All students will take a Statistics class, engage in an internship or community engagement project, and a Spanish class. For the internships/community engagement projects, students will be paired with researchers at MVI and/or local non-profits, 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; permaculture; in order to receive additional credit for the internship, students can take mini in Fall 1 upon return to campus. Students will live with Costa Rican families in homestays, and will also participate in several additional excursions.

Because the Statistics course is considered an Advanced Data Analysis Elective, students will be required to have taken (36-200 or 36-220 or 36-247 or have equivalent AP Credit) and (36-202 or 36-290 or 36-309). No prior knowledge of Spanish is required, but an intermediate level may be needed for certain internships. Accepted students will participate in a course (82-289, units variable) during mini-4 prior to the program. For questions, contact the program director.

Total program cost is $7,500

Cost includes: Tuition and materials; entry fees and transport to excursions that are part of the required curriculum; homestay with Costa Rican families (room & board); transport to and from the Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica and the program site on the designated travel days for arrival and departure.

Not included: Airfare to and from Costa Rica, incidental expenses. Students must arrive to and leave from Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica.

Visit our Payment Page to learn about payment options for this study abroad program.

Study Abroad Scholarships

There are study abroad scholarship within the sponsoring departments, along with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Scholarships can be put towards tuition, room and board, airfare and/or book expenses when participating in any accredited study abroad program. Students are encouraged to talk to the program directors to look for additional scholarships. Learn more about scholarships.

Upon arrival in Costa Rica, students will participate in an excursion, and stay at a local, environmentally-friendly lodge, with meals provided. Once in Monteverde, all students will be placed with local families as part of their immersive experience, with meals during the homestay provided by the families. This experience offers an invaluable way to further practice Spanish skills – at any level, and to gain first-hand insight into Costa Rican culture. Homestays are within walking distance of the Monteverde Institute. 

Students are responsible for their airfare to and from the Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica. Transit between the airport and the program site in Monteverde, as well as transport to required excursions, is included in the program fee.