Tropical Ecology Maymester!

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose
• Monteverde: 
Monteverde

Term: Summer 
Dates: May 10 - June 6, 2010

Description: The Costa Rica Ecology Program is an interdisciplinary tropical field course involving study of tropical environments, their natural history and their people. The approach is hands-on, with an emphasis on developing skills of observation, analysis and critical thinking, and learning to apply those skills in carrying out original research in the field.

While many participants will be from Ecology, students from other disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply. In previous years, participants have represented Biology, Genetics, Geography, Spanish, Latin American studies, Education, Landscape Architecture, Anthropology, Journalism, Horticulture, Art, and International Agriculture, among other fields.

Highlights: The program will take place in Costa Rica. Located between Nicaragua and Panama in Central America, Costa Rica is a small country known for its pioneering role in tropical conservation, its peaceful, democratic traditions, and its commitment to education, health, and diplomacy. Costa Rica is the only country in the Western Hemisphere without an army. Only 1/3 the size of the state of Georgia, Costa Rica is home to some half a million species--about 4% of the species on the planet.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 2,600 USD

Included in this estimate are: All lodging, meals, ground transportation, guest lectures, excursions and group activities, entrance fees, cultural events and fiestas, most optional activities, laundry, welcome dinner and farewell banquet, medical insurance, and airport departure tax. Not included are: airfare, personal supplies, telephone, and incidentals.

***Note: Out-of-state students pay in-state tuition. The HOPE scholarship applies.

Experience Required: yes

Prerequisite GPA: Good standing; BIOL 1107/1108 completed; No previous background in Spanish is required.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of Max 24

Scholarships are Available. Friends of UGA Costa Rica Scholarship Fund Qualifying students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled in UGA as a full-time student. Friends of UGA Costa Rica Scholarships will be distributed primarily on the basis of financial need. STARS (Students Abroad with Regents Support) Stipends, in the amount of $500, are available for 2009 UGA Costa Rica program applicants. Stipends are awarded to students upon the completion of 50 hours of work in the UGA Costa Rica Office and are intended to cover a portion of the study abroad program costs. To be eligible for the stipend, students must be enrolled full-time at UGA and must be accepted by a UGA Costa Rica Study Abroad Program (early acceptance required). Prior to the program start date, students must be able to complete 50 hours of work to earn the total stipend. UGA Foundation Incentive Scholarship The UGA Foundation has established a $500,000 endowment to support study abroad scholarships for UGA students. A portion of this scholarship is dedicated each year to students going on UGA Costa Rica study abroad programs. The UGA Foundation Incentive Scholarships range from $250-$700 each. Scholarships will be awarded competitively on the basis of academic excellence and financial need, with priority being given to freshmen students who have not previously studied abroad. Scholarships are available to full-time UGA undergraduate students only. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

University of Georgia's Mission Statement: Our Mission is to provide excellence in academic programs and research opportunities while serving as the best equipped social, cultural, environmental and international facility of the University of Georgia. Our Vision is to work under the principles of environmental, cultural, social and economic stability, as well as to serve as an example of sustainability to the academic and non-academic communities of Costa Rica, Latin America and the World.

Year Founded: 1785