CIEE College Study Abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica

What I loved most about this program, besides the tight-knit community of students and professors who quickly became my friends, was how it simultaneously made me feel totally immersed in the forest, and totally safe and comfortable. During the field trips, every day brought a new adventure, a new activity or a new species to learn about. There is something magical about learning the natural history of a tree while standing under it, or pausing in writing down info on a species of millipede to let it crawl across your arm, or learning about a bat from the guy who discovered and named that species while he is literally holding it in front of you. You quickly develop the understanding that the world is your classroom, and realize that you need only to walk into the forest to discover something new and amazing. This program teaches you the beauty and value of tropical diversity, from the smallest intricate details to the largest complex interactions, not so much through lectures in the classroom, but by allowing you to live it every day.
Despite the deep immersion into tropical forests that this program provides, I never felt unsafe. Three meals per day were provided, along with any equipment and supplies we might need. The professors are experts in handling dangers in every area we visited, and their first priority is always the comfort and well-being of their students. I felt I could ask them for help with any problem I was having, and they would do as much as possible to help me. No issue was too small, and no baseline level of discomfort was assumed. Furthermore, they do their best to provide breaks and fun activities to keep spirits high.
I have so many memories from this trip that I will never forget, but one that especially comes to mind happened at the end of a full day of hiking. We were backpacking though the Children's Eternal Rain Forest, and after several days staying at an isolated shack in the forest, we were hiking out to a (somewhat) more densely populated area. There was only one trail, and so people had broken off to hike at their own paces, and I was walking alone. Suddenly I heard a rustling from above and looked up to see a troop of spider monkeys passing through the canopy. A few paused to look at me and drop a stick or two before moving on. I was struck at this moment by how truly remarkable this program was. Feelings of discovery and wonderment, of self-confidence and peace flowed through me at that moment, as I stood there with everything I owned on my back, looking up at this amazing creature I had so causally stumbled across. I remained in that spot, with what I'm sure was a stupid smile on my face, long after the troop had passed.
I went to Costa Rica looking for adventure and a break from my normal routines. On this trip I found those things, but also so much more: vast stores of knowledge on subjects I would never have otherwise studied, exposure to new cultures and ways of life, a passion for ecology, friendships forged strong on long hikes through the jungle and late nights clustered around the guitar, beautiful vistas, invigorating swims, sunsets, waterfalls, huge trees with life draped across every branch all shrouded in Monteverde mist. If you are a lover of biology and the beauty of our natural world, or even if you think you might like to become one, do yourself a favor and take this trip. I promise it will be unforgettable.

If you study ecology or biology then there's no reason you shouldn't do this program. You learn so much about the tropics and ecology in general. The professors are the best I've ever had and they have set up the program in the best possible way, a third of the trip is spent on field trips! No reason not to do this program. I not only saw countless plants and animals but I learned all about their biology. Additionally the independent research project was a great way to get experience and the professors do a great job teaching you how to do research.

I had never travelled outside of the United States before and Costa Rica was the perfect place to begin my travels. Not only did I learn about the culture, the course itself was very insightful and I gained a lot of knowledge from it. The professors for the course were phenomenal. They really cared about the students and made sure we felt comfortable and were having fun the entire time. This program and the people in it changed my life. I don't regret anything and I appreciate everything they provided for me. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in the Costa Rican culture and learning how to live sustainably!

My semester in Monteverde will forever be imprinted in my memories as the happiest phase of my life (yet). Our family-sized group challenged each other physically (with our extensive, educational and majestic hikes) and mentally (through papers, research, and species recognition). Our professors and program managers made campfire songs, dinners on the town, and beach days regular events that rewarded our hard academic periods. My photographs are especially colorful with the authentic smiles of my classmates in the foreground of palms, ferns, colorful fruits and birds. This program emphasized practical, hands-on outside learning, which meant that we got to tour Costa Rica in a respectful way while gaining real experience and expertise. I now have a great understanding of the scientific research process, and this has helped me in college and beyond! I now also have refined camping and hiking skills, a vast understanding of the Costa Rican landscape, lifelong friends and the best memories I could ask for. I could not critique this program in any way even if I thought long and hard

Studying tropical ecology and conservation abroad in Costa Rica was without a doubt the best summer of my life and one of my most meaningful experiences. From my highly knowledgeable, supportive, and engaging teachers, to the beautiful native ecology of Costa Rica, to the delicious food we ate and cultural awareness we came away with, this was an incredible experience. I could not think of a better study abroad program than this one--it's focus on learning in the field, rather in the classroom, made this is a truly once in a lifetime experience that I learned so much from.

I woke up to the deep guttural yell from a Howler Monkey in a nearby palm tree. As I unzipped out of my tent, I instantly felt the warm sun greeting me. I stepped out onto a isolated sandy beach, and gazed out watching the ocean waves roll in. As I looked to the other side, nothing but a wall of green- plants of all new varieties to me danced before my eyes. This was only day 5 of what was to be a semester long study abroad experience and I just sat there in a dream state for a moment. I was snapped out of it when I heard "Miguelito! Breakfast, come on!" from my new friend and teaching assistant, and I knew in that instant, that my life would never be the same after this semester.

