order to keep costs affordable for families. Very limited need-based financial aid may be available but is not guaranteed.

 

What former students have to say about NMH study abroad in Costa Rica:

I loved doing environmental studies in a place where the natural world was all around us.

Doing the research project was a very good taste of what data collection is really like.

I learned more about myself than I ever could have known—THANK YOU, NMH!

...the sights and sounds of Costa Rica... things I can tell my kids.

Most memorable? Watching a monkey while taking a shower in the rain forest. When will I EVER have that opportunity again?

 

NMH Study Abroad: Costa Rica
Sample Itinerary*

*This itinerary is only a sample taken from previous NMH study abroad programs to Costa Rica, and is to be used for promotional purposes only. The actual itinerary for 2008-09 may vary significantly from this. 

Day 1:
NMH--> San Jose, CR
Orientation

Day 2:
Tour of InBioparque National Biological Park, samples of the country’s ecosystems
National Museum

Day 3:
Depart for Talamanca region
PM:  Arrive Yorkin, a village in the BriBri Indigenous Territory, via boat

Day 4:
Yorkin
Visit to the local school in Yorkin

Day 5:
Finca
Tour of organic chocolate production done by indigenous women

Day 6:
Gandoca Community (a sea turtle conservation project)
Night hike to view nesting Leatherback Turtles

Day 7:
Depart for Volcano Arenal
PM:  Arrive Hanging Bridges for a night hike in the forest canopy

Day 8:
Volcano hike
Ecotermals hot springs

Day 9:
Depart for University of Georgia Field Station
Introduction to Cloud Forest Ecology talk
Class time for course #3 (Spanish, Art, etc)

Day 10:
Santa Elena Cloud Forest (Guided tour with translator)
Time with researchers/ naturalists on site
Class time for course #3 (Spanish, Art, etc) 

Day 11:
Time off to explore/relax
Hike to San Gerardo Field Station in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (an area preserved through donations by school children worldwide).
Overnight: wake up to a view of volcano Arenal and the sound of Howler Monkeys.

Day 12:
San Gerardo
Hike with Mark Wainwright, naturalist and artist –illustrator for most mammal, amphibian, and reptile books about Costa Rica.
Dinner
Night hike with Mark Wainwright

Day 13:
Hike out of San Gerardo
Costa Rican Cooking Lesson
Class time for course #3 (Spanish, Art, etc)

Day 14:
Work on personal projects
Finca La Bella (Co-operative farm) with translator
Class time for course #3 (Spanish, Art, etc)

Day 15:
Work on Personal Projects
Class time for course #3 (Spanish, Art, etc)

Day 16:
Zipline tour
Frog pond or butterfly garden
Time for shopping in town
Class time for course #3 (Spanish, Art, etc)

Day 17:
Depart for Cabo Blanco  A limited-access Nature Reserve
  Overnight right on the beach.

Day 18:
Snorkeling and tide pool walk
  Overnight right on the beach.

Day 19:
Depart for San Jose
Goodbye dinner in San Jose

Day 20:
Wrap-up & flight home