Summer Studies in Costa Rica

A group of Tulane students will be heading to Costa Rica in June for five weeks of classes on environmental ecology and political science within a thriving reservoir of Latin American culture.

Since 2002, the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane has hosted the international study program.

Costa Rica is a nation known for its ecological wealth as well as its prominent presence in international affairs. From June 6 through July 9, the country will serve as the postcard-like backdrop while students learn and live within the Centro de Investigacion y Adiestramiento Político Administrativo, located minutes from downtown San Jose.

"The program offers six full credits in environmental and social sciences that could help advance students along their career path," says Ludovico Feoli, executive director of the Center for Inter-American Policy and Research, who serves as program director.

One course, "Climate Change, Biodiversity and Tropical Forests," focuses upon ecology and the evolutionary biology of Costa Rica's flourishing environment.

"Students will be able to experience the biodiversity, which is extraordinary and has made the country a world leader in ecotourism and environmental conservation," says Feoli.

Courses will be complemented with field visits "not limited to the natural environment," says Feoli. In the second course, "Governments of Central America and the Caribbean," students will visit political institutions, such as the Congress, the Constitutional Court or the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Students also will have opportunity to expand their horizons through adventurous activities in their downtime, including whitewater rafting, canopy tours, zip-lining, surfing and hiking.

The deadline is April 19 to join the program, one of several summer programs offered by the Stone Center for Latin American Studies.

Mary Cross is a senior majoring in communication at Tulane.