Monteverde, Costa Rica

January in Monteverde

Study Program

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Dates

Dec 27, 2023 - Jan 17, 2024

3 weeks

Costs

$3,750 See Full Breakdown

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

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Grab your hiking boots and get ready to spend January in the progressive mountain community of San Luis de Monteverde, where the region's breathtaking natural scenery will surround and astound you! Designed for students from all fields of study, this program is an ideal fit for those eager to develop healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits to protect the environment.

When class is in session, your coursework will be delivered in English at CIEE Monteverde.

Outside the classroom, you'll participate in immersive activities that complement classroom learning and increase intercultural understanding, including visiting natural protected areas like Rincon de la Vieja National Park, or the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, ziplining over one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, enjoying the magic of waterfalls deep in the forest and more.

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Unique Experiences

LEARN HOW ECO-TOURISM

can bring more than new people to a community. As a student, you’ll explore the environmental, economic, and social impacts of this powerful force, and come away a more enlightened traveler in the process!

LIVE IN A RURAL MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY

surrounded by friendly Costa Ricans who will teach you how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, while you gain new professional skills

VISIT THE CLOUD FOREST

where mosses and orchids dripping with mist decorate the boughs of gnarly trees and brightly colored birds dart through the fog for fruits. This resource is critical not only for the economy of Monteverde but also for the hundreds of plants and animals that call this wet world home.

4,600

FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, ON THE TOP OF THE TILARAN MOUNTAINS

400

SPECIES OF BIRDS

250K

ANNUAL TOURISTS

Your Destination

Located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica, Monteverde lies along the continental divide at the crest of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain chain, which is blanketed by a cool, wet cloud forest extending down into the Atlantic lowlands. The cloud forest provides a striking contrast to the deciduous forest on the Pacific side.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded in 1972 to protect the entire ridge above Monteverde and down into the Peñas Blancas Valley. As a result of its unique history and geography, Monteverde is home to exotic flora, fauna, wildlife, and sustainability projects, including agriculture, energy production, water conservation, forest management, and biodiversity conservation.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Monteverde.

The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

Excursions and activities may include: 

Hiking under the dripping boughs of the cloud forest to observe colorful plants and animals. Insiders will tell you how these protected areas both conserve biodiversity and contribute to the economy.
Visiting local businesses involved with tourism to learn from residents about their opinions on the pros and cons of tourism development.
Taking a day trip to a local, sustainable farm to enjoy a meal of 100% organically grown food direct from the fields. 
Exploring and experiencing the power of renewable energies – including solar, wind, and hydropower – operating at large and small scales to gain insight into how and why Costa Rica is an international leader in the carbon-neutral movement.
Exploring indoor and outdoor areas that access forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration, and co-curricular activities.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Looking ahead to 2019

By Karen Masters at CIEE

A group of lucky students will start the New Year in Costa Rica, as participants in the CIEE January Term in Monteverde. Here are some of the special things that... keep reading

Costa Rica

What People are Saying

"I've studied abroad many times and the support and personal care CIEE has provided me ranks it as my best experience abroad."

Emily F., Western Kentucky University
"I thought the program was a great experience. I learned a lot from the teachers and TA's and had a great cultural experience!"

Madison M., Dickinson College
"The process of applying to arriving on campus was simple. CIEE provided aid through the entire process making the transition more enjoyable!"

Caela F., Ursinus College
"It gives you a different perspective which is a critical experience for a human being."

Eloisa Noreen J., Gustavus Adolphus College

HOUSING & MEALS

HOUSING

Dorms: Whether on or off-campus, students live in dormitories surrounded by the Monteverde Cloud Forest in double, triple, or quad rooms shared with other CIEE students. Rooms feature shared or en-suite bathrooms, shared desks, and shared closets.

MEALS

All students receive three meals per day. Accommodation for vegan and vegetarian diets is possible.

Academics

The January in Monteverde program is an intensive introduction to environmental issues facing many tropical, developing nations.  Emphasis is on how to protect the environment using different tools and strategies.  Courses are taught by qualified instructors of CIEE Monteverde.

CIEE Monteverde is located in an area that includes forest and farms against a backdrop of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.  Facilities include classrooms, residence halls, and recreational areas in a natural setting.  There are wet and dry laboratories, an herbarium, plus organic gardens to support a wide array of STEM studies and research opportunities.  An extensive trail system through forest and fields, links classrooms to a botanical garden, animal stables, and coffee and vegetable production areas.

GPA

2.5

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

All students take a 3-credit CIEE course.

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes, designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lectures and discussions with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. Class attendance is strictly enforced for both classes and required co-curricular excursions that are scheduled on Saturdays. There is no time for weekend travel and students are strongly encouraged to spend evenings and Sundays taking part in extra-curricular activities to practice the language and learn about the local culture.

Class Format

Courses taught at CIEE Monteverde are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Saturday and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas. 

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including quizzes, exams, essays, oral presentations, deliverables, plus participation in classes, including outings.  Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates.  Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Information

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course DEVE 3001 MTVE: Sustainable Development for the Tropics

Language English

Semester Credit 3

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course (GI) JOUR 3005 MOCR: Nature Photography, Social Media, and Environmental Engagement

Language English

Semester Credit 3

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program	Application Due	Start Date	End Date	Fees & Housing
Program January 2024 3 weeks	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date December 27, 2023	End Date January 17, 2024	Fees & Housing $3,750

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500. January 2020 programs in Latin America are not eligible for CIEE Scholarships and Grants.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300^*

Educational Costs = $2,590^**

Housing = $780^***

Insurance = $80

Total Fees = $3,750

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $0

International Airfare = $700^†

Local Transportation = $40

Personal expenses = $135^††

Total Costs = $875

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

^*non-refundable

^**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

^***includes all meals

^†round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

^††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

Pablo Allen

Center Director

Pablo is a native Costa Rican, born and raised in San José. He is an an evolutionary ecologist interested in sexual selection, animal weapons, and phenotypic plasticity. Since rejoining CIEE...

Jessica Arias

Academic Director

Jessica is a PhD candidate on Agricultural Science from the University of Costa Rica. She earned a BSc. in Ecotourism and a MSc. in Sustainable Development, with a concentration in Conservation...

Jose Carlos Calderon

Student Life Manager

"Moncho" earned his BSc in Biology at the University of Costa Rica with a specialization in bats. He has worked for CIEE Monteverde for over 10 years as Assistant Instructor...

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