Information for term Summer Tropical Ecology + Conservation
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenExplore the biodiversity in Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Reserve, beaches, waterfalls, and more – all while building on your Spanish language skills. Take courses on tropical ecology, and a Spanish language course appropriate to your skills at CIEE– Monteverde. Work on an independent research project in tropical ecology or conservation, from observation and data collection to a presentation of your findings. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursion to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
CIEE is requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling on programs. Read more ›
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EXPLORE BEYOND MONTEVERDE
when you visit Costa Rica’s mangroves, lowland rainforest, dry forest, and other fascinating natural habitats.
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PUT NEW SKILLS INTO PRACTICE
as you complete an independent research project that gives you an in-depth look at local flora or fauna.
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species of plants and trees in Monteverde Preserve
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NATIONAL PARKS IN COSTA RICA
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SPECIES OF ORCHIDS IN COSTA RICA
1,500
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Monteverde is a small, international community, nestled along the edge of the cloud forest in the Tilarán Mountains. Drawn to the area’s spectacular beauty and opportunities to see quetzals and monkeys, tourists now contribute the principal revenues to the zone, although coffee plantations and dairy farms still dot the landscape. This area is famous as an epicenter for grassroots conservation and private reserves, and the community is emerging as the vanguard of innovation for Costa Rica’s carbon neutrality program.
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
- Explore a steamy Atlantic-slope rain forest, where inhabitants include white-crowned parrots, two-toed sloths, coatimundi, white-faced monkeys, and more.
- Marvel at the diversity of a tropical dry forest, rare and endangered, and so vibrant with life.
- See towering Arenal volcano. Dormant for some time, the surrounding park is home to some 850 species of birds and more.
RESEARCH
Put your skills to work on an independent research project in tropic ecology or conservation, from observation to a presentation of your findings. At every step, you’ll be guided by an expert faculty advisor. Past projects have explored beetle habitats, hummingbird habits, and the prey of cane toads.
Daily Life
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Housing
Whether on or off-campus students live in dormitories surrounded by the Cloud Forest with other CIEE students and less than 10 minutes walking from the classrooms. Students live in double, triple, or quad rooms shared with other CIEE students of their same cohort with en-suite bathrooms, shared desks, and closets. Indoor and outdoor areas for recreation and study, with access to forest trails and gardens.
Homestay (1 weekend): students live with a Spanish-speaking family and get immersed in the Monteverde culture. Each student has an individual room and laundry if necessary. -
MEALS
Students are provided with breakfast, hot lunch (pack lunches on weekends), and dinner.
Monteverde, Costa Rica Where You'll Study
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CIEE MONTEVERDE
Monteverde
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Getting Around
Students either walk or pay for transport by taxi.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
This intensive eight-week program immerses students in tropical biology and ecology and allows them to conduct independent research in a specific area. Spanish classes and a three-week homestay help students build their Spanish language skills. Science courses are taught in English by highly qualified faculty, with guest lectures from resident and visiting biologists.
Before the start of the program, students must complete one semester of college-level biology. One semester of college-level ecology, environmental science, or a second biology course, and some college-level Spanish is recommended.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
One semester of college-level biology.
Recommendations
One semester of college-level ecology, environmental science, or a second biology course is recommended. Some college-level Spanish is recommended. Best suited for students who are outdoorsy, interested in ecology and conservation, and want a challenging and transformative experience.
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
All students take four CIEE courses including two biology courses, Independent Research, and one Spanish language course.
Program Credit
Total credit: 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits per session
Course Credit
CIEE courses: 2-4 U.S. semester/3-6 quarter credits; 30-60 contact 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
Intense and rigorous, with amazing experiences along the way. Courses (except Spanish) are taught in English with an academic focus on ecology and include classwork, field study, lab work, and observation.
Class Format
Students learn with other CIEE students in small, dynamic groups. Lessons are highly interactive and include classroom and field study to take advantage of Monteverde’s amazing biodiversity. Various levels of conversational Spanish allow students to improve their language skills at the right pace.
Grading
Students are graded with standard A-F letter grades based on midterm and final exams, quizzes, field practical, written reports from field experiments, and participation. Independent study grades are based upon a proposal, manuscript, research effort, and symposium presentation.
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 and Spanish
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 OpenCourse Information
Summer 2022 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenNote: 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
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
- Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarships
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- CIEE Stem Scholarship
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 2022 8 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jun 13, 2022 | Aug 7, 2022 |
$8,450
Click to Close
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 = $6,676 ** Housing = $1,280 *** Insurance = $194 Total Fees = $8,450Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. International Airfare = $650 † Local Transportation = $100 Books & Supplies = $25 †† Personal expenses = $200 Other = $100 ††† Total Estimated Costs = $1,075Financial 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 ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes all meals † Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† Prior to departure ††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
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.
Academic/Center Director
Pablo earned a BSc. and MSc. in Biology from the University of Costa Rica, and earned a PhD. in Entomology from the University of Florida.
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Jose Carlos Calderon
Teaching Assistant
Jose Carlos Calderon, known as “Moncho,” is a bat biologist with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Costa Rica.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
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START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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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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