Travel-Study Program to: Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Coast to Coast via Human Power
Term To Be Offered: January 5-20, 2009 (approximate)
Contacts:
Bruce Guillaume | 981-8125 | bruce.guillaume@maryvillecollege.edu | Mountain Challenge
Rebecca Lucas | 981-8107 | Rebecca.lucas@maryvillecollege.edu | Division of Education
Course goals:
- To experience and gain a better understanding of Costa Rican culture.
- To travel across the country - from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean coast – by way of bicycling, trekking, and paddling.
- To see Costa Rica’s genuine sustainability and ecotourism efforts in order to enhance environmental awareness.
Course Description:
Costa Rica in Central America is one of the most biodiverse nations on the planet. The variety of ecosystems and unique environmental features of this country has transformed the Costa Rican economy; inspired and influenced its artistic development in both form and content; impacted its cultural roots, and put local Costa Ricans (“ticos”) on the global map as a nation committed to ecological based tourism and sustainable design and development. Participants on this trip will experience the Costa Rican countryside up close and personal.
This trip aims to accomplish 2 major goals. First, promoting wellness is high on the college’s priority list. We hope to make progress in this area. Participants will need to be in good general physical condition to enjoy this trip. Thus, pre-trip training and general attention to wellness issues will be important, and will be included in pre-departure preparation. People should know that this is not an X-Game, Eco-Challenge, Survivor experience. This trip will require a good all-round fitness level including a good, solid aerobic fitness base.
Second, enhancing environmental awareness is a major institutional emphasis. Costa Rica may be the best place in the world to see genuine sustainability efforts. Costa Rica has protected more land than any other country. Costa Rica leads the way in eco-tourism. Costa Rica is close to energy independence. Being in this environment (vs looking at this environment) is the best way to experience and understand these efforts.
Students will be expected to engage in real-time discussions, assignments, and maintain a both a written and photographic account of the program.
Highlights:
- Biking, trekking and paddling across Costa Rica
- Visit to Quepos, near Manuel Antonio National Park (on the Pacific Coast)
- San Gerardo de Dota – known for being the primary habitat for the Quetzal, Costa Rica’s national bird
- Talamanca mountains
- Pejiballe & Pacuare Rivers
- Banana Plantations
- Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean coast
Tentative Costs: $ 2900
The price includes:
Roundtrip airfare, local transportation, housing, most meals, field trips and administrative fees, international travel insurance, as well as application fee and deposit.
Not included:
Passport, immunizations, some meals, & personal expenses
