SFS - Sustainable Development Studies

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Atenas

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 

Description: Costa Rica is currently undergoing a period of great economic and social change. As this resource-rich, wonderfully biodiverse country continues along a path of rapid development, it is becoming increasingly influenced by global policy such as the Central American Fair Trade Act (CAFTA) and foreign markets. Costa Ricas economy has shifted from an economy predominately based on agriculture to one driven by ecotourism and technology exports. At the same time, brisk population growth is straining natural and developed resources. The country now faces a critical juncture as resource management decisions are being made in an effort to keep pace with competitive global markets. Our goal is to study different sustainable management models that protect the biodiversity of Costa Rica's ecosystems while promoting socioeconomic benefits for its people.

Students will examine the effects of globalization on classic sustainability issues such as agro-ecology, national park protection, economic development, urban sprawl, population growth, trash management, and air quality. Students focus on evaluating the success of Costa Rica's world-renowned management systems as well as developing alternative strategies, such as sustainable practices and organic agriculture as an alternative to poaching around national parks, that conserve biodiversity and protect natural resources. Visits to cloud forests, dry forests, volcanic parks, lowland rainforests, and plantations offer opportunities to examine management schemes, identify the benefits of protected areas, and determine which systems offer the best option for economic development, the maintenance of cultural norms, and the preservation of biodiversity. Understanding the forces that are driving Costa Rica's policies as well as those driving change, will be key as students analyze potential natural resource solutions for Costa Rica, and hopefully, beyond.

Highlights: Study tropical ecology, economics, and understand the socio-cultural issues related to the natural resource management challenges in world-renowned protected areas. Learn professional level field research skills and work with local Costa Rican park rangers, farmers, and top environmental officials to understand the challenges of maintaining the biodiversity of the country. Travel to Nicaragua on a field expedition. Become a member of the friendly community of Atenas and sharpen your Spanish conversation skills.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3-4 (32 on site)

Scholarships are Available. SFS scholarships up to 6K; 0% and low interest loans

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

The School for Field Studies's Mission Statement: The School for Field Studies (SFS), an accredited, international non-profit academic institution, provides environmental education and conducts research through its field-based programs. SFS is committed to providing: *Hands-on, field-based interdisciplinary education *Environmental research in partnership with natural resource dependent communities. Our goals are to: *Provide students with a unique and challenging educational and life experience that assists them in successfully advancing their careers as skilled professionals and globally aware citizens; *Work with local community stakeholders to develop models for the sustainable management of their natural resources.

Year Founded: 1980