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

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.

Four weeks: Mid-May through mid-June

Tentative Program Dates for Summer 2025

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, 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.

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. 

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 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.

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, 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.

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 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.

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