Sustainable Development in Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica
Sustainable Development in Costa Rica

About the Program

Give back to your host community in an experience that combines meaningful service learning placement with academic reflection in a structured environment. Gain hands-on experience with a focus on sustainability studies in the rural community of Pejibaye in Cartago Province.

This summer program is designed for students at the low-intermediate Spanish level language and above. If you need to brush up on your Spanish, or want to further your language skills, courses are available in the month prior to your service learning placement.

During your service learning placement, real-life experiences follow the principles of both service learning and sustainable development. You'll work alongside rural communities—developing an understanding of local environmental challenges—while exploring and reflecting on course content.

The course’s real-life experiences go beyond traditional volunteering by integrating interaction within local and disadvantaged communities; service in public or non-profit, non-governmental organizations; first-hand assessment of community needs, expectations, and strengths; exploring and reflecting on course content; and providing concrete service, ranging from hands-on tasks to strategic advice. You'll also attend group class sessions (taught in English) inside beautiful La Marta Wildlife Refuge, where you'll analyze your experiences, gaining insight and a critical perspective through reflection.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

San Jose

Dates:

7/1/17 - 8/5/17

Price:

$4,995

Credits:

8

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

5/1/17

Requirements

$95 Online Application Fee
Complete Application
Transcript - Unofficial

Eligibility

Education
Completed:

High School Graduate

Foreign Language
Proficiency:

Low Intermediate And Above

Minimum GPA:

2.5

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $500 when you apply with code* by March 15, 2025

8

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

You can choose between several sessions, depending on how long you want to stay in Costa Rica and the number of courses you want to take. 

Students wanting to advance in their Spanish studies can take an intensive Spanish course in June that meets for 80 contact hours/5 credits. Language courses meet for 4 hours in the morning, Monday-Friday. Upon completion, you’ll begin the service learning portion of the program where you can choose from 1-2 courses as described below.

Not interested in taking additional language courses? Choose a 1- or 2-course option in the 5-week July session. Students in the 1-course option enroll in 1 service learning course that meets for 80 contact hours/5 credits. You'll spend 3 hours a day, 3 days per week working with a local organization, then attend class inside the La Marta Wildlife Refuge for 3 hours per day, 3 days per week. Together, your course and service learning placement are worth 5 credits (80 contact hours).

Students in the 2-course option will also enroll in 1 culture and language course, which meets for 45 contact hours/3 credits. In the 2-course option, you may earn a total of 8 credits (125 contact hours).

Prior to departure, you will take a Spanish language level placement exam. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Low Intermediate And Above Course Structure

Courses

The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Sustainable Development in Rural Areas 300 En 80 5
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Exploring Costa Rica, its Culture and Language * 300 En, Sp 45 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in San José. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Career & Re-entry Workshop
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
July 01
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup.

July 02
Orientation

Mandatory CEA Orientation, City Tour & Welcome Lunch.

July 03
Orientation

ULACIT Orientation and campus tour.

July 04
Classes Begin

Classes Start (ULACIT Campus). Introduction to Service Learning and Practice Session on Service Learning

July 05
Classes Begin

Introduction to Latin American Culture & Intercultural Communication Course

July 06
Transfer

Departure to Pejibaye, Cartago - La Marta Wildlife Refuge. Welcome Session to meet host families. Historic-Natural Tour of La Marta Wildlife Refuge

July 07
Orientation

Visit to local centers in the community of Pejibaye. Students choose projects

July 10
Classes Begin

Community Work Starts. Serving at local centers

July 10
Classes Begin

Classes Start at La Marta Wildlife Refuge - Latin American Culture & Intercultural Communication Course

July 14 - 16
Excursion

Excursion to Monteverde. Includes: lodging, transportation, breakfast, hanging bridges & night walk

August 04
Classes End

This is the last day of classes and work in the community

August 05
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Program End Date.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$4,995
$4,995
CEA Secure
CEASecure™ is an optional refund plan that allows students to withdraw for any covered reason up to one week before the program’s start date
$0
$275
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$500
$1,500
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$165
$165
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$32
$44
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$263
$413
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$263
$361
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$150
$454
TOTAL EXPENSES $6,368 $8,207