Overview
Click to OpenSpend your summer interning abroad in Monteverde, a unique region known for its biological diversity, multicultural society, and the efforts its community organizations and businesses make to conserve natural resources and mitigate climate change.
During your summer internship, you'll gain new skills and abilities while living in one of the few ecosystems of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Discover first-hand the initiatives and ventures involved in balancing an economy and ecotourism without compromising sustainability, human well-being, community resilience, conservation, climate action, and more in this biodiverse Costa Rican region.
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Learn from Costa Rican eco-entrepeneurs
who are forward-thinking in their climate-smart practices that are developing green businesses in Monteverde
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Live in a rural mountain community
surrounded by a tropical cloud forest and friendly Costa Ricans
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Put new skills into practice
as you complete your internship program that gives you an in-depth look at sustainable development in the tropics
Location & Culture
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The Destination
Monteverde lies along the continental divide at the crest of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain chain in the northwestern region of Costa Rica, which is blanketed by the cool and wet Cloud Forest extending 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 established 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 a stunning home to exotic flora, fauna, and 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.
Excursions & Activities
- Visit natural destinations, such as national parks or reserves, to experience Costa Rica’s biodiversity and natural beauty.
- Rise with the sun for birding tours or farm chores and experiencing biodiversity after the sun goes down with a guided night hike in the forest.
- Explore indoor and outdoor areas with access to forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration, and co-curricular activities.
- Visit local businesses involved with tourism and learn from residents about their opinions on the good, the bad, and all the rest of tourism development.
Daily Life
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Housing
Whether on or off-campus, students live in dormitories surrounded by Monteverde’s Cloud Forest in double, triple, or quad rooms shared with other CIEE students. Rooms have shared or en-suite bathrooms, shared desks, and shared closets.
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Meals
All students receive three simple but hearty meals per day. Accommodation for vegan and vegetarian diets is available.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
As a global intern in Monteverde, you’ll work in a non-paying position within a range of opportunities across a diverse set of innovative businesses focused on sustainable practices, climate change mitigation, or conservation and take an integrated academic course. Internship opportunities will include research options on themes regarding conservation, carbon storage, climate change, and other related research-driven fields. Extra-curricular and cultural activities in and around the Monteverde region complement your internship and coursework.
Research opportunities may include monitoring long-term forest regeneration plots to assess carbon storage rates or how the effects of climate change can be measured. Furthermore, students can research the effectiveness of regenerative grazing to determine its importance in lowering the ecological footprint of livestock.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Rising sophomore standing and above required at time of participation.
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.
Program Requirements
Students participate in an academic course taught in an online learning environment alongside the eight-week, full-time internship. Participation in the integrated academic course and internship are mandatory for all participants.
PROGRAM CREDIT
Total credit: 6 U.S. semester / 9 quarter credits
Course Credit
Internship: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits; 15 integrated academic course hours, 225-300 internship placement hours
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.
Academic Culture
Students are expected to behave professionally throughout their internship project and are subject to the agreed upon internship protocols arranged by CIEE and the host organizations. The academic course is designed to prepare students for leadership in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse workforce.
Class Format
Students participate in an eight-week CIEE full-time internship and an integrated online academic course. Class and/or work hours may be scheduled Monday-Friday, and attendance is strictly enforced. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel away from the city during the work week.
Grading
Students will be assessed via assignments and activities related to the academic course, including but not limited to, online discussion forums, reflective papers, individual or group presentations, analysis of readings, an internship work plan, and feedback from internship supervisor. Internship supervisors and students each provide written evaluations of progress towards goals.
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.
Language of Instruction
English
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.
Courses
Click to OpenScholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 8 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jun 12, 2023 | Aug 5, 2023 |
$6,950
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Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $3,953 Housing = $2,500 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $6,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $175 International Airfare = $650 Local Transportation = $100 Books & Supplies = $50 Visa Fees = $0 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $0 Personal expenses = $250 Other = $0 Total Estimated Costs = $1,225Financial AidCIEE 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. 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable |
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.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Pablo Allen, PhD.
Center Director
Pablo earned a BSc. and MSc. in Biology from the University of Costa Rica and completed his PhD. in Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. Pablo has many years of experience in study abroad and was previously CIEE Monteverde’s Academic Director.
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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 of Biological Resources from the University of Costa Rica. Jessica was an instructor at CIEE Monteverde for several years before she joined the team as Academic Director recently.
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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 in the Tropical Ecology and Conservation program and since 2021 has been leading the Student Life team that supports the students 24/7.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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