Description

The Tropical Ecology and Conservation study abroad program in Monteverde, Costa Rica is designed for students with biology-related majors who have completed at least one year of introductory biology and one elective in ecology and seek intensive, sophisticated tropical field and course work in Costa Rica from both theoretical and taxonomic perspectives. All biology courses are taught in English.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center in Monteverde began as a summer program in 1989, then in 1996, a semester program was added to the offering. The Tropical Ecology and Conservation program is geared to biology and related majors who have completed an introductory biology sequence and one of the following electives: animal behavior, conservation biology, ecology, or evolution. The academic content of the program is designed to challenge participants to immerse themselves in the study of tropical ecology and conservation through rigorous classroom work, including exposure to taxonomy, reading of scientific journal articles, and academic lectures. The program also offers students unique field opportunities, including two extensive field trips in different Costa Rican ecosystems, the Panamanian coast, and the possibility of pursuing a directed independent research project. All courses, except the Spanish language course, are taught in English.

Academic Culture
The small, rigorous courses with a biological focus are offered for CIEE students only and incorporate extensive travel, research, and field study. U.S. and Costa Rican biology professors teach and evaluate students in both the classroom and on field trips. Students should expect an academically intense experience and should be willing to learn in a variety of settings, including classrooms, beaches, waterfalls, and treetops. The biological station that houses the program abuts a large, stunning forest contiguous with the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the major tropical mountain forest research center in the Western Hemisphere. Together, the various Monteverde forest preserves make up over 25,000 hectares (57,000-plus acres). Students have a unique opportunity to study in a comfortable facility close to this spectacular biodiversity. Unlike other programs, the Tropical Ecology and Conservation program in Monteverde is housed alongside the biodiversity that participants will study every day. One wakes to the sounds of Howler Monkeys, not to city traffic noise. Courses run from 8AM to 6PM daily but no two days are exactly the same.

Highlights

• Live in a biological station surrounded by the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  
• Gain hands-on experience through an independent research project
  
• Explore Costa Rica's diverse ecosystems through extensive travel and field study
  
• Participate in two long field trips, including a trip to Panama to observe marine diversity in the coral reefs off the Bocas del Toro Islands
  
• Get to known rural Costa Rica during a one-month homestay with a local family

Camping, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, traveling by bus and boat, and research are all part of the trips. In addition, there are a variety of cultural events and activities open to students in the town of Monteverde.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Program Fees Include:

The CIEE fee includes tuition, scientific equipment and lab fees, housing, all meals, transportation to/from the Biological Station in the Cloud Forest, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, national park entry fees, outdoor camping equipment, field house lab access, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required

yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 2 semesters of college-level biology
• 1 additional semester of college-level ecology or environmental science recommended
• Some college-level Spanish recommended

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application
• Other

CIEE's Mission Statement

Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded

1947