Language of Instruction

• English; previous Spanish language experience not required.  
• Non-credit Spanish language instruction will be included in the program. 

Course load

One 3-credit course

Course Offerings

• You will select one of the following:
  • Geography and Urban Studies 0842: Sustainable Environments (GenEd Science and Technology)
  • Geography and Urban Studies 0942: Honors Sustainable Environments (GenEd Science and Technology)

Academic Program 

Immerse yourself in one of the most biodiverse and environmentally conscious countries on earth. This four-week academic and cultural program explores sustainability through a combination of scientific understanding and hands-on engagement in Costa Rica’s unique environment. From the streets of San José to the misty peaks of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, you’ll explore firsthand how Costa Rica has become a global leader in conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable living. 

Through the program, led by Dr. Amelia Duffy-Tumasz of Temple’s Geography, Environment and Urban Studies department, you will strengthen your scientific literacy as you study renewable energy, experience the incredible biodiversity of cloud and rain forests, examine how communities manage natural resources through watershed management and reforestation, see farms and food systems in action, explore innovative solutions and technologies for sustainability, and learn about approaches to balancing development and conservation. You’ll also see how a non-profit organization like Monteverde Institute (MVI), the host of our program, works to guide increased tourism in a sustainable way by integrating academic programs, research, and community initiatives into programs to benefit both visitors and the local community.   

Program Schedule & Structure 

The program begins in the capital city of San José, where you’ll have your in-country orientation and learn about Costa Rica’s approach to urban sustainability. From there, your group will travel to the scenic Arenal region to witness the power of renewable energy at a hydroelectric plant and hike beneath Arenal Volcano.  

You’ll then head to the mountains, to Monteverde/Santa Elena. Monteverde is home to MVI, your academic and cultural hub for the remainder of the program. You’ll live with a local host family in/around Santa Elena for approximately three weeks, with the exception of one two-night excursion to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest where you will stay at a field station. The homestay provides an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for Costa Rican culture.  

During the week, classroom learning with Dr. Duffy-Tumasz will be complemented by guest presentations and discussions, as well as ample experiential learning opportunities and environmental exploration -- with guided tours, hikes, and hands-on learning workshops. You will also participate in non-credit Spanish language instruction (offered at various levels from beginner to advanced) to help you further engage with your host community.  

You will have some downtime on select weekends to explore different areas of Costa Rica. As required excursions, activities and/or transit to program locations may take place on some weekend days, and the schedule is tentative, you should not plan any personal travel prior to arrival in Costa Rica. 

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

The program is primarily based in Monteverde/Santa Elena and includes multi-day experiences in San José and the Arenal region. All activities and excursions are an integral part of the program.

Monteverde is located in the highlands of northwestern Costa Rica, and is reached by 32 km winding, paved road off the Pan-American Highway. To the west are Pacific-facing slopes and the Nicoya Peninsula, which are seasonally dry. The crest of the mountainous ridge just above Monteverde, known as the continental divide, sits at approximately 1,400 m above sea level, and is blanketed by a cool, wet cloud forest. Verdant wet forest extends from this crest down to the Atlantic lowlands, providing a striking contrast to the drier Pacific slope.

This unique situation of contrasting wet and dry forest presents an extraordinary opportunity to study plant-animal interactions, ecology, and natural history. Monteverde is world-famous for creating the Monteverde Reserve complex, a collection of private preserves protecting more than 29,000 ha of endangered tropical forest. Monteverde is not a national park; the large expanse of protected areas is the result of grassroots efforts by local residents, biologists, and concerned groups and citizens throughout the world.

Four weeks:  late May through late 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.

While in Monteverde/Santa Elena, you will live in an MVI-arranged homestay located in/around Santa Elena. Host families can be up to a 50-minute walk from the MVI academic center, and some routes may include uneven and/or steep terrain. Public transportation is extremely limited and not an option at this time. Official taxis are available but are not covered by program costs.

All homestay families are trained to guide students throughout their stay. You will participate in MVI's homestay orientation prior to meeting your host family.

Host families' homes vary in size and configuration but are generally simple. You will have your own bedroom and share a bathroom with host family members. Your host will provide breakfast and dinner each day.

Host families will primarily speak Spanish. If you do not have experience with Spanish, please indicate that on your program application so it can be taken into consideration; however, please note that your host family may not include any English speakers. 

When traveling outside of Monteverde/Santa Elena, you will stay in shared occupancy rooms in modest hotels and field stations. Breakfasts and some additional meals are provided during your stays in other locations.

MVI provides a comprehensive orientation upon arrival, in collaboration with the Temple program leader.

Throughout the program, you will participate in numerous required cultural activities and excursions and engage with farmers, scientists, conservationists, and community leaders who are shaping Costa Rica’s sustainable future. Details are subject to change, but activities and  excursions are likely to include:

• Presentations/discussions:  

  • Protecting Trees in the Bellbird Biological Corridor Through Community-Based Conservation  

  • Biodiversity and Conservation in Monteverde, Costa Rica: The Children's Eternal Rainforest 

  • Working toward Climate Resilience in Monteverde 

• Workshops/Activities:  

  • Water quality monitoring citizen scientist project participation 

  • Reforestation activity 

  • Food security and sustainable food production activity 

  • From-farm-to-table cooking class 

  • Enhancing public spaces community-service activity 

• Hikes: 

  • Base of Arenal Volcano to old lava flow  

  • Natural history of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve 

  • Cloud forest to premontane rainforest on the Caribbean slope 

  • Night hike 

  • Sendero Pacífico 

• Walking tour with local organization focusing on water management and urban sustainability (San José) 

• Overnight stay at San Gerardo Field Station / Children’s Eternal Rainforest  

• Hydroelectric power plant tour 

• Visits to coffee farms and a carbon negative dairy farm 

• Boat tour of sustainable fishery in Costa de Pájaros 

• Non-credit Spanish language classes (offered at various levels from beginner to advanced) 

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 are charged the Part-time Rate for Non-Matriculated Students per credit hour of enrollment based on their state of permanent residency.

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.