Environmental & Cultural Odysseys

Sustainable Student Travel

Od-ys-sey: [od - uh - see].
1. a long wandering and eventful journey with adventures. 2. An intellectual or spiritual quest: an odyssey of discovery...

Facilities and Consortia Partners

African ElephantEcoAbroad offers some of the most unique & specialized international education programs around. Our "Odysseys" place an emphasis on conservation, community, tourism and sustainable development in several of the World's most stunning countries. ANYONE can take part (and earn credit) in our hands-on programs through Costa Rica, Panama, South Africa, and the Virgin Islands.

 

St. Croix, USVI

The Farm Institute is located on 200-acres of rolling green hills and valleys nestled in the highlands of the northwest corner of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Work began in February 2003 on the orchards, gardens, and construction of the school infrastructure, and has slowly evolved from neglected farm and pasture land into a budding permaculture development where the natural environment is the most dominate feature. The gardens are now lush with perennial greens and vegetables, the orchards are filled in and fruiting, and the windbreaks and swales are responding to inclement weather. Additionally, the Farm is proud to be certified organic by the USDA and has completed all benchmarks for the coveted Green Globe Certification. With our sustainability indicators in place we are the only farm enterprise in the world awarded both accolades.

 

 

Costa Rica

Playa Jaco - Spanish, Surf, Art & Photography: Since 1997 the School has been providing travelers from around the world a unique and innovative option to language and surf school programs. Located in bustling beach town of Playa Jaco in the central Pacific region of Costa Rica, the School is centrally located near restaurants, shops, entertainment, and the beach. The School was designed by Zach McDuffie and is truly a piece of art showcasing his and local artisian pieces, a natural garden (located inside the school), classrooms, suites, a communal kitchen, and social areas. It is a paradise indeed.

 

San Ramon - Global Stewardship/Sustainable Living: The principal program site is the centrally located town of San Ramón, Costa Rica. Here, students will be accommodated by local families in a home stay. San Ramon is situated in an agricultural region at the western edge of the Central Valley at an elevation of 1,000 meters (3,500 feet) above sea level. The city retains the charm and tranquility of a small town within one hour of the capital city of San José. It has all basic services including markets, banks, social activities, public swimming pools, internet cafés, a mall with cinemas, and a large hospital. When in San Ramón, participants will have access to the facilities of the University of San José branch campus, where classes will meet. The photo below is a common example of field site accommodations.

 

Tropical Ecology & Organic Farming at Finca Carolina: UTSI’s field station is located at Finca Carolina in Uvita, Costa Rica. Finca Carolina is a 23 hectare nature reserve and organic farm that lies 3km from the township of Uvita. The center of Uvita is on the Pacific Coast Highway and has a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes with high speed internet available. The finca is surrounded on one side a by a large tract of nationally protected forest (1,000 ha) and by a large (350 ha) private nature reserve on the other side of the pristine Ballena river. The valley in which Finca Carolina lies boasts a very high level of biodiversity, which fuels UTSI to study, catalogue, and conserve this natural treasure.

 

 

Panama

Soposo Rainforest Adventures is located in the province of Bocas del Toro in the northwestern corner of Panama, near the border of Costa Rica.

The site of Soposo Rainforest Adventures borders both La Amistad International Park and the proposed Naso comarca (reservation). Although the lush, tropical setting will feel very remote, Soposo Rainforest Adventures is surprisingly accessible. Many travelers on their way from Costa Rica to the beautiful Caribbean islands of Bocas Del Toro will find that Soposo Rainforest Adventures is conveniently located between the two and worthy destination in it's own right. Once in Changuinola, you will be met by a friendly and helpful representative of Soposo Rainforest Adventures who will escort you on a half hour taxi ride to the small riverside town of El Silencio, where the dugout canoe will be waiting to bring you up to Soposo Rainforest Adventures.This last leg of the journey is the beginning of your experience in the beautiful rainforests of the Naso area. The half hour boat trip takes you up the Teribe River through some lovely riverside scenery to arrive at Soposo Rainforest Adventures. Soposo Rainforest Adventures is also accessible by crossing the Teribe River in El Silenco and walking three miles.

 

 

South Africa

Our South African programs begin and end in the large metropolitan city of Johannesburg. Programs spend several days in and around J-berg and Pretoria, but a majority of time will be spent visiting local villages, game preserves, and national parks. The program takes place in the bush - we will stay in bunk houses, permanent tent-camps, and camp in the bush throughout some of the most pristine areas in the country.