Study Abroad at EARTH
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So you want to go abroad…

● Looking for a destination that’s safe but never boring?

● Think it’d be cool to live in a tropical paradise?

● Hoping to learn or improve your Spanish?

● Passionate about sustainability and ethical entrepreneurship?

If you responded YES! (or ¡SÍ!) to any/some/all of these questions, keep reading!
We believe EARTH University in Costa Rica is the place for you.

We offer a wide variety of one-of-a-kind study programs, special courses and internships within the Costa Rican rainforest.

Overview

Choosing the right place to study (and explore) is crucial.

We think you’d really enjoy our safe, sustainable, 8,340-acre University in the heart of the tropical Costa Rican rainforest.

Here you can aprovechar (take advantage of) free time in our integrated organic farm, butterfly garden, experimental peri-urban farm, and medicinal garden. Enjoy a dash of adventure on the weekends? You’re always a short bus ride away from the zesty flavors of Caribbean beach life, the protected sea turtles of Tortuguero National Park, the natural majesty of the Arenal and Poas volcanoes, the vast wisdom of local indigenous peoples, the colorful arts culture of San José, and the comforting aromas of your caffeine fix at thriving coffee plantations.

At EARTH University, you can learn or improve your Spanish while also figuring out how to advance the sostenibilidad (sustainability) of our world. We’re not talking about sitting in a stuffy classroom all day, either. Here, we focus on active, hands-on, experiential learning to strengthen your education and propel social change. We offer a variety of programs, from language studies to internships – it’s easy to find the right one for you.

Academic Programs

PROGRAMS Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Integrated Study in Spanish
Sustainable Summer Sessions
Intern Abroad
Spanish Learning Courses
Integrated Study in Spanish

Duration: 15 weeks

Available start dates: January 13, May 4, August 31, 2020

Become fully integrated into the EARTH way of life for a semester, alongside our full-time undergraduate students from more than 40 countries across Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. You’ll take courses in environmental science, organic agriculture, sustainability, community development and Latin American studies, among others. 12 different course-load options are available.
Choose one of the following to start your rainforest adventure:

First Trimester

January 13-April 25, 2020

Option 1 - First Quarter

First Year Courses Group 1 & 2
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
CIE101 Introduction to Natural Sciences 3
COM109 Communication and Leadership 2
CUL101 Tropical Crops 3
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
HUM 106 Orientation to Student Life 0
IGA101 Operation of Agricultural Equipment 1
INF101 Computer Workshop 0
MAT105 Basic Skills in Mathematics I 2
ERS 103 Health and Recreation I 0
DESCOG Cognitive Skills 0
COM104 Spanish as Second Language 0
Total 13

Option 2 - First Quarter

First Year Courses Group 3 & 4
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
RCN 101 Ecological Bases for Natural Resource Management 3
COM109 Communication and Leadership 2
CUL101 Tropical Crops 3
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
HUM 106 Orientation to Student Life 0
IGA101 Operation of Agricultural Equipment 1
INF101 Computer Workshop 0
MAT105 Basic Skills in Mathematics I 2
ERS 103 Health and Recreation I 0
DESCOG Cognitive Skills 0
COM104 Spanish as Second Language 0
Total 13

Option 3 - First Quarter

Second Year Courses Group 1 & 2
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
EXP200 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
HUM203 Rural Development and Sustainable Communities 2
COM203 Applied Academic Writing 0
CUL203 Pest Control: Weeds 3
PRA201 Animal Reproduction and Lactation 3
ING201 Inglés 2
Total 12

Option 4 - First Quarter

Second Year Courses Group 3 & 4
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
EXP200 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
HUM203 Rural Development and Sustainable Communities 2
COM203 Applied Academic Writing 0
MAT 201 General Statistics 3
MAT 202 Calculation for Agricultural Sciences I 3
CIE 201 Applied Genetics 3
ING201 Inglés 2
Total 15

Second Trimester

May 4-August 15, 2020

Option 1 - Second Quarter

First Year Courses Group 1 & 2
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
COM110 Professional Communication 2
CUL102 Tropical Crops Production 3
COM105 Spanish as second language 0
ERS104 Health and Recreation II 0
ERS101 Health Promotion 2
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
MAT106 Basic Skills in Mathematics II 2
IGA102 Mechanical Skills 1
ING101 English 2
RCN101 Fundamentals of Ecological Management of the Resources of the Humid Tropics 3
Total 17