Memories of moments like these flood me when I recollect on my study abroad experience in Costa Rica through the CIEE - Tropical Ecology and Conservation program. Although based in Monteverde ( a serene cloud forest town high in the mountains near the continental divide), this program took us around the whole country traveling by foot, boat, and bus. From the beautiful tropical forest in Parque Nacional Corcovado (which is where the above described memory occurred) to dry forests in Santa Rosa, to the Caribbean coast watching sea turtles laying their eggs, this program gets you up close and personal with life to the fullest. It is a biologists, ecologists, or any lover of life's dream. Beyond this you learn about the human dimension- culture, farming, coffee, cacao, socioeconomic issues, development, sustainability, food, food and food!

To be quite honest, I had no expectations going into the program. When I reflect on the CIEE- Tropical Ecology and Conservation program I could go on and on about the incredible education, cultural immersion, soul-shaking experience that this semester was but I want to share with you something that sets it apart from the others. And this has to do with the way the program as a whole is structured. Instead of a study abroad experience where you go to a different country maybe get set up with a host family, attend a local university, meet a few new friends nearby, the CIEE TE & C program sets you up with a family. (Yes 1 month is spent living with a Costa Rican host family and it is awesome) What I mean by this, is because the way the program is structured, you are exploring, learning, laughing with the same 30 or some classmates and instructors every single day! Yes there is plenty of space for solo time, but by the end of the semester, the group that began as strangers has formed into a tight- knit family from shared experiences and this family stays. Four years after the program and I am still keeping in touch with my classmates and faculty that now live all over the world and are continuing to be incredible humans and doing awesome things.
If you are on the fence about which study abroad program to consider, I would like to leave you with this. If you are ready to: dive in with your whole being to a life changing experience, ready to learn more in 4 months than many do in 4 years at other universities, excited to wake up every day and experientially learn through place-based learning, and to be apart of a new family then the CIEE - Tropical Ecology and Conservation program is for you!
Please feel free to contact with questions.
Peace,
Michael

Going to Costa Rica with CIEE was one of the best and most challenging things I have ever done. From the moment I arrived, everybody on the trip felt like close friends and we all had so much fun together. The teachers were amazing and aren't afraid to have fun with the students. The first two weeks you travel around the country and go to some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. You also won't recognize your body because of all the bug bites and blisters you'll get, but it's worth it! The hikes are hard but not impossible, just be prepared for wet feet and long days.

Each trip Alan, the main instructor, has a concert at the local bar and that is the most fun I have ever had at a bar. Two students didn't go my year and said it was one thing they regretted about the trip. Monteverde is a really cute town with hiking easily accessible. There's only two main bars though, so if you're looking to party while you study abroad, this might not be the trip for you. However, the teachers do provide beer and rum at all of our hangouts and we definitely made our own parties at the research station where we stay.

The coursework was hard and felt stressful at times, they're cramming a semesters worth of information into 10 weeks, but it all got done and now I know how many scientific names I can memorize in a week. The research project we design was challenging but one of the most rewarding projects to ever come out of my college career, and now I have something to show people at job interviews.

Overall, this was the most fun summers of my life, and I highly recommend this trip to everybody!

This program is fantastic. From exploring the tropical rainforest to the experiential learning model they use to the fun-loving and open community, everyday there was something new to learn. It’s crazy how many things they packed into three and a half months!

My favorite part of the whole program was the experiential learning model they employed and the fact that were we literally learning about the place we were in. Class time was often spent hiking through absolutely gorgeous forests (fun fact: for some reason we don’t call tropical rainforests “the woods”, everyone says “the forest”). Anytime we saw an animal, plant or anything interesting we would stop and discuss the species, their distribution, what they ate, etc. and relate it to what we were studying at the time. We also did this in our “humans in the tropics” class by going to palm oil plantations and farms. These Costa Rican forests were the most diverse ecosystems I'd ever seen at that point - it was not difficult to see animals at all. I'd see monkeys, frogs, coatis, birds, insects and more on the daily. For me, a student who learns best by vocal, physical and social avenues, this was a fantastic system and I still think about many of the lessons I learned during those classes.

The instructors are another awesome part of the program: they are fun-loving and very open to helping the students. Among the professors and TAs, you’ll have about 5-6 people with a wide breadth of knowledge about Costa Rican ecology and conservation. The classes and independent project are rigorous undertakings but it is definitely do-able with their assistance and support (and so satisfying to complete too!) If I had a question, they would be down the hall or simply an email away.

The homestay was something that brought the entire experience into perspective. Monteverde is a very touristy town, but the homestay made us feel like we were part of the community rather than just observers passing through. I got to know local tico(a)s and their stories, I celebrated birthdays with my host family and I even shared my culture by leading an Indian classical dance workshop through this completely serendipitous connection I had with the owner of a local yoga studio. I’d say the best part was bonding with my host mom and getting to learn all the secrets to traditional Costa Rican cooking (I still make gallo pinto at home with a healthy dose of Lizano!)

And lastly this whole experience was just plain FUN. It was definitely a theme running through the whole program. All the new experiences, rigorous classes and backpacking trips created a very intimate environment where you can really bond with the people you’re with. My cohort that year became a sort of family away from home. We’d go on hikes together, go on bungee jumping adventures, help each other with projects and more. This intimate setting was a big part of why I chose this program.

Coming into the program I knew I loved biology but I was headed towards a career in medicine. After going to Costa Rica and learning about tropical species, ecology, and conservation I switched gears and never looked back. I ended up coming back to Costa Rica to do research after I graduated and now I’d call myself a conservation biologist! Even if a career shift isn’t in your future, this program is great opportunity to put the curiosity back into learning and give you another lens through which to view the world. I’d highly recommend this program!!!

Thanks Alan, Kathy, Johel, Bronco, Moncho and Maricela!