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Sustainability + the Environment

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Sustainability + the Environment

Study Program Part-Time Internship

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Dates

Aug 18 - Dec 6, 2025

16 weeks

Costs

$19,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

16 - 17 semester hours

24 - 25.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

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Your Sustainability + the Environment program in Monteverde lasts a full semester and features key components including: Three CIEE biology/environmental studies courses, one Spanish language course, and one internship. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in Costa Rican culture. Live, learn, and work in Monteverde!

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Unique Experiences

Explore alternative energies

and learn about how they impact communities and biodiversity

Intern with a local leader

and apply the principles of conservation and sustainability to real-life situations

Visit the Cloud Forest

where mosses and orchids dripping with mist decorate the boughs of gnarly trees

The 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

Academic Courses: Enroll in CIEE courses related to sustainability in the environment in the heart of the rainforest.
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
Immerse yourself in the steamy jungle of the Lowland Rainforest
Meet local people and business owners to get a firsthand look at a range of environmental protection projects

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

From CIEE

Happy Earth Day: Today and Every Day

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Happy Earth Day! Every April 22, this global event comes around to remind us how precious our planet is, what sustainable efforts we can make to protect Earth, and that... keep reading

From CIEE

Costa Rica vs. Argentina: Which is Better for Study Abroad?

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Imagine yourself sipping mate in a bustling Buenos Aires café or lounging peacefully in a hammock overlooking Costa Rica's lush rainforests. These contrasting scenes represent just a glimpse of the... keep reading

From CIEE

Top 10 Study Abroad Volunteer Opportunities with CIEE

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Have you ever wondered if you could volunteer abroad? Perhaps you're looking into study abroad programs that provide international volunteer opportunities. If you’re itching to study abroad and truly make... keep reading

What People are Saying

"Great experience; Trips were extremely fun and informative; Staff was really nice and helpful; Also, Costa Rica is a beautiful country with great people"

Fayoni O., George Washington University
"Studying abroad in a new place is a very rewarding experience."

Morgan O., University of Colorado-Boulder

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Monteverde students live in on-campus residence halls 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.

Standard Housing: Includes a shared room with bunkbeds (occupancy: three to four students) on campus located under 15 minutes from the main campus area, where the dining hall and classrooms are located.

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. Accommodations for vegan and vegetarian diets are available.

Residence hall

Lounge area

Residence hall

Lounge area

Standard housing

Double room

Standard housing

Quad room

Standard housing

Balcony area

Select & Select Plus housing

Double room

Residence hall

Exterior

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.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Immigration/Entry Requirements

Visa Required: No

Additional Requirements

Major in environmental studies/science. Have completed two college-level courses in natural sciences, environmental studies, or agriculture.

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Recommendations

Some college-level Spanish is recommended.

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. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Students must take 5 required courses including Spanish language and an internship.

3 CIEE Biology/Environmental Studies courses
1 Spanish language course
1 Internship

Program Credit

Through Fall 2023: 17 U.S. semester /25.5 quarter credits
As of Spring 2024: 16 – 17 U.S. semester/24 – 25.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE Environmental Studies and Biology courses: 2 - 4 U.S. semester/3 - 6 quarter credits; 30 - 60 contact hours
CIEE Spanish language courses: 3 - 4 U.S. semester/4.5 - 6 quarter credits; 45 - 60 contact hours
CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 25 seminar hours, 110 placement hours

Academic Culture

The program is highly rewarding. Fall Schedule: mid-August to early December. Spring Schedule: Late January to mid-May.

Class Format

Students learn with other CIEE participants in small, dynamic groups, taking five classes that are required for this program. Learning happens through lectures, fieldwork, excursion, interviews, small group work, and discussions. Because of the focus on critical thinking, assignments and exams are writing intensive. Classes are typically held Monday through Friday and are for CIEE participants only. Instruction is supported and augmented online by Canvas, our e-learning management tool.

Grading

Students are assessed with traditional evaluation tools – tests, reports, essays, participation, and oral presentations – and given a standard letter grade of A-F like in the US.

Language of Instruction

English and Spanish

Course Information

All students take a Spanish Language class, at an appropriate level (as determined by a placement evaluation) from the list below. Students will automatically be enrolled in a Language Course Placeholder. Students will take a language assessment on the first day of Spanish class, to ensure appropriate placement and success in language classes, from the list below.

