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Tropical Ecology + Conservation
June 15, 2015 - August 10, 2015
Program Overview
Spend the summer exploring Costa Rica’s diverse and imitable ecosystems and gain comprehensive insight into its conservation through theory, hands-on exposure, and direct experimentation.
Through rigorous coursework, Spanish language instruction, extensive travel throughout Costa Rica, and an independent research project, study abroad in Monteverde, acquaints you with tropical biodiversity, direct field experimentation and practical problems associated with agricultural development, eco-tourism, and grassroots conservation efforts in developing countries.
Study abroad in Costa Rica and you will:
- Camp and hike in some of Costa Rica’s most amazing protected areas, including a rain and dry forest, mangroves, beaches, and more
- Live in Monteverde, an internationally recognized area of research and natural beauty, and home to a world famous cloud forest
- Gain research experience conducting your own independent project
- Experience rural Costa Rica through a homestay with a local family
Scholarships & Grants
We want as many students as possible to benefit from studying abroad. That’s why CIEE awards more than $3 million every year – more than any other international educational organization – to make study abroad affordable.
Applicants to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
To be considered, simply check the “Scholarships and Grants” box on your program application.
The CIEE Difference
Coursework
In Monteverde, the field is your classroom. Explore issues of tropical diversity, community ecology, and human impact in the tropics from your biological research station in the cloud forest.
You’ll also spend eighteed days traveling with your professors throughout Costa Rica to explore a variety of the country’s ecosystems.
Excursions
Explore a wide range of tropical ecosystems throughout Costa Rica, including the Santa Rosa National Park, a tropical dry forest known as a center for the study of regeneration. Other sites visited during this trip include the Corcovado National Park, a lush rain forest that serves as home to such birds as the chestnut-backed antbird and the white-crowned parrot, as well as to the two-toed sloth, coatimundi, and howler and white-faced monkeys. You’ll also visit Carara National Park, Arenal volcano, as well as other places of biological interest.
Independent Research
Use your newly minted skills and knowledge to carry out an independent project in tropical ecology or conservation. Beginning with personal observations, you’ll formulate a hypothesis, design an appropriate test, and gather and analyze data. The project culminates in oral presentations and submitted written reports on your work.
Dates, Deadlines & Fees
We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.
The program fee includes:
- Tuition and housing
- Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
- Full-time program leadership and support
- Field trips and cultural activities
- CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits
Eligibility
- Overall GPA 2.75
- 1 semester of college-level biology
- 1 additional semester of college-level biology, ecology, or environmental science recommended
- Some college-level Spanish recommended
Recommended Credit
Total recommended credit for the summer is 10 semester/15 quarter hours. Total contact hours for the program are 150 hours.
Course contact hours are 30 and recommended credit is 2 semester/3 quarter hours unless otherwise indicated.
Program Requirements
Study abroad participants are required to take all of the courses offered: tropical biology, independent study, humans in the tropics, and spanish conversation at their level.
About The City
Monteverde is a small community of 4,000 that accommodates up to 200,000 tourists each year. Its forest is located in the largest private reserve in Central America and reflects a long heritage of grassroots conservation. The reserve encompasses not only cloud forest but everything from dry rorest to rain forest habitats. Monteverde’s forests house over 2,500 species of plants, including more than 500 species of orchids. In addition, Monteverde has over 60 species of amphibians, 100 of mammals, and 450 of birds, including the Resplendant Quetzal.
Meet The Staff
Alan Masters
Resident DirectorAlan R. Masters, Ph.D, has an M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Florida and a B.S. from Illinois State University. He has lived in Monteverde for over 20 years. Since 1993 he has been director of CIEE’s Tropical Ecology and Conservation summer study abroad program. While originally a lepidopterist, Alan studied over 22 species of mimetic butterflies in Monteverde: what makes them taste bad and what that means to predation risk. Since teaching with CIEE, Alan’s interests include not only plant-animal interactions but all facets of tropical diversity and conservation.
Raquel Bone
Teaching AssistantRaquel Bone completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Costa Rica. Raquel began as teaching assistant for CIEE Spring 2014. Her research interests are with large mammals.
Jose Carlos Calderon
Teaching AssistantJose Carlos Calderon, known as “Moncho,” is a bat biologist with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Costa Rica. Moncho has been a teaching assistant with CIEE for seven years.
