At a glance
Spend your Summer Abroad in the Cloud Forests of Costa Rica! Embark on an unforgettable four-week journey, combining conservation efforts with intensive Spanish language courses and cultural immersion.
Costa Rica is your classroom!
- Live in the Cloud Forest alongside sloths, monkeys, and tropical birds
- Travel to the Pacific Coast
- Get out of the classroom and into the field with like-minded students
- Earn 6 college credits over 4 weeks
- Open to all majors
- View sample itinerary
Start Dates:
Summer Term
See DatesMinimum Duration:
Four Weeks
Ages:
College student or recent graduate
1
Blend classroom learning with fieldwork
2
Explore Costa Rica on three-day weekends
3
Travel to the Pacific Coast
4
Gain six college credits, open to all majors
5
Journey through mangroves
6
Support environmental restoration initiatives
7
Traverse diverse ecosystems
8
Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture
Program Overview
Join our transformative Summer Abroad Program in Costa Rica
Field Summer: Conservation, Ecotourism & Spanish
Experience thrilling excursions, integrate with the local community, gain conservation skills from hands-on fieldwork, and have the summer of a lifetime! Field Studies blend classroom learning with learning in the field, providing you with a uniquely engaging experience abroad.
Picture yourself with like-minded students in the middle of a pristine cloud forest, putting learning into practice by furthering conservation and sustainability efforts in one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth.
Sound like what you've been searching for? Get your FREE Field Guide now
Applications & Dates
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the admissions deadline listed below. You’re encouraged to apply as early as possible to secure your place – it’s completely free to apply!
- Session I (Tropical Ecosystems & Biodiversity) from June 1-30, 2025
- Session II (Conservation, Resource Management & Ecotourism) from July 6 - August 4, 2025
- Admissions Deadline: April 1, 2025
If you miss the admissions deadline, please get in touch, and we’ll see what we can do!
Highlights
Spend your summer focusing on sustainable development, conservation, and ecotourism. Through a combination of theory, fieldwork, and cultural immersion, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in global sustainability using Costa Rica as your campus!
Excursions
There’s so much to discover with Projects Abroad during your Summer Abroad in Costa Rica! We seamlessly integrate excursions into your curriculum, providing a holistic understanding of each subject area and an immersive study experience.
Food & Accommodation
Your Home in the Cloud Forest: Elida Trails & Eco-Lodge
Students will stay at the serene Elida Trails & Eco-Lodge, affectionately known as The Forest. This family-run eco-lodge is nestled within a private 23-acre forest reserve, just a short walk from the Monteverde Institute and a 5-minute stroll from the Children's Eternal Rainforest.
You'll be immersed in nature with access to exclusive hiking trails and beautifully maintained gardens. It's the perfect base for your Monteverde adventure!
Savor the Flavors of Monteverde and Costa Rica
Monteverde and Costa Rica offer a delicious blend of traditional dishes and fresh, local ingredients. In Monteverde, you can enjoy hearty gallo pinto (rice and beans), savory beef stew, fresh trout, local cheeses, and rich coffee.
Across Costa Rica, you'll find casado (a typical dish of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and meat), flavorful black bean soup, refreshing ceviche, tasty tamales, and an abundance of tropical fruits. There are plenty of plant-based options available, making it a great destination for vegans and vegetarians too.
What’s Included
The tuition for earning six credits is $6,450.
This includes:
- Shared student cabins and homestay with a local family
- Daily meals and snacks during programming
- Hosted excursions, cultural activities, and social events throughout your program
- Transportation during programming, unless otherwise noted
- Official Transcript with 6 credits
- Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation Insurance
- 24/7 On-site support
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Pre-departure admissions, travel, and visa support
Academics
This immersive four-week holistic program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development in Costa Rica, fostering both academic knowledge and a sense of environmental stewardship. Through hands-on experiences, classroom instruction, and projects, students will develop the skills and perspectives needed to contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems, not only in Costa Rica but also globally!
ENV 202: Conservation, Resource Management & Ecotourism | 3 credits
Explore sustainable development principles through the lens of Costa Rica's vibrant ecosystems, focusing on ecotourism's role in conservation and resource management. This course scrutinizes ecotourism's effects on natural habitats and local societies, aiming to balance environmental protection with economic progress. By examining ecotourism case studies, students will assess their impacts and formulate strategies that support conservation efforts and efficient resource management for sustainable community development.
SPA 202: Spanish Language & Costa Rican Cultural Immersion | 3 credits
This course offers a deep dive into Costa Rican culture and society, coupled with the acquisition of practical Spanish language skills. Students will explore cultural norms, traditions, and social dynamics of Costa Rica while improving proficiency in Spanish. The course emphasizes respectful cultural engagement, critical thinking about societal issues, and the development of language skills through immersive experiences. Students will be assessed on Spanish ability and placed in the appropriate course level. No Spanish language experience is required.
Fields of interest:
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Business
- Communications
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Fine Arts
- Foreign Language
- Forestry Management
- Geography
- Geology
- International Relations
- Law & Human Rights
- Marketing
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Spanish Language
- Wildlife Biology
- Any other related fields (open to all majors!)
Eligibility
- Minimum 2.5 GPA required
- Currently enrolled in university or recently graduated
- ***No Spanish language experience or prerequisites required***
The Projects Abroad Model
For over three decades, Projects Abroad has been the world's trailblazer in meaningful and impactful international projects. Leveraging our rich legacy in real-world impact, we are pioneering a new chapter in global education, blending our extensive experience with a transformative educational approach.
Hands-on Impact through Fieldwork
We prioritize creating tangible change from the moment you arrive. Distinct from traditional academic programs limited to classroom settings, our approach is deeply rooted in fieldwork and hands-on impact. Here, you're not merely an observer - you're a contributor to meaningful community projects right from the start. Whether you’re collecting data, engaging community stakeholders, or getting your hands dirty in reforestation initiatives, you’ll not only develop a multifaceted approach to sustainability but positively contribute in the process.
Travel and Adventure as a Learning Tool
On your Summer Abroad, travel is not merely an additional feature - it's an integral component of your educational journey. Our courses are thoughtfully designed to include touring and exploration, enabling you to experience diverse ecosystems and cultures firsthand. This immersive travel experience is seamlessly integrated into your curriculum, providing a holistic understanding of each subject area. We also strongly encourage you to travel independently to experience all that Costa Rica and studying abroad has to offer!
Holistic Education for All Majors
We’re revolutionizing learning by employing assessments as tools for real-world impact, catering to all academic majors. The era when such programs were solely for Natural Science Majors is over. Whether your focus is sciences, humanities, or business (or anything else!), our programs are specifically designed to develop you into a globally conscious citizen, fully aware of your role in an interconnected world, regardless of your major.
Request More Info
If you have questions before submitting your application, please contact us on the form below and one of our Admissions Advisors will be in touch!
Our accreditations
