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The School for Field Studies (SFS) Costa Rica - Ecological Resilience Studies (Semester) (Directory Program)

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  • Locations: Atenas, Costa Rica
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Class Status: 1-first year, 2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior, 5-grad student, 6-other
Housing Options: Dormitory Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: Anthropology, Biology, Botany, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Foresty, Geography, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Sciences, Tourism, Zoology
Program Type: field study, study abroad Minimum GPA: 2.7
Program Description:
SFS COSTA RICA: ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE STUDIES
(SEMESTER)
 

CR_2

PROGRAM DETAILS

Terms | Fall, Spring

Credits | 18 semester-hour credits

Prerequisites | One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science | 2.7 GPA | 18 years of age

Application Deadline| Fall: May 1st. Spring: Nov 1st. Early applications encouraged!

Financial Aid | All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans.

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OVERVIEW

Go off the beaten path and experience resilience in action. Spend a semester in Costa Rica, home to rainforests, volcanoes, rushing waterfalls, and a laid-back culture that reflects the national motto: “Pura Vida”.

Immerse yourself in the country’s many national parks, farms, and tropical ecosystems full of incredible biodiversity. Design and conduct a rigorous field research project and learn how Costa Ricans creatively address conservation and development issues. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

→ Explore the cloud forests of Monteverde, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, to study tropical ecology, resilient land management, and community development efforts. 

→ Take an expedition to Panama’s Chiriquí Highlands, a lush, forested region of volcanic peaks, coffee and vegetable farms, and perpetual spring-like weather. 

→ Go behind the scenes at local farms to learn how Costa Ricans have successfully combined agriculture and conservation.  

→ Engage in the Center’s sustainable food efforts – gather fresh mangoes from campus trees, visit the chicken coop to collect eggs, harvest kale from the garden, master composting, and more. 

→ Conduct a comprehensive field research project: Develop a research question, collect and analyze data, write a paper, and present your findings.

LOCATION 

SFS students live and study at the Center for Ecological Resilience Studies. The Center is an active 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, and the Center dog Hera watches 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
  • Bird Communication
  • Urban Ecology
  • Sustainable Ecotourism
  • Carbon Sequestration
  • National Park Management
CORE SKILLS
 
  • GIS
  • Species Identification
  • Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment
  • Tourism Impact Assessment Methods
  • Basic Spanish Language
  • Research Design and Implementation
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Research Presentation
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CONNECT WITH SFS

• Visit our website: fieldstudies.org

• Email: admissions@fieldstudies.org

• Read updates from the field on our blog

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