Introduction
Check out photos from last summer's group!
The theme of this course is exploring the relation between biotechnology, sustainable production and biodiversity and how they impact the environment, society, and well-being of the population in the newly industrialized country of Costa Rica. Students will travel the country to visit various locations and investigate and research the relationship themselves by discussing with Costa Rican citizens, farmers, company representatives, government officials and researchers.
Program City
San Jose, located in the center of Costa Rica, is the capital of Costa Rica with a population of about 300,000 people. San Jose makes up about 37% of the nation's population therefore giving you numerous venues of entertainment from nightclubs, casinos and shopping malls to museums and restaurants. Costa Rica is an adventurer's palace. Travel outside the city and you can go scuba diving, white water rafting, visit one of the many beautiful waterfalls or volcanoes or take an exhilarating forest canopy tour.
According to the Pacific Business News of Honolulu, Costa Rica was the number one adventure destination in 2003. One can understand why, when you have a pleasant climate year round and beautiful views of lush green mountainsides surrounding this bustling city.
Faculty Leader
Academic Program
The focus for the course will be biotechnology, the environment, and biodiversity and how sustainable production impacts Costa Rica's society, education, and workforce. We will highlight different aspects of modern biotechnology (plant, animal, and marine) and compare it to "green technologies" like organic farming and how it impacts biodiversity. In an integrative assessment, we will study, evaluate, and discuss technology impacts on society and global trade. We will extend the focus and include a discussion of the impact of tourism (ecotourism) on preserving biodiversity and sustainable production as the major pillars for economic growth in a country that relies on tourism and exports and calls itself “environmentally friendly.”
The course requires daily travels to visit different locations in the country. In general, trips will be physically demanding due to the daily driving, walking in the warm and humid climate, and the sometimes quickly changing climate zones. Good personal health is required. Some trips to more remote locations (for example into the center of natural reserves) will even require long hiking trips. There is a risk of exposure to tropical diseases (malaria, dengue fever, hepatitis B), and venomous snakes. Vaccination is strongly recommended. For students who have interests in less demanding activities, alternative arrangements may be offered, if possible.
While there, the itinerary will be as follows (tentative):
December 17th:
| Arrival San Jose |
| Pick up by bus to the hotel |
| One night in the hotel, breakfast included |
December 18th:
| Departure to San Isidro del General |
| Arrival at Coffee Finca - check-in |
| Lunch, Hiking, Coffee Education, Rappel, Waterfall, Photos, Gigant tree, Free time, Dinner |
December 19th:
|
| Bus to Farmers Market |
| Sightseeing Tour |
| Lunch at the Market (paid by student) |
| Bus to small village |
| Meet the families and check in with them |
| Exploration of the village |
| Dinner with family |
| Meet with your group and make plans for next days |
December 20th:
| Breakfast with family |
| Students enjoy their time with: |
| Ride to waterfall |
| Dancing lessons (cumbia, salsa) |
| Manufacturing chocolate |
| Processing of sugar cane |
| Visit Petroglyphs |
| Spanish lessons |
| Manufacture of jewelry |
| Or help their family with daily work |
| Lunch with family |
| Activity or lessons |
| Dinner with family |
| Meet with locals |
December 21th:
| Breakfast with family |
| Bus to one of the last indigenous pueblo |
| Lunch in soda/restaurant (paid by student) |
| Bus back to village |
| Activity or lessons |
| Dinner with family |
| Meet with locals |
December 22th:
| Breakfast with family |
| Activity or lessons |
| Lunch with family |
| Activity or lessons |
| Dinner with family |
| Meet with locals |
December 23th:
| Breakfast with family |
| Say bye bye |
| Bus to OSA Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Take boat for tour |
| Boat to beach house |
| Dinner |
| Swim in Golfo Dulce or relax in hammock |
| Dinner |
| Campfire |
| Night hike |
December 24th:
| Breakfast |
| Rio Esquinas tour |
| Lunch |
| Beach |
| Dinner |
December 25th:
| Breakfast |
| Botanical Garden tour |
| Boat to Golfito |
| Bus to Panama border |
| Sightseeing |
| Lunch (paid by student) |
| Bus to Sierpe |
| Boat to lodge |
| Mangrove |
| Birds |
| Crocodiles |
| Check-in lodge |
| Free time |
| Dinner |
December 26th:
| Breakfast |
| Corcovado National Park tour |
| Lunch there |
| Back to lodge |
| Free time |
| Dinner |
December 27th:
| Breakfast |
| Isla Cano tour |
| Lunch there |
| Snorkeling |
| Scuba lessons (paid by student) |
| Swimming |
| Back to lodge |
| Dinner |
December 28th:
| Breakfast |
| Bus to Ballena National Park |
| Lunch there (paid by student) |
| Bus to Matapalo beach |
| Check-in beach house with pool |
| Visit Tortuga Rescue Center and make plans for the night or next day |
| (House is 5 minutes from center) |
| Back to house |
| Dinner |
| Beach or pool or help Tortuga Rescue Center |
December 29th:
| Breakfast |
| Tortuga Rescue Center |
| Lunch |
| Matapalo beach or go to Dominical with taxi for surf lessons (paid by student) |
| Dinner |
December 30th:
|
| Bus back to San Jose |
| Check-in hotel |
| Volcan tour |
| Lunch (paid by student) |
| Back to hotel |
|
December 31th:
| Breakfast |
| Bus transfer to airport |
Accommodation & Meals
While in San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Rio Celeste, and Liberia, students will stay in youth hostels. Breakfast is provided and all other meals will be on the students' own. While in Ostional, students will stay with host families. All meals will be provided.
Program Cost
The total estimated cost for this program is $3,500-$4,500.
Includes:
- Round-trip airfare
- UNI Tuition and Fees for 2-credits
- Housing while abroad
- Transportation while abroad
- Group meals
- Cultural activities
- Personal Expenses
Students pay UNI tuition and fees (in-state or out-of-state), the $65 application fee, and the study abroad administration fee to participate.
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