Academic Projects

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course INSH 3003 MTVE: Conservation and Sustainability Internship

Language English

Semester Credit 3

Biological and Physical Sciences

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course BIOL 3001 MTVE: Tropical Conservation Biology and Policy

Language English

Semester Credit 4

Course BIOL 3002 MTVE: Costa Rican Natural History

Language English

Semester Credit 2

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course ENVI 3001 MTVE: Sustainability: Environment, Economy, and Society

Language English

Semester Credit 4

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course (GI) SPAN 1005 MOCR: Spanish Language - Beginning I

Language Spanish

Semester Credit 4

Course (GI) SPAN 1006 MOCR: Spanish Language – Beginning II

Language Spanish

Semester Credit 4

Course (GI) SPAN 2005 MOCR: Spanish Language – Intermediate I

Language Spanish

Semester Credit 3

Course (GI) SPAN 2006 MOCR: Spanish Language – Intermediate II

Language Spanish

Semester Credit 3

Course (GI) SPAN 3005 MOCR: Spanish Language - Advanced I

Language Spanish

Semester Credit 3

Course (GI) SPAN 3006 MOCR: Spanish Language - Advanced II

Language Spanish

Semester Credit 3

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% 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.

Discover Internship Opportunities

We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.

Explore Industry Options

Monteverde provides an engaging work environment focused on sustainable agriculture, conservation, ecotourism, and community initiatives. Most jobs promote environmental stewardship and biodiversity while offering a unique experience within a small, multicultural community nestled in the Costa Rican cloud forest.

A female intern picks crops from a field

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Gain experience in agricultural markets, agribusiness companies, and NGOs to study food production and global processes.

A intern teacher works with her students in the classroom

Education and Training

Experience international teaching methodologies and curriculum development in classrooms around Jordan, Spain, and more.

A restaurant manager reviews information on a table with a chef

Hospitality and Tourism

Polish your hospitality management skills by studying global tourism practices, customer service excellence, and more.

A female intern listens to instructions from her teacher

Manufacturing

Study global supply chains, production technologies, and international business strategies in England, Singapore, and more.

Browse Internship Opportunities

Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.


