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The School for Field Studies (SFS) Costa Rica - Sustainable Development Studies (Semester) (Outgoing 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) 
Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2025 11/01/2024 11/08/2024 TBA TBA
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Program Type: Guilford Affiliated Program Minimum GPA: 2.85
Major(s): Biology, Business, Economics, Environmental Studies, International Studies: Africa, International Studies: Latin America, Sociology and Anthropology Housing: University residence hall
Language of Instruction: English, Native Language
Program Description:

SFS COSTA RICA: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (SEMESTER)

sfs costa rica


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
 

LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

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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