ciee - council on international educational exchange
apply now for a ciee study abroad program

Search this site:
are you an advisor?
  
CIEE Annual Conference
Sign up for our newsletter
featured programs

Study in China
beijing - chinese language + culture

Study in France
paris - critical studies

Study in Nicaragua
managua - liberal arts

Study in the Czech Republic
prague - film studies

Study in Italy
naples - liberal arts

Study in Italy
naples - classical studies

Study in Germany
berlin - language + culture

Study in Thailand
khon kaen - community public health

Study in Australia
perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

This program is designed for students with biology-related majors who have completed at least one semester of college-level biology plus one additional semester of college-level biology, ecology or environmental science and who seek intensive, sophisticated tropical field and science course work in Costa Rica from both theoretical and taxonomic perspectives. All courses are taught in English.

Program Snapshot

  • Live in Monteverde, an internationally recognized area of research and natural beauty, and home to a world famous cloud forest
  • Gain research experience by conducting your own independent project
  • Participate in field trips and excursions to different ecosystems within Costa Rica
  • Get to know rural Costa Rica through a homestay with a local family
  • Enjoy cultural activities in the town of Monteverde

Subject Areas

  • Humans in the Tropics
  • Independent Study
  • Spanish Language
  • Tropical Biology

About Monteverde

Monteverde is a small community of 4,000 that accommodates up to 200,000 tourists each year. Its forest is located in the largest private reserve in Central America and reflects a long heritage of grassroots conservation. Despite its economic benefits, ecotourism has associated costs: immigration, disparity of wealth, and increased consumption that put pressure on the forest and the economy. As Monteverde has grown as an eco-tourist site, other activities have flourished, including a K-12 bilingual school focusing on environmental education, fair trade coffee, and women’s cooperatives that attempt local sustainable development.

Where You'll Study

CIEE Study Center in Monteverde, Costa Rica

The CIEE Study Center in Monteverde is located in a small, friendly, bilingual community surrounded by a cloud forest. Monteverde is free of biting insects and green all year-round. Monteverde’s Cloud Forest has been studied for over 25 years by both visiting and Costa Rican biologists. This widens the research opportunities available and acquaints students with practical biological problems associated with agricultural development, eco-tourism, and grassroots conservation efforts in developing countries.

Thoughts From Abroad

The summer program is a great way to learn about tropical ecology. You will visit many of the diverse habitats found in Costa Rica, see and learn about many of the species and their interactions, as well as develop and conduct your own research project. You will also learn Spanish, have the chance to practice your speaking skills, and experience another culture. The program is intense, but very rewarding as you hike through forests; get wet and muddy; see spectacular birds, insects, and plants; and enjoy incredible scenery, including beaches, mangroves, mountains, and sunsets!

— Karen Masters, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Dr. Karen Masters, Resident Director, has a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University, as well as an M.S. from the University of Florida and a B.S. from the University of Michigan. She has lived in Monteverde for over 20 years and since 1997, she has been teaching in the CIEE Tropical Ecology and Conservation program. She currently studies the effects of climate change on epiphytic orchids in Monteverde and has published papers on a host of conservation-related research.

Kathy Rockwell, Logistics Coordinator, is a lifelong Monteverde resident and daughter of Quaker settlers in the region. Prior to working with CIEE, Kathy was the Assistant Manager at the Monteverde butterfly garden.

Pablo Allen, an instructor of the Humans in the Tropics course, was born in Costa Rica. He received his M.S. from the University of Costa Rica and has taught with CIEE since the fall of 2006.

In addition to several teaching faculty, there are two teacher assistants who work with CIEE students. They are typically past participants and as a result, have a unique perspective that they bring to the program.

Recommended Credit

summer: 10 semester/15 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 1 semester of college-level biology
  • 1 additional semester of college-level biology, ecology, or environmental science recommended
  • Some college-level Spanish recommended

Program Dates

Summer 20096/14/2009 - 8/15/2009
Summer 2010Available: 2/15/2010

Application Deadlines

Summer 20094/1/2009
Summer 20104/1/2010

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Summer 20098 weeks
mid-June - mid-August
Summer 20108 weeks
mid-June - mid-August

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Summer 2009 $6,500
    The CIEE fee for 2009 includes tuition, housing, all meals, transportation to and from the biological station in the cloud forest, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, national park entry fees, lab and scientific equipment fees, outdoor camping equipment, field house lab access, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$5,226
    Housing and Meals$1,200
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$6,500

    The CIEE fee for 2009 includes tuition, housing, all meals, transportation to and from the biological station in the cloud forest, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, national park entry fees, lab and scientific equipment fees, outdoor camping equipment, field house lab access, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$500
    Personal Expenses$425
    Books and Supplies$100
    Total$1,025


  • Summer 2010 Available 12/15/2009

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Available 12/15/2009



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Available 12/15/2009


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.