Option 2 - Second Quarter

First Year Courses Group 3 & 4
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
COM110 Professional Communication 2
CUL102 Tropical Crops Production 3
PRA101 Tropical Animal Production 3
ERS104 Health and Recreation II 0
ERS101 Health Promotion 2
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
MAT106 Basic Skills in Mathematics II 2
ING101 English 2
COM105 Spanish as second language 0
CIE101 Introduction to Natural Sciences 3
Total 19

Option 3 - Second Quarter

Second Year Courses Group 1 & 2
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
CIE201 Applied Genetics 3
CIE202 Inorganic Chemical Processes 3
MAT202 Calculus for Agriculture I 2
ING202 English 2
MAT201 General Statistics 3
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
Total 15

Option 4 - Second Quarter

Second Year Courses Group 3 & 4
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
CIE202 Inorganic Chemical Processes 3
CUL202 Pest Control: Diseases 3
ING202 English 2
CUL201 Pest Control: Entomology 3
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
Total 13

Third Trimester

August 31-December 4, 2020

Option 1

First Year Courses Group 1 & 2
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
COM111 Scientific Communicationn and Critical Thinking 2
CUL103 Tropical Crop Management 3
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
HUM105 Opportunities for Development and Equity 3
ING102 English 2
MAT107 Quantitative Skills for Agriculture Sciences 2
PRA101 Tropical Animal production 3
HUM107 Introduction to Student Life II 0
ERS105 Recreation and Health III 0
Total 17

Option 2

First Year Courses Group 3 & 4
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
COM111 Scientific Communication and Critical Thinking 2
CUL103 Tropical Crop Management 3
EXP100 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
HUM105 Opportunities for Development and Equity 3
IGA102 Mechanical Skills 1
ING102 English 2
MAT107 Quantitative Skills for Agriculture Sciences 2
HUM107 Introduction to Student Life II 0
ERS105 Recreation and Health III 0
Total 15

Option 3

Second Year Courses Group 1 & 2
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
CIE203 Organic, Chemical and Biochemical Processes 3
CUL201 Pest Control: Entomology 3
CUL202 Pest Control: Diseases 3
EXP200 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
ING203 English 2
ERS201 Health and Wellbeing 2
Total 15

Option 4

Second Year Courses Group 3 & 4
COURSE CODE COURSE CREDITS
CIE203 Organic, Chemical and Biochemical Processes 3
CUL203 Pest Control: Weeds 3
EXP200 Work Experience** 2
*Options: Tropical Crops – Integrated Organic Farm – Integrated Livestock Management – Forestry Farm – Community
ING203 English 2
PRA201 Animal Reproduction and Lactation 3
ERS201 Health and Wellbeing 2
Total 15

(Best for students with an intermediate-to-advanced command of the Spanish language and a love of sustainability!)

FeesApply

The cost per quarter is U.S. $9,513.00 and includes tuition, room and board, access to campus facilities, student services, excursions throughout the region and administrative fees. Airplane ticket, international health and travel insurance, personal expenses and any additional study abroad fees from your home institution are not included.

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Sustainable Summer Sessions

Duration: 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks or 10 weeks

Available start dates (course-specific): May, June and July 2020

This program offers five intensive courses, each exploring a unique approach to sustainability. You will gain access to projects and practices employed on EARTH University’s campus, as well as numerous notable sites throughout Costa Rica. During these 14-day courses, you have the opportunity to join international peers, research partners and renowned professors to learn about critical global sustainability issues. Courses involve lectures, participatory activities and field visits.

Interested students are encouraged to register for multiple course sessions.

Tropical Forest Carbon Management (May 10-23, 2020)

Tools for Protecting Rainforests and Mitigating Climate Change
Key questions: How can climate change science and carbon cycle science be used for sustainable forest management in tropical rainforests? How can carbon conservation and sequestration be used as sustainable development strategies in agroforestry? What are sustainable forest management practices, carbon markets and payments for eco-system services, and how are they uniquely operational in Costa Rica?
Course description: Through visits to three important rainforest ecosystems – coastal, upland and cloud forest – and a range of local agroforestry farms, you will explore the application of climate change and carbon cycle science to sustainable forest management in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. This course also introduces you to the concept of livelihoods from tree management systems, as well as poverty alleviation and sustainable development through agroforestry carbon management methods.
Field visits: FUNDECOR (Foundation for the Development of the Central Volcanic Range), jungle canopy, forest reserve, plantation, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero, lagoon and more.
FeesApplyDownload Syllabi
The cost for each course (two-week session) is U.S. $2,546.25 and includes tuition, room and board, access to campus facilities, student services, excursions throughout the region and administrative fees. Airplane ticket, international health and travel insurance, personal expenses and any additional study abroad fees from your home institution are not included.

