Language of Instruction

English

Course load

One 3-credit course

Course Offerings

• Sustainability Special Topics Course (3 credits)
  • Topic for summer 2026: Sustainable Environments
  • This course is available for credit as any of the following (you will select one):
    • GUS 0842
    • GUS 0942

View courses

As a program participant, you will get to experience several parts of Costa Rica.

The planned itinerary includes excursions to Monteverde, the Osa Peninsula and the Arenal Volcano. These co-curricular trips are an integral part of the program.

Classes and/or excursions may take place on the weekend, and participation is required of all students. During down time, you will have the opportunity to explore local towns/cities and nature.

Four weeks: Mid-May through mid-June

Tentative Program Dates for Summer 2026

Do not use the above dates to book your flight, as they are tentative and subject to change. Accepted students will receive confirmed program dates and flight booking guidelines from Education Abroad before making travel plans.  

Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.

Housing type: shared accommodations

Our on-site study abroad partner arranges student housing in shared accommodations. Details will be shared soon.

Our on-site study abroad partner provides a comprehensive orientation upon arrival, in collaboration with the Temple program leader. Students will participate in multiple cultural activities and excursions throughout the program. The excursions form a crucial part of the program. Details are subject to change, but some of the excursions are likely to include:

• Excursion to Monteverde to learn about cloud forest ecosystems & biodiversity conservation
• Excursion to the Osa Peninsula to experience tropical rainforest
• Visit to Corcovado to study the history of the national park system
• Guided hike to Arenal Volcano area
• City tours & visits to public gardens to learn about urban greening

Students will have downtime to explore the different areas of Costa Rica, but should not plan personal travel during the program. Required excursions and/or class sessions may occur on Saturdays, and transit to program locations may also take place on weekend days. 

PROGRAM DEPOSIT

Students will pay a non-refundable program deposit of $400 within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program, or 2 weeks after the application deadline, whichever is earlier. This non-refundable deposit is credited to your program fees as a prepayment. 

TUITION AND FEES (3 CREDITS)

Temple students pay their usual per-credit rate by school/college and residency.

Non-Temple students pay the non-matriculated student rate based on residency. For the 2024-25 academic year, PA residents are charged $786 per credit and non-PA residents are charged $1,413 per credit. *Non-Temple students: your program costs may vary depending on your home institution's billing model. Please check with your study abroad office about your school's billing policies.

All students pay:

• University Services Fee
• Costa Rica Program Fee, which includes airport transfers upon arrival and departure, orientation, shared accommodations with daily breakfast provided, some additional meals, and program excursions. 

For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet (available soon).

View detailed program costs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to preparing for study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple.

• You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application as well as during the semester prior to studying abroad.
• You will have completed at least two (2) semesters of college-level study by the program start.

You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement from all colleges/universities attended. As of May 2025, the GPA requirement for most programs is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions include:

• Rome Internships: 3.0
• Exchange Programs: 2.75
• External Programs: various, provider requirements may differ from Temple's

You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of your term abroad; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.

You will need a passport, valid well beyond the length of your program, by the application deadline.

View deadlines and validity requirements for your host country.

You must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your term abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.