Community Garden Intern Fall 2025 Community Garden Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Agriculture Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role The intern will assist in the every day management of the community garden doing routine chores such as weeding, planting and harvesting. Additionally a special project will be assigned according to the needs of the garden and the interest of the intern. This could include building composting systems, irrigation systems, rainwater catchment systems, etc. If the intern is fluent in Spanish, there could be opportunity for teaching local school children About the Company Community garden located in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The garden is run by volunteers and provides land area for locals who wish to produce their own food, it produces fresh, healthy food for the local school, and runs a Saturday farmer's market where local producers and artisans can sell their products. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Agriculture
Permaculture Intern Fall 2025 Permaculture Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Agriculture Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role The intern is expected to help in the everyday chores of farm management as well as to propose a personal project for building infrastructure or generating information that adds to the sustainability of the farm. About the Company An NGO associated with a sustainable, permaculture hotel. It specializes in permaculture farming and uses its income to give out scholarships to locals wishing to take part in permaculture courses. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Agriculture
Soil Management Intern Fall 2025 Soil Management Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Agriculture Company Industry Education and Training About the Role The intern would be conducting research on soil micro-organism diversity, carbon content, nutrient content, efficiency of composting practices, designing composting systems, or other soil-related topics around the experimental farm. Some lab work could be required depending on the project About the Company The university campus owned by CIEE also offers internships. These internships can range from academic internships to hands-on infrastructure and community work. Topics include continuation of long-term research projects, innovative research projects using the farm and lab installations, sustainable garden design, community outreach, certification in sustainability, and sustainable food production. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Education and Training	Agriculture
Climate Change Communications Intern Fall 2025 Climate Change Communications Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Communication Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role This role offers a dynamic opportunity to engage in environmental advocacy by promoting awareness and education about climate change. Interns will work closely with the communication team to develop and implement communication strategies, create engaging content for social media and other platforms, and assist in promoting community outreach programs. This role involves conducting research on local climate issues, supporting campaigns to mitigate environmental impact, and collaborating with local organizations. About the Company A citizen movement that aims to make Monteverde, Costa Rica, more resilient to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, capturing more carbon, and adapting to the changing environment. This organization also works to promote Costa Rica’s National Strategy for Climate Change by monitoring, facilitating, motivating, and mobilizing actions on climate change. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Communication
Communications Intern Fall 2025 Communications Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Communication Company Industry Government and Public Administration About the Role As a communications intern you will be responsible for updating the organization's social media presence (social media content, website design, mailing list database management, communication strategy). About the Company The Monteverde Community Fund (also known as Fondo Comunitario Monteverde) plays a vital role in fostering sustainability and resilience in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Government and Public Administration	Communication
Communications Intern Fall 2025 Communications Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Communication Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role In this role you can enhance the company's outreach and digital footprint. As part of your role, you'll revamp the communication strategy, breathing new life into our web presence. Collaborating closely with the team, craft engaging content, amplify their mission, and connect with diverse audiences worldwide. This internship offers a unique opportunity to merge creativity with conservation, leaving a lasting impact on both local and global scales. About the Company Rooted in Monteverde's history, this organization is a beacon of sustainability amidst growth and climate challenges. Committed to preserving the region's biodiversity and freshwater sources, it fosters community involvement and education. From its inception, the focus has been on safeguarding the watershed and supporting research initiatives. Through grants and partnerships, it empowers local organizations and individuals to champion water conservation and ecological education. Its vision echoes through generations, ensuring Monteverde's legacy of environmental stewardship thrives into the future. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Communication
Environmental Education Intern Fall 2025 Environmental Education Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Education Company Industry Education and Training About the Role The Intern would become involved in the environmental programs of the school, designing and directing activities for children in the school campus forest. About the Company This is a bilingual, private school that offers education from preschool to sixth grade in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The school is located on 106 acres of cloud forest and focuses on environmental education and sustainability. The school also provides financial support to 75% of its local students and welcomes international students and families. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Education and Training	Education
Climate change adaptation and mitigation Intern Fall 2025 Climate change adaptation and mitigation Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role Interns will assist with CORCLIMA's climate adaptation projects in Monteverde, which may include supporting the Monteverde Electric Route project, conducting research and writing for the dry toilet initiative, and carrying out climate change-related surveys depending on the active projects during the internship period. This is an excellent opportunity for hands-on experience in climate adaptation efforts and local sustainable development. About the Company A citizen movement that aims to make Monteverde, Costa Rica, more resilient to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, capturing more carbon, and adapting to the changing environment. This organization also works to promote Costa Rica’s National Strategy for Climate Change by monitoring, facilitating, motivating, and mobilizing actions on climate change. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Environmental
Environmental Outreach Intern Fall 2025 Environmental Outreach Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role The Environmental Outreach Intern will focus on Palo Vivo's community and environmental programs. These may include planning or monitoring reforestation efforts, teaching young children about forests through classes or through tree climbing, creating environmental education programs, planning and setting climbing routes on trees (depends on experience) About the Company A start-up NGO which seeks to create environmental awareness about the tropical forest through tree-climbing, reforestation and forest immersion. They focus on environmental education of young people through experiential learning in the forest. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Environmental
Campus Recycling Program Intern Fall 2025 Campus Recycling Program Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental/Sustainability Company Industry Education and Training About the Role The intern would be in charge of evaluating the current recycling system and improving it as well as creating signage and training material for both staff and students. About the Company The university campus owned by CIEE also offers internships. These internships can range from academic internships to hands-on infrastructure and community work. Topics include continuation of long-term research projects, innovative research projects using the farm and lab installations, sustainable garden design, community outreach, certification in sustainability, and sustainable food production. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Education and Training	Environmental/Sustainability