Making Agriculture Sustainable (May 24-June 6, 2020)

Understanding Challenges and Finding Solutions
Key questions: How do different agricultural systems impact the local environment, society and economy? How can we recognize, measure and assess a sustainable agricultural system? How can we alter a current agricultural system to become sustainable?
Course description: Through visits to a multiple farms on the EARTH campuses in Guácimo and La Flor, as well as local banana, rice, mango, vegetable and organic farms in nearby communities, you will learn first-hand how several different agricultural systems impact the environment, society and economy – both negatively and positively. You will be exposed to and become familiar with a variety of tropical agricultural ecosystems within Costa Rican rural community contexts.
Field visits: Conventional pineapple plantation, USDA-organic pineapple plantation, banana plantation, biologic control center for citrus fruits, carbon-neutral dairy farm, industrial composting site, hot springs and more

FeesApplyDownload Syllabi

The cost for each course (two-week session) is U.S. $2,546.25 and includes tuition, room and board, access to campus facilities, student services, excursions throughout the region and administrative fees. Airplane ticket, international health and travel insurance, personal expenses and any additional study abroad fees from your home institution are not included.

Engaging Rural Communities (June 14-27, 2020)

Tools and Methodologies for Sustainable Development
Key questions: How can we identify and apply different paradigms of sustainable developments? How can different paradigms of sustainable development support us in identifying and resolving community issues? What are some of today’s most innovative experiments in local sustainable development, and how are they helping to resolve some of the most pressing community problems?
Course description: Through visits to local agricultural producers employing a range of approaches to sustainability, indigenous communities regenerating their long-standing approach to cacao production, and massive recent dam construction as a renewable energy source, you will learn how to interpret and critically assess diverse approaches to rural sustainable development through direct engagement and participation with local communities.
Field visits: small farmers in rural La Lucha and Santa Rosa, Ditsöwö u and Amubri Talamanca Bribri Indigenous communities, the Cacao Association in Puerto Viejo, La Argentina Women Association, Agro-ecotourism Association, “Reventazón” Hydroelectric Project and more

FeesApplyDownload Syllabi

The cost for each course (two-week session) is U.S. $2,546.25 and includes tuition, room and board, access to campus facilities, student services, excursions throughout the region and administrative fees. Airplane ticket, international health and travel insurance, personal expenses and any additional study abroad fees from your home institution are not included.

Tackling Environmental Issues (June 28 - July 11, 2020)

How to Measure, Manage and Mitigate Our Impact
Key questions: How can we critically evaluate the social and ecological impacts of environmental issues such as eco-tourism and treatments of solids and wastewater? How can we calculate CO2 emissions and relate this to different economic externalities? How can we measure, manage and mitigate the footprints that each of us has on Earth?
Course description: Through visits to local community farms, banana plantations, wastewater treatment plants, and eco-tourism sites along the Caribbean and Pacific oceans, you will explore different methodologies for evaluating sustainability and assessing the social and environmental impact of our actions as individuals and companies. You will have the opportunity to identify and directly assist in the development of decisions to control, mitigate, and compensate for the environmental and social impacts of businesses and individuals.
Field visits: banana packing plant, Tarcoles Crocodile River, Playa Azul, Isla Tortuga, wastewater plants, San José and more

FeesApplyDownload Syllabi

The cost for each course (two-week session) is U.S. $2,546.25 and includes tuition, room and board, access to campus facilities, student services, excursions throughout the region and administrative fees. Airplane ticket, international health and travel insurance, personal expenses and any additional study abroad fees from your home institution are not included.

Food, Energy and Water Systems (July 12- July 25, 2020)

Nexus in the background of climate change and the sustainable development goals.
Key questions: How can we understand the food, energy and water inter-relationships? How can we use the metrics that describe and quantify the relationships in the nexus, its sustainability and its resilience? How can we become comfortable with a suite of system analysis tools? How can we contextualize the nexus in the background of climate change and the sustainable development goals?
Course description: Costa Rica is a leader in sustainable development and an ideal setting for study in the Food/Energy Water Nexus. The program will introduce students to the basics of food, energy, and water systems and will progress into an in-depth analysis of the interconnected nature of these systems, and the associated environmental consequences.
Field visits: Biggest dam in Central America, Renewable Energy Lab, BioTech, homestays, Ad Astra Rocket Company, Geothermal Power Plant, Solar Farm, Wind Turbine Park.

