ON THIS PAGE Description Itinerary Preparations Course Fee & Application

	A typical rain forest reserve we visit during the course.

Description
An interdisciplinary synthesis of environmental issues within the broader context of globalization. Emphasis on local sustainability efforts in Costa Rica/Central America, and associated global-local connections. Specific topics include: Sustainable community development, free-trade, agriculture & land use, renewable energy, and environmental conservation/restoration of tropical ecosystems. The course includes lectures, discussion, group activities, volunteer service-learning work, and associated field trips to sustainable businesses, organic farms, watershed conservation sites, renewable energy projects, private reserves, national parks, and/or community ecotourism projects. No prerequisite is required, but successful completion of an introductory Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Global Systems, or related course is highly recommended. Applicant selection will consist of evaluation of both academic requirements and personal qualities necessary for the success and safety of the program as indicated on the Admission page. Students who successfully complete this course will receive 3 units of undergraduate academic credit as ENVS/GEOG 301: 'International Environmental Issues & Globalization' from Cal Poly Humboldt (see tentative syllabus for details). This course fulfills upper division General Education requirement in Area D for California State University campuses, and satisfies one requirement for the Environmental Studies and Environmental Science options at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Itinerary
This course will be based in the town of San Ramón, and include visits to the nearby Tilaran mountain range, the Northern plains surrounding the Arenal Volcano, and the Central Pacific coast. Time will also be spend volunteering at different sites we will visit. Academics will include lectures from local experts, group discussions, and extensive field study. Possible site visits include local university facilities and laboratories, a woman's health care cottage industry, organic farms, a hydroelectric power plant, a water conservation and reforestation project, a community ecotourism project, a biological marine station, a medicinal plant farm, an artisanry workshop, and a local hot springs visit. Field activities typically include interpretative tropical forest hikes, night field activities, work on an organic farm, and reforestation/restoration work. Please note that participants much be prepared for hiking in tropical environments, and have required field study items with them at all times. Housing conditions will vary from multiple-occupancy rustic field station rooms to middle-range ecolodges and hotels. Participants will also have a limited amount of personal time, both in the city (e.g., shopping, museums) and in nature. The tour will be facilitated by Earth Education International staff, in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt faculty. Selected photos from previous years are available in the MediaBlog and sample field study videos on our YouTube channel. A tentative itinerary is also available (final version available upon arrival).



Participant Preparations
This section is provided to assist in preparing participants for this course. Properly preparing yourself will allow you to get the most out of the experience, and allow us to facilitate a safe and enjoyable learning experience for all. Thus, please review the following information and appropriate links to other sections of this web site:

1. General Information
A wealth of information is available on this web site in order to assist you in preparing. The table of contents for this information is on the Participants page. In particular, the In-Country Information page includes information on what things cost in Costa Rica, local foods, banking, shopping, relevant Spanish vocabulary, and the like. Links to additional information about the country are also provided for your convenience. We strongly suggest that you peruse that information as appropriate to acquaint yourself with conditions on the program, and in Costa Rica, well before departure. This will allow you to get the most out of your time here.

2. What to Bring
Detailed general information on what to bring on your trip can be found in the Packing section of the 'Preparation' page. There you will find lists of appropriate items to bring, as well as recommendations for packing & traveling. PLEASE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SECTION B AND C: Required Field Study & Health Protocol Items (covid-19 related). For both logistical and safety reasons each participant will be expected to have those required items with them upon arrival. When packing clothes, please note that it is NOT necessary to bring enough for your entire stay. Participants will be able to wash clothes every few days during the course (at their own cost). In addition to general items, please note that enclosed shoes will be required for certain field visits and hikes (tennis shoes OK-open shoes, sandals or flip flops are NOT).

3. Program Policies
Please review the program Policies and Health Protocols sections in detail. You will be held accountable to those policies during your visit, and required to sign a Participation Agreement form agreeing to abide by them.

4. Arrival in Costa Rica
Upon arrival at the San José (SJO) airport, it is recommended to change about $30 (~20,000 colones) (to at least cover day 1 lunch & dinner) if traveling with cash. If using an ATM to get local currency, one is available in the baggage claim area. Because the exit from the airport can be hectic at times, it can be difficult to find each other upon arrival. Thus, when you exit from the terminal, turn immediately to your RIGHT, and walk down the sidewalk past the pay phones, benches, and glass doors to the 'Deli Malinche'. We will meet you there. To assist with identification, see Dr. Karian's picture here. In case of any problems, difficulties or delays, we can be reached on our cell phone at 8812-7766 (preceded by 011-506 from the U.S.A.). If necessary, this can be dialed from a courtesy phone at one of the rental car agencies inside the airport PRIOR to exiting. NOTE: You cannot re-enter the airport once you have exited for any reason.

Course Fee & Application
The regular comprehensive fee for the course is approximately $2,473 (exact fee TBD), payable to Cal Poly Humboldt. However, current undergraduate students enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt may be eligible for a fee offset for part of tuition & insurance, reducing the comprehensive fee to appriximately $2,100. The fee includes most expenses associated with the course, including academic credit, health insurance, in-country transportation and lodging, entrance fees, some meals (1+ meals per day), and logistical & emergency support. NOT INLCUDED in the fee is international airfare, course materials, some meals, or any personal expenses. A breakdown of estimated course fees is available on the budget sheet page. Opportinities are available to partially offset course costs through scholarships, financial aid, student loans or fundraising. For more information, see costs.

Additional information on Cal Poly Humboldt logistics related to this course is available by contacting the on-campus professor in charge of the course. Click here for contact information. If you would like additional information related to in-country aspects of this course, you may contact us directly. Application to this course is to be completed online here by the application deadline of 7 February, 2025.

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