Costa Rica Study Abroad

Summer 2026

Explore the Cloud Rainforest ecosystem with local guides. Plant trees to offset your carbon footprint and restore the rainforest. Cultural exchange with local high school students. Learn Spanish. Focus on sustainable development, conservation, protected areas, and renewable energy.

Host: Monteverde Institute
Program Dates: tbd
Application Deadline: tbd
Deposit Deadline: tbd
Earn 9-10 credits, including 9 in upper-level HASS

This six-week, faculty-led, study abroad program offers students the chance to learn about global sustainability practices as they are situated in the practical context of a rural community in the mountains of Costa Rica. Students will be immersed in Costa Rican culture and language, spending approximately five weeks in a homestay program with trusted local families. Learning will be balanced between classroom experiences, homework, and interactive field work.

The Monteverde Institute will provide Spanish language instruction, facilities, and local program coordination.

Students learn both by reading/discussing and by participating in daily Costa Rican life. They live with a host family for at least four weeks, plus 15 hours of classroom instruction in Spanish language, and participation in Costa Rican cultural activities, including cooking and dance. All levels of Spanish speakers from complete beginners with no prior Spanish to advanced Spanish speakers are welcome. Placement tests at the start of the program will determine student's study level. Students who elect to take the placement test in Spanish language upon returning to Michigan Tech, can earn back credits for courses they test out of (a good way to earn extra credits for your buck!). Earning back credits requires enrolling in an additional Spanish course at Michigan Tech upon return and earning grade of B or better.

Follow our adventures on the 2022 Costa Rica Student Blog.

Courses

Students register for 9-10 summer session credits (Track A) through Michigan Technological University and pay the associated tuition costs. Courses offered include: SS 3260 Latin American Cultural History, SS 3960 Cultural Immersion, SS 4390 Seminar in Sustainability, PE 0167/0267- Mindful Yoga, and PE 0175- Hiking in Costa Rica. All courses meet General Education requirements and meet major requirements for Social Sciences majors. Research or internship opportunities may also be available- contact instructor if you are interested.

SS 3960 Cultural Immersion

Generally meets in classroom M-R 2 hours/day.

Cultural immersion in the Costa Rican rainforest requires students to learn about live in, and contribute to the Monteverde community. Students will learn about how the Monteverde community works with the tourism industry and researchers to help maintain a sustainable ecosystem. The class will require students to live with Costa Rican families, practice Spanish, and engage in service learning to understand local social, environmental, and economic dynamics.

Course Description

SS 3960 - Cultural Immersion

Course designed for students on supervised study abroad or exchange programs in which they investigate and report on cultural patterns and behaviors.

Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

SS 4390 Seminar in Sustainability

Field Trip based, total of 12 hours in classroom setting.

This practice and discussion-based class focuses on Costa Rica's efforts to be a global leader in sustainability. We'll focus on Costa Rica's environmental challenges and responses, including substantial attention to renewable energy, environmental and energy policy, water quality and quantity, urbanization, reforestation, ecotourism, food sovereignty, and conservation and protected areas. Weekly field trips allow students to study global environmental problems in the classroom, then experience Costa Rica's solution in practice. Review the 2022 syllabus.

Course Description

SS 4390 - Seminar in Sustainability

This seminar in sustainability topics will cover a rotating set of topics, depending on semester offering. Topics may include energy use, justice, pollution, green design, or regulations bearing on sustainability.

Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

SS 3260 Latin American Cultural History

Generally meets in classroom M-R 2 hours/day

This course examines Latin American culture, focusing on Costa Rica. The class will examine the sources and patterns of particular cultural traditions, while at the same time understanding the trajectory of social, political, and economic transformations. Particular attention will be paid to Costa Rica within the latin American context.

SS 3260 - Latin American Cultural History

This course examines the diverse, but interconnected, cultures of Latin America. The class will examine the sources and patterns of particular cultural traditions, while at the same time understanding the trajectory of social, political, and economic transformations throughout the region.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, in odd years
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Itinerary

Each week generally includes 4 days of courses/fieldwork in Monteverde, plus a field trip to another community. Review the daily itinerary from 2022 to get a sense for the opportunities we'll engage in.

Monday - Thursday
Time	Activity
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.*	SS 3960 Cultural Immersion
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.	Lunch
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.	SS 3260 Latin American Culture and History
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Break
3:30p.m. - 4:30 p.m.	SS 4390 Seminar in Sustainability

*One hour of spanish class for each student group, but timing varies by level. Beginners meet 9-10; Intermediate 10-11; Advanced 11-12.

Costs

2026 Program cost is yet to be determined, but should be around $3,500. Students pay a non-refundable deposit in the spring of 2026. Students then register for summer Track A credits with MTU and pay the associated tuition. Tuition will include a "lab fee" of the remaining amount. The deposit plus the lab fee cover the costs of the program in addition to the instruction (total program cost). This includes room and board (all food and lodging), travel expenses within country, field trip costs, health and travel insurance, and program administration. In addition, students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements and purchasing roundtrip airfare to Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica. Students are also required to pay airport exit fees ($29).

Support Study Abroad Costa Rica

Support Study Abroad in Costa Rica by donating here. Your contribution will help support study abroad scholarships for low-to-moderate income, first generation, and students of color to study sustainability in Costa Rica for five weeks while they earn 9 Michigan Tech credits that count towards their degree.

Study Abroad Information

Have questions about studying aboard? Your program leader can help you with your pre-departure. Here are some other resources that will help you with your visit:

Behavior, Expectations, and Accommodations

Students are expected to abide by the Michigan Tech student conduct code. There is zero tolerance for drug use. Violations will result in immediate expulsion from the program and no refund.

Michigan Tech has standard policies on academic misconduct and complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For more information about reasonable accommodation for or equal access to education or services at Michigan Tech, please call the Dean of Students Office, at 906-487- 2212 or follow the link above.

Financial Aid

You can cover all program costs with financial aid. To qualify, you must be enrolled in 12 summer credit hours.

You will receive 9 credit hours in Track A for this program. Michigan Tech students may enroll in 3 credit hours in Track B to achieve full-time status, or enroll in an additional 3 credit directed readings course with your program leaders while abroad. Please contact one of the program leaders if you’re interested in the directed readings option.

Consult with the Michigan Tech financial aid office or the financial aid office of your home university, if you are not a Michigan Tech student, for more information about how to fund your study abroad.

Health and Safety

Costa Rica has well respected health care and facilities with a life expectancy of 80 years. There are three health clinics and pharmacies in Monteverde. The Monteverde Institute has well defined emergency procedures to assist students with any sickness or emergency situation.

Reasonable precautions should be taken as in any area abroad. The program coordinator will assist you in finding the closest medical facilities.

Monteverde Institute Expectations

While visiting with our host institute please review the MVI Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct (page 23 of the handbook) to know what to expect and what is expected of you during your visit.