Johel Chaves
OrnithologistDr. Johel Chaves, B.A. and MSc from University of Costa Rica, and Ph.D. from Purdue University. Post doctoral work at the University of New Orleans. Johel is a Costa Rican ornithologist who has studied frugivory in birds around Monteverde, as well as antbirds and army ant interactions at La Selva Biological Station. He has published works on sea birds, bird song, fish, snails, and shrimp. He is also currently a graduate advisor for Costa Rican students studying at the University of Costa Rica.
Gisella Fenandez
Gisella Fenandez is a biologist and farmer with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Costa Rica. Gisella studied how large cats threaten livestock on farms near biological reserves. Gisella teaches Humans in the Tropics and will take you to farms and conservation projects to explore human impact on the environment.
Richard Laval
Field InstructorDr. Richard LaVal, Field Instructor. B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University, M.S., Vertebrate Zoology from Louisiana State University, and Ph.D., Wildlife Sciences from Texas A&M. Dr. LaVal is currently studying the ecological significance of echolocation in bats. He has been assisting the CIEE program in Monteverde since it began in 1989.
Kathy Rockwell
Program CoordinatorKathy Rockwell is a lifelong Monteverde resident and daughter of Quaker settlers in the region. Prior to working with CIEE, Kathy was the assistant manager at the Monteverde butterfly garden.
Adam Stein
InstuctorAdam Stein, Ph.D., is a tropical conservation biologist whose research interests focus on bird behavior and ecology in avian communities found in rain forests of Costa Rica and Panama. In his role as instructor, Adam teaches Tropical Conservation Biology and Policy, and advises independent research.
Where You’ll Study
The CIEE Study Center in Monteverde is located at the edge of the forest in a small, friendly, bilingual community surrounded by a cloud forest. Monteverde is free of biting insects and green all year-round. Monteverde’s Cloud Forest has been studied for more than 50 years by both visiting and Costa Rican biologists. This widens the research opportunities available and acquaints students with practical biological problems associated with agricultural development, eco-tourism, and grassroots conservation efforts in developing countries.
Housing & Meals
Housing and all meals are included in the study abroad program fee. Students live in a biological station where all classes are taught. It is beautifully situated adjacent to the cloud forest. Students stay in four-person rooms (two bunk beds) with private baths and hot showers. Meals are provided at the biological station and served family style. Vegetarians and vegans can easily be accommodated. For three weeks, participants live and take eat meals with rural Costa Rican families while doing independent research. In addition, participants spend two weeks in cabins or camping during the various field trips conducted throughout the program.
Two teaching assistants/student services coordinators live with the students during the program and is available to answer questions about health issues, living conditions, and the academic program. The coordinator also plans social activities and makes the group aware of cultural and community events.
Orientations
A two-day mandatory orientation session, conducted in San José at the beginning of the study abroad program, introduces you to the country, culture, and academic program, as well as provides practical information about living in Costa Rica and the Monteverde community. It also includes both structured activities and independent sightseeing. You’ll attend lectures, tour museums, and have the opportunity to purchase last-minute supplies. Ongoing support is provided by CIEE staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.
Internet
Wireless internet is available at the Monteverde Biological Station. Internet and telephones are not always available during field trips.
Academics
Established in 1989, the CIEE summer study abroad program in Monteverde was developed to fulfill several goals. The first is to introduce students to all aspects of tropical biology and ecology, including forestry, entomology, and environmental sciences. The second is to allow students to pursue a specific interest in tropical biology and ecology through independent research. Finally, the program gives participants an opportunity to study the language and culture of Costa Rica and enhance their Spanish language skills.
Academic Culture
The small, rigorous courses with a biological focus, taught in English, are offered for CIEE students only and contain extensive experiential components. The required courses combine classroom-based academics with broad practical experience. Professors prepare the students in the classroom and accompany students on field trips.
Given the number of projects and visits required for these courses, students should expect an intense, yet rewarding summer. With its setting in the natural classroom of the forest, the program provides a unique experience that integrates classwork, field study, lab work, and observation.
Nature of Classes
Classes are held with CIEE study abroad students only, and are quite small and dynamic.
Grading System
Students are assessed based on participation, quizzes, field practicals, reports from field experiments, and mid-term and final exams. Independent study grades are based upon a proposal, two submissions of a manuscript, and a symposium presentation. Letter grades of A-F are given with pluses and minuses.
Language of Instruction
English (science courses) and a Spanish language course
Faculty
The courses are taught by the resident director and local faculty. Guest lecturers are invited to discuss their areas of expertise.
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