Temple Summer in Costa Rica

Sustainability and Renewable Energies

Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscape and fascinating culture while learning about sustainability and climate change. In Costa Rica, half of the energy matrix is supplied by geothermal energy, sugar cane waste, biomass, and other renewable sources. Over four weeks, you will experience new developments in renewable energies first-hand as the program travels to different sites in Costa Rica. Through experiential learning, students come together to explore alternative energy solutions to current global issues such as the greenhouse effect and the depletion of the ozone layer.

Program Overview

Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this program.

Academic Program

This program seeks to promote knowledge of the various topics and technologies of renewable energy. Students will travel around different parts of Costa Rica to learn about its progress in implementing renewable natural resources, conservation of energy, reforestation, natural farming, and eco-tourism.

In Costa Rica half of the energy matrix is supplied by geothermal energy, sugar cane waste, biomass, and other renewable sources, making it the perfect location to explore this year's topic: renewable energy. As students will learn on the program through site visits, guided tours and lectures from Temple faculty: sustainable development is possible, but it implies intense development (and deployment) of renewable technologies. 

Language of Instruction

English

Course load

One 3-credit course

Course Offerings

  • Sustainability Special Topics Course (3 credits)
    • Topic for summer 2025: Renewable Energies in Costa Rica
    • This course is available for credit as any of the following (you will select one):
      • College of Science and Technology 2100: Special Topics in Science and Technology
      • Environmental Studies 3000: Special Topics in Environmental Studies
      • Geography and Urban Studies 3000: Special Topics in Geography and Urban Studies
      • Environmental Studies 3900: Honors Special Topics in Environmental Studies
      • Geography and Urban Studies 3900: Honors Special Topics in Geography and Urban Studies

View courses

Location

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

Casa Nube, a picturesque property nestled in the mountains near Braulio Carrillo National Park, will be your home base for about half of the program. In addition to class time, you will also participate in day trips and local activities. You will have access to nature paths at Casa Nube, and a small recreational center with additional hiking trails, picnic areas, and volleyball, basketball and soccer facilities is approximately one mile away. The cities of San Rafael and Heredia are accessible by public bus in about 15 minutes and 25 minutes, respectively.

You will spend the other half of the program on group excursions around the country, each about 3-4 days long. 

The planned itinerary includes guided tours of the Manuel Antonio National Park; Arenal Park; a dam and hydroelectric plant; a visit to a geothermal power plant in Liberia; a stay at La Selva Research Station; and a visit to a biomass plant near Heredia. These excursions are an integral part of the program.

Several classes and/or excursions will 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.

Program Dates

Four weeks: Mid-May through mid-June

Tentative Program Dates for Summer 2025

Departure from U.S.May 12
Arrival in Costa RicaMay 13
OrientationMay 13-14
Last night in housingJune 8
Program endsJune 9

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

Housing type: shared accommodations

Our on-site study abroad partner, IFSA, arranges student housing in shared accommodations. Students will spend time in a few different locations in Costa Rica. The main program site is Casa Nube, where student will spend approximately two weeks total throughout the program. The rooms at Casa Nube are quadruple occupancy, offering stunning views of the local mountain and a small lake, as well as close access to a forest with hiking paths. Other accommodations include shared rooms in small, local hotels around Costa Rica with basic amenities. Daily breakfast is included at each location.

Activities & Excursions

Our on-site study abroad partner, IFSA, 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:

  • a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
  • tours of the Biomass plant at Compañía Nacional de Chocolates and the Virilla River in Heredia
  • visits to geothermal and wind power plants
  • a visit to Barva Volcano
  • visits to a sustainable University campus and La Selva Research Station
  • tour of a dam and hydroelectric plant 

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

Faculty & On-site Support

Faculty

Dr. Miguel Mostafa, Dean of the College of Science and Technology at Temple, serves as program director and instructor.

View program faculty.

On-site Support Staff

In addition to your program director, you will have 24/7 support from our on-site partner, IFSA.

Program Costs

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, estimated at $3675, which includes housing in shared accommodations, orientation, transportation from the airport upon arrival, some field trips and a few group meals. 

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

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.

Health & Safety

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.

Contact

Eligibility Requirements

Temple programs are open to qualified students matriculated at any U.S. or Canadian college or university.

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.

Are enrolled fulltime and will have completed 2 semesters before studying abroad
  • 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.
Are in good academic standing and meet minimum GPA requirement for the program

You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement, on a 4.0 scale from all colleges/universities attended. The requirement varies by program:

  • Temple Semester Programs: 2.75 (Internships: 3.0)
  • Temple Summer Programs: 2.5
  • Exchange Programs: 2.75
  • External Programs: 2.5

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.

Have a valid passport

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.

 

Are in good disciplinary standing

You are 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.

Meet the minimum age requirement

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

For Temple in Costa Rica, there are no additional eligibility requirements.

Application Requirements

The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.

    For Temple in Costa Rica, there are no additional application requirements.

    Admissions Timeline

    • Admissions is rolling (early applications encouraged).
    • Once you submit your application, you should expect a decision within two (2) weeks.

    The memories you make while studying abroad will stay with you for a lifetime, so cherish every moment you have!

    Photo of Brook Quinn against a cityscape of Siena, Italy

    Brook Quinn

    (she/her)