Sustainable Development in Costa Rica

• Study tropical forest destruction and preservation in these distinct regions of Costa Rica.
• Examine projects working to improve the lives of Costa Ricans while living in their communities.
• Debate the historical and contemporary impact of the multinational fruit companies while meeting in the banana fields with workers and managers.
• Study the influence of outside powers at the hacienda where the 19th century interventionist William Walker was defeated by Central Americans.
• Talk with members of indigenous communities while living in accommodations they have developed as new sources of income.
• Analyze the potential and dangers of eco-tourism along the Pacific coast as well as in the high cloud forests of the internationally renowned Monteverde Reserve.

The concept of sustainable development unifies all of these topics. Preserving natural resources for future generations requires that Costa Ricans enjoy an adequate standard of living now. In turn, sustaining adequate living standards depends upon the way society manages its resources. Understanding the complexity of this relationship between living standards and resource use requires an interdisciplinary approach.

The Academic Design and Emphasis

Throughout the summer program students read and discuss topical material in seminar fashion and work on group projects, as well as receive lectures from visiting experts. Students have the opportunity to meet and discuss sustainable development issues with Costa Rican policy makers, academics, professionals, peasants, entrepreneurs, and many others. Students will be examined on and prepare reports analyzing the issues facing the people and places they encounter and the solutions being attempted or proposed. Outside of the brief time in the Central Valley, the program is divided into three segments located in very different ecosystems: The dry lowlands of Guanacaste in the northwest, the mountain cloud forest of Monteverde, and the tropical lowland rainforest of the Caribbean coast.

Program Requirements and Living Conditions

This program is designed for serious students interested in rigorous academic work in the field. The program will not appeal to those looking only for an opportunity to travel abroad, who do not enjoy living, at times, under austere conditions, or who have difficulty handling the unexpected. You should be prepared for very busy days that start early and end late. There is not a lot of "down time" on this program. You may want to check out the syllabi from the summer 2005 program.

Also, you should be aware that the program requires a lot of walking under sometimes demanding conditions, so participants must be in good physical condition. Medical care in Costa Rica is good; however, we often will be far from major medical centers.

This program, like all study abroad programs is not for everyone, but, if you enjoy meeting many different kinds of people in their natural living conditions, seek more than easy answers, want to learn and to experience different ecosystems up close, then this program may be for you.

The program is open to all students; however, preference is given to qualified students of member colleges of the Associated Colleges of the South. The maximum number we can accept is 15. Because of the personal and academic maturity required by living and studying complex issues abroad, preference will be given to rising juniors and rising seniors. We recommend that, if possible, students have had at least one year of Spanish.

The director for the program is Barry Allen, Professor of Environmental Studies at Rollins College. He and other professors from ACS schools provide the on-site instruction and direct the program. The cost for the program is approximately $3,350 depending upon the number of students (Once enrollment has been completed, students will be informed of the precise costs.) Cost of travel to and from Costa Rica is not included in the course fees. All other costs, such as tuition, room, board, ground transportation, and admissions to events and national parks are included.

For more information contact:

Barry Allen
Chair Dept. of Environmental Studies
Rollins College
407-646-2647 (phone)
407-646-2364 (fax)
ballen@rollins.edu

OR

Rollins College
Office of International Programs
1000 Holt Avenue - 2759
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-646-2466 (phone)
407-646-2595 (fax)
intprog@rollins.edu

What to Bring