International Education
Study Abroad
Study Spanish and Field Biology/Ecology in Costa Rica
June 28 - July 29, 2008
Students wishing to apply must download and fill out the Costa Rica application form and the Costa Rica Release and Conduct form (Word Documents).
In the summer Costa Rica program, you spend two weeks studying Spanish at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense, in Alajuela. Earn 4 credits of college Spanish at your level of proficiency!
While in Alajuela, students also begin their Biology study with trips to nearby Zoo Ave. Wildlife Conservation Park and the Natural Sciences Museum in San Jose. Then visit four ecological zones, beginning with Cabo Blanco to study tropical dry forest ecology and marine biology on the Pacific Coast, followed by a trip to the swamplands of Palo Verde National Park. The third climatic zone of study is the Caribbean-side tropical environment research facility at La Selva for two full days of birding and natural history tours. The final five days are spent at the University of Georgia’s tropical research station, Ecolodge, in the Monteverde Cloud Forest to study the mountain rainforest.
Earn 4 credits in Field Biology. This biology course, designed for non-science majors, is open to all students with an interest in learning more about these four distinct biological environments of the tropics.
Program fee of $3200 includes airfare, lodging, all meals except about half the lunches, transportation by private bus between study sites, and entrance fees; 8 credits tuition is extra, paid to Chemeketa Community College.
The Instituto de Lengua y Cultura Costarricense
The ICLC is situated in Carillo, a suburb of Alajuela, about twelve miles northwest of San Jose, the capital city. Carillo homes will have most of the
modern conveniences you are used to. The language school is about a 30-minute bus ride from your homestay. The ICLC campus, new as of 2006, has a small
cafeteria/café, inside and outside classrooms, and a small library.
Family Stays
Your host family will meet you at the San Jose airport. They will help you
to become familiar with Carillo and particularly the area around the school.
During our two weeks at the ICLC language school, host families provide all
of our students with breakfast and dinner, but not lunch.
Students may either buy foods at a grocery store for making lunches, or purchase
a lunch at the ICLC cafeteria.
Language Classes
Before you leave Oregon, register for the level of Spanish that you have not yet studied (SPAN 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, and 203).
Some colleges have placement exams if you are unsure, or you may want to speak with a Spanish instructor. At ICLC, students are also tested and placed
according to Spanish language ability: Superior, Advanced, Intermediate, Novice. By Tuesday of the first week, classes are taught entirely in Spanish—no
translations. This is total immersion!
There are four students per instructor. Instructors are rotated, and groups can change as conditions dictate. Instructors utilize speaking, listening, music, video, literature and newspapers during the course of a day. Instruction is 4 to 5 hours per day, five days per week. Students accumulate more than the minimum 40 hours of Spanish instruction required by the Oregon college system for one term of college credit. In fact, they can accumulate over 50 hours of instruction.
Costa Rica is a safe country, and students are encouraged to travel on their own during the weekends after the two Spanish weeks. Two Biology day trips will also be arranged on these weekends. However, ICLC can arrange group outings, including Paquori River rafting and trips to other points of interest in Costa Rica.
Cabo Blanco
The first stop for the Biology program is on the Pacific coast, at Cabo Blanco—a University of Georgia research and teaching site. We go by bus to
Puntarenas, take a ferry across the Golfo de Nicoya, and drive to the edge of the Cabo Blanco Preserve. This remote area is open only for research
and academic courses. Here, students will investigate dry tropical forests and the marine environment. Students should enjoy life in a simple thatched
palapa and snorkeling when the water is clear.
The second study site is the marshes of the Nicoya Peninsula. Here, at the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) research facility, students will examine a variety of waterfowl—cattle egrets, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, green-backed herons, scarlet macaws, curassows and ibis—as well as mammals such as pig-like perccaries, howler monkeys, coatis, and capuchin monkeys in the drier zones.
La Selva Reserve
In the second week of Biology, we’ll bus to Sarapiqui, near this tropical rain forest OTS reserve in the Caribbean foothills. Species diversity is
amazing, including more than 1,850 species of plants, 350 of trees, 448 of birds, and 500 of ants! La Selva is one of the world’s most important sites
for tropical ecosystem research, including projects on forest dynamics, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and native species reforestation. Tours include
an introduction to birding, research survey, and tropical plants.
High in the forested mountains northwest of San Jose, this research station is near Monteverde, Costa Rica’s famous montane cloud forest preserve. Ecolodge also has its own pre-montane forest, rich in plants and animals. Ecolodge is another University of Georgia branch campus, including student union, computers, library, dining hall, classrooms, dorms, individual cabins, and lab facilities. We will spend four full days here, learning about tropical ecology. Two terrific optional activities that yield a bird’s-eye perspective on the rainforest are the Sky Walk Canopy Bridge Tour and Zipline ($55).
Itinerary
- WEEK ONE: Depart from Portland, June 28, 12:30 a.m., arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica, at 11:55 a.m.. Host families will greet students and take them home
to rest. After visiting with host families on Sunday, students take a Spanish placement test and an orientation tour of Alajuela on Monday. Classes start
at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense on Tuesday, and go through Friday. Afternoon activities include a museum visit, traditional Costa Rican
games, and two biology classes. On the weekend, Field Biology will visit the Zoo Ave. rehabilitation project for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Optional
activities include a guided Poas Volcano trip ($65), but this trip can also be done economically by public transit .
- WEEK TWO: Spanish classes continue through Friday, July 11. Extracurricular activities include a movie, dancing class, and an optional visit to a local
snake farm (extra fee). On the weekend, Field Biology will visit the Natural Sciences Museum. Optional activities include white-water rafting ($70).
- WEEK THREE: Monday, July 14, in an all-day trip, we bus and ferry to Cabo Blanco, on the Pacific Coast, to investigate lowland tropical forest
environments and marine ecology. Thursday, July 17, we bus (6 hours) to Palo Verde Park to examine the marsh environment and view its resident wildlife.
- WEEK FOUR: Sunday, July 20, we bus (6 hours) to La Selva tropical forest reserve, staying in the local town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui for tours to
the rich diversity of the lowland. Wednesday, July 23, we bus (6 hours) to Ecolodge, high in the cloud forest northwest of Alajuela and settle in at
Ecolodge San Luis, a learning and research facility run by the University of Georgia. We spend four days learning about mountain tropical forest
environments. On Monday, July 28, we bus back to Alajuela for one night in a hotel before an afternoon departure the next day, July 29, arriving in
Portland at 11:24 p.m.
The Oregon International Education Consortium consists of:
- Chemeketa Community College
- Central Oregon Community College
- Clackamas Community College
- Mount Hood Community College
- Portland Community College
- Linn-Benton Community College
- Rogue Community College
The consortium offers programs in four countries ranging from 2 to 11 weeks. For questions and more information, contact your Oregon
International Education Consortium representative: Maureen McGlynn at 503.399.6145.
Updated February 6, 2008 by Marketing and Student Recruitment.