FeesApplyDownload Syllabi

The cost for each course (two-week session) is U.S. $2,546.25 and includes tuition, room and board, access to campus facilities, student services, excursions throughout the region and administrative fees. Airplane ticket, international health and travel insurance, personal expenses and any additional study abroad fees from your home institution are not included.

Click to contact us

Intern Abroad

Duration: Minimum 4 weeks per focus area

Available start dates: You name it!

The internship program at EARTH University offers the opportunity to learn through hands-on, career-focused work experiences in four distinct focus areas:

Tropical Crops

Want to concentrate on sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics? You’ll learn about specific stages of production and available technologies, the correct methodology for responsibly using agricultural inputs, and other best practices of production and harvest.

Fees

The cost to participate for one month in the intern abroad program is $2607. This fee includes accommodation in a Student Residence, meals, internship placement, supervision and student services.

This cost does not includes airline tickets, airport pick-up, airport drop-off, personal expenses, and international medical insurance (mandatory). Additional costs for transportation and materials can be provided upon request.

Apply
Organic Agriculture

Here you’ll learn efficiency-promoting strategies while employing the techniques of the eco-friendly production gold standards – organic, biodynamic, bio-intensive and permaculture-style agroforestry. This biodiverse farm focuses on how these methods support health and wellbeing throughout the entire production chain. You’ll have the chance to work with crops such as cacao, bananas and plantains, while also learning about the many challenges organic producers face in Latin America and the tropics.

Fees

The cost to participate for one month in the intern abroad program is $2607. This fee includes accommodation in a Student Residence, meals, internship placement, supervision and student services.

This cost does not includes airline tickets, airport pick-up, airport drop-off, personal expenses, and international medical insurance (mandatory). Additional costs for transportation and materials can be provided upon request.

Apply
Integrated Livestock Management
Our animal husbandry operations are dedicated to tropics-adapted swine and cattle production. Spend time in our dairy operation, which supplies the ingredients for EARTH’s yogurt, milk and cheese production, while also learning about managing an operation that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. This internship includes study of careful animal waste treatment methods. At EARTH, most animal waste is set to local biodigesters, in turn producing gas to power generators.
Fees

The cost to participate for one month in the intern abroad program is $2607. This fee includes accommodation in a Student Residence, meals, internship placement, supervision and student services.

This cost does not includes airline tickets, airport pick-up, airport drop-off, personal expenses, and international medical insurance (mandatory). Additional costs for transportation and materials can be provided upon request.

Apply
Peri-Urban Agriculture
As the global population continues to concentrate in major metropolises, learning how to move food production to these areas has become key. This internship teaches you how to do a lot with a little – in other words, how to manage a thriving agricultural operation with limited access to water, nutrients and space. That means you will work on projects of vertical agriculture, floating-root systems, raised-bed production, recycling agriculture, aquacultures and more.
Fees

The cost to participate for one month in the intern abroad program is $2607. This fee includes accommodation in a Student Residence, meals, internship placement, supervision and student services.

This cost does not includes airline tickets, airport pick-up, airport drop-off, personal expenses, and international medical insurance (mandatory). Additional costs for transportation and materials can be provided upon request.

Apply

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Spanish Learning Courses

Duration: You name it!

Available start dates: You name it!

EARTH University’s Spanish Language Institute offers intensive language-learning courses as either a standalone study or as a supplement to any of our existing programs – they pair especially well with the internship abroad program, for example. These courses are small-group or one-on-one and thus can be tailored specifically to your needs. That means classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced language learners are all available. During your time on campus, you also will have many opportunities to get involved in University life and activities with our full-time students, along with visiting local communities and traveling to impressive destinations across Costa Rica!

Please check with us for cost information as this depends on the number of hours you wish-require to enroll in.

Apply

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We are a proud member of:

We are a proud member of: ISEPWe are a proud member of: The Forum on Education ABROADWe are a proud member of: OASWe are a proud member of: Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Additional Information

For all our programs, we offer:

  • Pre-departure information
  • On-site orientation
  • Courses on campus
  • Campus facilities
  • Housing in student dorms or campus hotel
  • Three meals a day in our student restaurant on campus
  • Airport transfer for groups
  • Cultural and social activities (sports, arts, music, etc.)
  • 24/7 medical- and campus security support
  • Apartment and workspace for faculty
  • Transcripts for EARTH taught courses
Scholarship Opportunity Study abroad with federal student aid

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