Summer Sustainability + The Environment
Unique Experiences
Learn from Costa Rican farmers
who maintain crops and have high productivity with natural and climate-smart practices
Live in a rural mountain community
surrounded by a tropical cloud forest and friendly Costa Ricas
See up close
how alternative energy makes Costa Rica largely independent of fossil fuels
Your Destination
Monteverde is Costa Rica’s renowned ecological haven, celebrated for its rich biodiversity, pioneering conservation efforts, and commitment to sustainability. The town seamlessly integrates scientific research with eco-tourism, featuring iconic landmarks like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Butterfly Gardens, and the stunning hanging bridges. With a tropical highland climate, diverse ecosystems, and a strong emphasis on reforestation and renewable energy, Monteverde is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Diversity Your Experience: Spend 1 or 2 consecutive 6-week blocks of your summer in the same host city or travel to different cities per block for increased mobility and cultural immersion.
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses or online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activites, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Monteverde will open doors for you to explore Costa Rica's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Rise with the sun for birding tours or farm chores and experiencing biodiversity after the sun goes down with a guided night hike
- Visit natural destinations, such as national parks or reserves, to experience Costa Rica’s biodiversity and natural beauty
- Explore indoor and outdoor areas with access to forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration, and co-curricular activities
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
CIEE Global Interns Building a Sustainable Future
Global Internships are an important part of the work we do at CIEE to help individuals build bridges across culture and contribute positively to the world. Working abroad is the... keep reading
Summer Sustainability and the Environment Program
Allison Inanoria from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona shares a video about the Summer Sustainability and the Environment Program in Monteverde. If you want to see a Spanish-language adaptation... keep reading
My Experience Hiking the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
By: Lesleigh Taylor If you ever find yourself in the heart of Monteverde, a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve should be at the top of your list. Nestled... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Monteverde offers dormitory housing to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home
Standard Housing: Whether on or off-campus, students live in dormitories surrounded by the Cloud Forest in triple or quad rooms shared with other CIEE students. Rooms have shared or ensuite bathrooms, shared desks, and shared closets.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
MEALS
All students receive three meals per day. Accommodation for vegan and vegetarian diets is possible.
GETTING AROUND
Students either walk or pay for transport by taxi in the Monteverde area.
Academics
CIEE Monteverde: Study in the beautiful town of San Luis in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province, surrounded by lush forests and beautiful coffee farms. CIEE Monteverde is fully equipped with three classrooms, a student lounge, a library, a student life office, and an academic advising office.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Course Information
Course Notes
- Courses are listed below by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
Language Classes
- During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory language course will be required to take a language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
Summer Block I 2025
Summer Block II 2025
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
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.
Scholarships & 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
- Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarships
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
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 Summer Block I 2025 6 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $5,500 |
| Program Summer Blocks I, II 2025 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $11,000 |
| Program Summer Block II 2025 6 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $5,500 |
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.
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 | $3,500 ** |
| Housing | $1,500 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $5,500 |
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.
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 | $650 |
| Local Transportation | $100 |
| Books & Supplies | $50 |
| Personal expenses | $150 †† |
| Total Costs | $950 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Includes three meals a day. Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†All meals are included
††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
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 | $7,500 ** |
| Housing | $3,000 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $11,000 |
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.
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 | $650 |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Books & Supplies | $100 |
| Personal expenses | $300 †† |
| Total Costs | $1,250 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Includes three meals a day. Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†All meals are included
††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
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 | $3,500 ** |
| Housing | $1,500 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $5,500 |
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.
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 | $650 |
| Local Transportation | $100 |
| Books & Supplies | $50 |
| Personal expenses | $150 †† |
| Total Costs | $950 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Includes three meals a day. Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†All meals are included
††$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 evolutionary ecologist interested in sexual selection, animal weapons, and phenotypic plasticity. Since rejoining CIEE in...
Jessica Arias
Academic Director
Jessica has a Ph.D. on Agricultural Science from the University of Costa Rica. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism and a master's degree in Sustainable Development, with a concentration in...
Jose Carlos Calderon
Student Life Manager
"Moncho" earned his bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Costa Rica with a specialization in bats. He has worked for CIEE Monteverde for more than 10 years as...
Get Started
1
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.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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