Communications Intern Fall 2025 Communications Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental/Sustainability Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role The intern will spearhead communication initiatives, engaging with community members to raise awareness about conservation efforts and facilitate dialogue on environmental issues. This internship offers a unique opportunity to engage with the community, making a tangible impact on biodiversity preservation and community empowerment. About the Company This orgnization's mission is a designated conservation initiative in Costa Rica that aims to bridge the cloud forests of the central mountainous Monteverde region with the coastal mangroves in the Gulf of Nicoya. They not only focus on preserving biodiversity and facilitating wildlife movement between these critical habitats but also emphasize strong community engagement and social impact. Through collaborative efforts with local communities, they promote sustainable land-use practices, environmental education, and ecotourism opportunities, empowering residents to actively participate in conservation efforts. By integrating scientific research with community-driven initiatives, they foster a harmonious relationship between people and nature, ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of both the environment and local livelihoods. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Environmental/Sustainability
Eco-Tourism Planning Intern Fall 2025 Eco-Tourism Planning Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental/Sustainability Company Industry Hospitality and Tourism About the Role The intern would help create informational material about wild animal and plant species that live on the farm. This material would be created both in physical and digital formats to be incorporated into the social media of the farm. About the Company A small, family-owned business focused on ecotourism. They own a small private reserve where visitors can engage in environmentally friendly activities such as hiking and bird watching, as well as enjoy local food. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Hospitality and Tourism	Environmental/Sustainability
Forest Research Intern Fall 2025 Forest Research Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental/Sustainability Company Industry Education and Training About the Role CIEE Monteverde manages long-term forest plots which contribute to generate important data about the growth and carbon capture that happens in Premontane Rainforest. The intern would spend time in the field measuring trees and then processing this data to add to the existing database for long-term analysis. About the Company The university campus owned by CIEE also offers internships. These internships can range from academic internships to hands-on infrastructure and community work. Topics include continuation of long-term research projects, innovative research projects using the farm and lab installations, sustainable garden design, community outreach, certification in sustainability, and sustainable food production. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Education and Training	Environmental/Sustainability
GIS Intern Fall 2025 GIS Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental/Sustainability Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role As a GIS Intern, you will play a crucial role in supporting our conservation efforts by collecting, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data to map the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of the corridor. Your responsibilities will include developing and maintaining GIS databases, creating detailed maps for research and management purposes, and assisting in fieldwork to gather geospatial data. This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the preservation of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world while gaining hands-on experience in environmental GIS applications. About the Company This orgnization's mission is a designated conservation initiative in Costa Rica that aims to bridge the cloud forests of the central mountainous Monteverde region with the coastal mangroves in the Gulf of Nicoya. They not only focus on preserving biodiversity and facilitating wildlife movement between these critical habitats but also emphasize strong community engagement and social impact. Through collaborative efforts with local communities, they promote sustainable land-use practices, environmental education, and ecotourism opportunities, empowering residents to actively participate in conservation efforts. By integrating scientific research with community-driven initiatives, they foster a harmonious relationship between people and nature, ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of both the environment and local livelihoods. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Environmental/Sustainability
Social media and communications intern Fall 2025 Social media and communications intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Environmental/Sustainability Company Industry Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources About the Role In this role, as an intern you will create social media content about conservation efforts, create content for potential donors and enhance the communications capabilities of the organization. About the Company Thus is a non-profit civil organization that works to protect and restore the tropical ecosystems and biodiversity of Monteverde, Costa Rica. The organization is responsible for creating and managing the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, the largest private reserve in the country, which covers more than 54,000 acres of primary and secondary forest. The organization also offers educational, research, reforestation, and ecotourism programs to benefit the local community and the environment. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	Environmental/Sustainability
Swap Shop Operations Intern Fall 2025 Swap Shop Operations Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Fashion Company Industry Manufacturing About the Role The intern will help on the everyday operations of the swap shop, will help in the designing and manufacturing of upcycled clothes from used clothes, help manage inventories and databases, and possible help with social media and community outreach. About the Company A non-profit start up derived from Monteverde`s Comission for Climate Change. It works on a volunteer basis for community members who wish to help with its social function. The main goal of the organization is to promote a circular economy in Monteverde and reduce the amount of waste the town produces by keeping items and clothing in the local economy. It serves as a swap shop where local residents can bring in items and clothes they do not use and exchange them for other items that might be of use to them. Additionally they also run a workshop where they take clothes that are no longer usable and upcycle them into items that can be sold and kept in the economy. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Manufacturing	Fashion
Garden Design Intern Fall 2025 Garden Design Intern Monteverde, Costa Rica Job Type Sustainability Company Industry Education and Training About the Role The intern would be in charge of designing and planning a native plant garden for a university campus which should be accessible to students and staff as a recreational and learning area. The garden should focus on planting native species which promote the survival of important pollinator species such as humming birds, bees, beetles, bats and other. About the Company The university campus owned by CIEE also offers internships. These internships can range from academic internships to hands-on infrastructure and community work. Topics include continuation of long-term research projects, innovative research projects using the farm and lab installations, sustainable garden design, community outreach, certification in sustainability, and sustainable food production. Interested in this internship? This and other internships like it are available by applying to this program. Apply on MyCIEE	Education and Training	Sustainability

Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.

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
CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
MSI Grant
CIEE STEM Scholarship
Fall 25 or Spring 26 Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellowship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

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 Fall 2025 16 weeks	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date August 18, 2025	End Date December 6, 2025	Fees & Housing $19,950

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	$15,956 ^**
Housing	$3,500 ^***
Insurance	$194
Total Fees	$19,950

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

Estimated Costs

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

International Airfare	$700 ^†
Local Transportation	$200
Personal expenses	$230 ^††
Total Costs	$1,130

^*non-refundable fee

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

^***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

^†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

Meals

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

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

Start an Application

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Apply Now

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

Contact CIEE

We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Interested in an optional internship?

After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!