A new study abroad program will be offered in Costa Rica this coming summer. The program will be run in collaboration with the School of Biology of University in Costa Rica. Participants in this program will be registered in two course: Natural History of Costa Rica and Ecology of Coastal Ecosystems. These courses will be taught by eminent Costa Rican scientist; Drs. Gerardo Avalos and Jorge Cortes, experts in ecology and marine biology, respectively.
The program will be based in the main campus of University in Costa Rica, but it has a strong field component that includes two weeks visiting two renown National Parks, the National Marine Research Laboratory, and other Biological Reserves. During the field trips students will engage in research activities to illustrate the principles of the topics covered in class. In addition, participants will learn the diversity of tropical land and coastal ecosystems, including the possibility of comparing marine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean.
In addition to learning about tropical biology, participant will experience the culture of this country through interactions with students from the University of Costa Rica. Unique cultural features of Costa Rica include being the oldest democracy in Latin America and one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t have an army.
For more information, contact: Dr. Oscar Rocha at orocha@kent.edu