SFS Costa Rica: Biodiversity and Sustainable Food Systems
Program Overview
You’ll never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. Using coffee and chocolate as case studies, explore the relationships between food systems, ecology, conservation, and sustainability. Learn how different agricultural techniques have the potential to restore biodiversity and combat climate change. Study the sociocultural history of coffee and cacao, from Indigenous histories to modern production and exports.
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 our center dog, Hera, looks after them. The friendly town of Atenas is a 10-minute cab ride away, offering restaurants, shops, parks, and cultural events.
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Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- Summer
- Agriculture
- Animal Science
- Biology
- Conservation & Preservation
- Culture
- Development Studies
- Ecology
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Ethnic Studies
- Food Science
- Foreign Language
- Forestry
- Geography
- Government
- Humanities
- Latin American Studies
- Liberal Arts
- Natural Sciences
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Sustainable Development
- Travel & Tourism
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Updated Mar 12, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Atenas, Costa Rica
Fields & Subjects
- Biology
- Ecology
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Forestry
- Humanities
- Liberal Arts
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
- Geography
- Latin American Studies
- Development Studies
- Culture
- Travel & Tourism
- Sustainable Development
- Agriculture
- Ethnic Studies
- Conservation & Preservation
- Foreign Language
- Government
- Natural Sciences
- Animal Science
- Science
Available Terms / Availability
- Years Offered
- 2026, 2027
- Terms Available
- Summer
Eligible Nationalities
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Group
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- English
- Education
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accommodation Options
- Dormitory
- Group living
Application Procedures
- Transcript
- Online Application
Age Requirement
18-30
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