SFS COSTA RICA: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (SEMESTER)
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Terms: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 18 semester-hour credits
- Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science; 18 years of age
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Early applications encouraged
- Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans
OVERVIEW
Costa Rica is home to lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, rushing waterfalls, and a laid-back culture embodied by the national motto: “Pura Vida.” Spend a semester in the country’s many national parks, farms, and tropical ecosystems studying conservation, development, and innovative strategies for sustainability. Design and conduct an extensive field research project, collecting data and presenting your results to your peers and key community stakeholders.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Explore the cloud forests of Monteverde, home to 2.5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, to study tropical ecology and sustainable land management.
- Take a weeklong expedition to Panama’s Chiriquí Highlands, a lush, forested region of volcanic peaks, coffee farms, rich Ngäbe-Buglé culture, and perpetual spring-like weather.
- Go behind the scenes at a local coffee farm and sustainable permaculture homestead to learn how Costa Ricans have successfully combined agriculture and conservation.
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 Center dog Hera keeps watch over it all. The friendly town of Atenas is a 10-minute cab ride away, offering restaurants, shops, parks, and cultural events.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Climate change and tropical ecosystems
- Agroforestry and conservation
- Permaculture
- Avian behavior
- Urban ecology
- Sustainable ecotourism
- Carbon sequestration
CORE SKILLS
- GIS
- Biodiversity assessment
- Songbird mist-netting
- Forest soundscape survey
- Basic Spanish language
- Research design and implementation
- Data collection and analysis
- Research presentation
CONNECT WITH SFS
Visit the
SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email
admissions@fieldstudies.org
Read updates from the field on the
SFS Blog
Follow SFS on
Instagram and
Facebook
Watch student videos on
YouTube and
Vimeo
Further information about The School for Field Studies programs specific to Wheaton College students
Wheaton College is committed to providing students with opportunities to broaden their understanding and vision beyond the borders of this campus and this country. We work in collaboration with carefully selected partner institutions around the world to support our students as they prepare to study abroad and while they are overseas. Students must apply to Wheaton's Center for Global Education as well as the institution through which they plan to study abroad. The most up-to-date information can be found on the program provider's website above.
Admission Requirements:
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science
Courses & Credits:
Students on each School for Field Studies Semester program take 5 classes (18 credits) which earns students 4 credits at Wheaton College. Each program has a set curriculum that all students take.
Budget Information:
Students studying abroad will continue to pay Wheaton tuition. Students are not charged Wheaton room and board, or the Wheaton technology, laundry, or student activities fees while on a study abroad program. Wheaton will, in turn, pay the program for all tuition and academic fees. Students will pay housing directly to their study abroad program. Some study abroad programs include meal plans while others do not offer meal plans and students will shop for and prepare their meals independently. Students will book and pay for their own flights.
Fees billed by Wheaton will be charged to students on their regular Wheaton College student account during regular billing cycles (July/December).
Federal, state, Wheaton need-based and merit scholarships will be applied to these charges for Wheaton-approved programs. Students must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) for a comprehensive review of their aid. If a student receives aid beyond the cost of Wheaton tuition, they can request a refund through SFS.
Please do your research as housing and meal costs vary greatly from program to program. This
Budget Worksheet can help you estimate the total costs of your program.
For more information of the School for Field Studies on-site costs, please visit
fieldstudies.org/admissions/costs
For Wheaton specific questions contact:
Center for Global Education
5 Howard Street
Wheaton College
Norton, MA 02766-2322
globaled@wheatoncollege.edu
508-286-4950
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