About the Program

The Monteverde program, based at the Monteverde Institute (MVI), offers students an unparalleled opportunity to study in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Founded in 1986, MVI is a leader in sustainability and community engagement, located within the Monteverde Cloud Forest—a vital part of the Bellbird Biological Corridor and home to thousands of species across eight distinct ecological zones. Students will gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship while deepening their knowledge of Spanish and Costa Rican culture. In addition, those studying statistics and data science will collaborate with researchers and community organizations on real-world data projects, applying their skills to support conservation and local initiatives.

Start and End Dates

May 21 – June 23, 2026*

*Students are required to complete preparatory work with the program directors before arriving in Costa Rica.

Prerequisites

This program is open to all — no prior knowledge of Spanish is required, but an intermediate level may be needed for certain internships and the course on Costa Rican culture. For questions, contact Therese Tardio, program director.

Statistics & Data Science students should contact Peter Freeman.

Course Information

All students will earn 18 units of academic credit:

• one Spanish language class
• one additional class — a course on Costa Rican culture (taught in Spanish), Tropical Ecology or Statistics & Data Science

Students will also participate in an internship or community engagement project* Students will be paired with local non-profits and/or researchers and have the opportunity to choose from a variety of projects that may focus on:

• reforestation, water monitoring, camera-trapping, community health, medicinal plants, gender equity or permaculture
• SDS students will work on data analytics projects

*In order to receive academic credit for the internship, students will need to enroll in a mini course in Fall 1 upon their return to campus.

Extracurricular Activities

As part of the program fee, students will engage in a variety of additional excursions and co-curricular activities to enrich their studies. These include visits to local farms, a sustainable fishery on the Pacific coast, an organic coffee farm and guided tours of numerous local ecological sites.

Travel & Transportation

Students are responsible for their airfare to/from Costa Rica. The program fee includes transit between San José’s international airport and Monteverde, as well as transportation for all required excursions.

Accomodation

After arriving in Costa Rica, students will take part in an excursion and stay at a local eco-lodge with meals included. In Monteverde, all students will live with host families, who provide meals as part of the immersive homestay experience. This offers a valuable opportunity to practice Spanish at any level while gaining first-hand insight into Costa Rican culture.

Program Cost

$9,850*

*Students will be billed the program cost via their CMU student account. Please refer to Student Financial Services for more information including payment options.

The program fee covers tuition, learning materials, housing and meals, entry fees and transportation for all required excursions. It also includes travel between San José’s international airport and Monteverde on the designated arrival and departure days.

Airfare to/from Costa Rica and incidental expenses are not included in the program fee.

Scholarships & Funding

Our department, the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Office of International Education offer study abroad scholarships for semester, full-year or summer programs. All LCAL declared majors and Arabic Studies minors in good academic standing with CMU are guaranteed a scholarship from LCAL. Scholarships can be applied to tuition, room and board, airfare and/or book expenses for any accredited study abroad program. Learn more about funding your study abroad experience.

Additionally, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development offers two national and international fellowships and scholarships that students participating in the CMU in Monteverde program might be eligible for: the CMU Jennings Family Brave Companions Fund and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Learn more about these study abroad scholarship options.