Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde Institute
The Monteverde Program is offered in coordination with the Monteverde Institute (MVI), named for the village in which it is located. The village of Monteverde is home to 250 residents and is located at the entrance to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. Cazenovia College students who participate in this 12-day program will study conservation, natural history, and sustainability of the rain forest and the people who live and work in this environment.

The town of Santa Elena, within walking distance of the Institute, has fabulous restaurants, grocery stores, and most amenities available.

Academic Information

Those who participate in the Monteverde Program remain registered Cazenovia College students and must enroll in SM/SB 255 ST: Society and Conservation in Costa Rica. This 12-day, 4-credit hour course will be offered in January 2014.

Classes and activities will be taken at MVI and will be conducted in English, however, successful completion of 1-credit hour of conversational Spanish is required to participate.

Courses taken during this program fulfill the Scientific Literacy General Education competency requirements.

Eligibility

Cazenovia College students who have completed at least 24 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above are encouraged to apply. Students with cumulative grade point averages of 2.75 – 2.99 may also apply and their applications will be reviewed.

Formalities

Cost
Estimated Costs: $2,300, which will include on-site transportation, lodging, meals, language instruction, entrance and guide fees associated with the course, and tuition.

Additional Costs: airfare, passport fees, the airport exit tax ($26.00), and travel insurance, as well as personal expenses.
Housing
Students participating in the Monteverde Program will live with host families.
Identification
Participating students will need a valid Passport.
Insurance
All participants are required to have international medical and hospitalization insurance that includes evacuation coverage.
Visas
United States citizens are not required to have a visa to travel to Costa Rica if the duration of the stay will be less than 3 months.

Resources

Monteverde Institute (MVI)
http://www.monteverde-institute.org
Telephone
From the U.S.: 011 44 1227 767700
From Costa Rica: 01227 767700
U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica
http://costarica.usembassy.gov/
Located at the intersection of Avenida Central and Calle 120 in the Pavas Section of San José

Street Address
Calle 120 Avenida 0
Pavas, San José
Telephone
From the U.S.: 011 506 2519 2000
From Costa Rica: 2519 2000