Sustainability + the Environment
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
3,021
species of plants and trees
7
Natural Wonders of Costa Rica including the Monteverde Cloud Forest
6,700
inhabitants
The 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 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.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Immersing yourself in the steamy jungle of the Lowland Rainforest.
- Rising 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.
- Meet local people and business owners to get a firsthand look at a range of environmental protection projects.
- Earn work experience as an intern in a local organization or company.
- Indoor and outdoor areas with access to forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration and co-curricular activities.
- Optional weekend at a home stay where students can live with a local family in Monteverde and immerse themselves in the Costa Rican culture.
Program Blogs
Top 10 Study Abroad Volunteer Opportunities with CIEE
If you’re itching to study abroad and truly make a difference during your trip, save this blog post as we dive into our Top 10 study abroad volunteer opportunities! Can... keep reading
Recycling Internship with ADI San Luis
Written by Maya Peske (Cornell College), Internship in Sustainability and the Environment The road from San Luis up to Monteverde is well known by all of the people in the... keep reading
Sustainable waste management for manure in a Monteverde dairy farm
Written by Jack Mahr (Pacific Lutheran University), Internship on Sustainability and the Environment. With over 80 hectares, most of which is a primary forest, this Finca Laguna Verde does a... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Monteverde students live in on-campus residence halls surrounded by the Cloud Forest in double, 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: two to four students) on campus located under 20 minutes from the main campus area, where the dining hall and classrooms are located.
Select Housing: Includes two types of on-campus residence halls. One is a shared room with bunkbeds (occupancy: two to four students) located under five minutes from the main campus area. The second type is a private dorm located under 20 minutes from the main campus area. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a private room on campus located under 5 minutes from the main campus area. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
Meals
All students receive three meals per day. Accommodations for vegan and vegetarian diets are available.
Academics
This program is designed for energetic, outdoorsy students who are committed to fully immersing in academics, local culture, and nature. Successful students are those committed to working hard, playing hard, and expanding their comfort zone. Students participants learn in the classroom and field, and travel within Costa Rica to places that most visitors never see. You are rewarded with unique and life-changing experiences, new knowledge and skills, and inspiration to carry the sustainability movement forward.
There is a wet laboratory, an herbarium, plus organic gardens to support a wide array of STEM studies and internship opportunities. An extensive trail system through forest and fields, links classrooms to a botanical garden, animal stables and coffee and vegetable production areas.
Course Information
All students take a Spanish Language class, at an appropriate level (as determined by a placement evaluation) from the list below. Participants should be attentive to the scheduling of the placement tests and the online class schedule, all of which will be communicated well in advance of the program start date.
Academic Projects
Biological and Physical Sciences
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Languages and Cultural Studies
Academic Projects
Biological and Physical Sciences
Languages and Cultural Studies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
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
- 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 Spring 2024 16 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 | |
| Program Fall 2024 16 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 | |
| Program Fall 2023 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $18,850 |
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 = $16,456**
Housing = $3,000***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated 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 = $100
Personal expenses = $230††
Total Costs = $1,030Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:
Select Housing Fee = $750^
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^
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.
*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
^first-come, first serve, based on availability
^^first-come, first serve, based on availability
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 = $16,456**
Housing = $3,000***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
International Airfare = $650†
Local Transportation = $100
Personal expenses = $230††
Other = $100†††
Total Costs = $1,080Financial 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.
*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
†††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
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 = $16,653**
Housing = $1,700***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $18,850Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
International Airfare = $650†
Local Transportation = $100
Personal expenses = $350
Other = $100††
Total Costs = $1,200Financial 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.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***includes all meals
†round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
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 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...
Get Started
1
Start an Application
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.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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