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...
Sustainable Global Stewardship
This program provides an in-depth, hands-on learning experience in Costa Rica, as well as a field excursion to Nicaragua. Because the curriculum is extremely interdisciplinary in nature (and no Spanish is required), the program is suitable for all majors. Twelve (12) academic credits are provided through Humboldt State University (HSU) in California, or through the University of San José (USJ) in Costa Rica, with an additional three (3) credits of directed study available by special arrangement. All courses are taught in English with the exception of the Spanish courses, which will include practical application of the language.
In addition to time spent in the classroom in San Ramón, the Spring semester
program includes substantial field study in the region. This educational
travel typically includes the following:
• Day-long and multiple-day field trips to appropriate sites in Costa Rica
(e.g., sustainable businesses, organic farms, watershed conservation sites,
renewable energy projects, private reserves, national parks, volcanoes,
community ecotourism projects).
• An extended field excursion (typically four days) in Southwestern Nicaragua
(e.g., Rivas, Managua, Masaya, Granada); including extensive field study,
cultural events, and volunteer work.
• Volunteer service-learning work at selected field study sites. Possible
sites include, but are not limited to, the following: Organic agriculture,
sustainable businesses, environmental education, social work, environmental
conservation, ecotourism, and housing construction for low-income families.
See our summer program: Deep Ecology & Sustainable Living
Learn more at: Earth Education International
Program Dates
Mid Feb - Mid - April, every year
Program Costs
approx. $8000. Program fee includes: tuition (12-credits), all accommodations, most meals, in-country transportation, excursions, permits & entry fees, and travel insurance. It does not include international airfare, visa costs, or personal spending money.
Credit Offered
Humboldt State University (HSU)
San Jose University (USJ)
HSU: Natural Resource Planning & Interpretation
[NRPI] 480/580 (graduate credit available).
USJ: Educación para Desarrollo Sostenible (BE 120)
Sustainability & Service-Learning: synthesis of principal
concepts associated with sustainable development. Emphasis on global-local
connections in Costa Rica/Central America, as well as individual integration
of sustainable living practices. Includes lecture and discussion, as well
as field study and volunteer service-learning work in community development,
conservation, social work, and/or other areas as appropriate. No prerequisite,
but successful completion of an introductory environmental studies, global
systems, community development or related course highly recommended (3 cr.).
HSU: Natural Resource Planning & Interpretation
[NRPI] 480/580 (graduate credit available).
USJ: Ecología y Evolución (EDB 010)
Environment & Conservation in the Tropics: an overview
of environment and conservation in the tropics, with emphasis on Costa Rica.
Fundamental principles of ecosystems, biological diversity, conservation,
restoration, environmental services, and human impact. Includes lecture,
class discussions based upon assigned readings, and field study (3 cr.).
No Prerequisite.
HSU: Ethnic Studies [ES] 480/680 (graduate credit
available).
USJ: Educación Sociedad y Cultura (BE 116)
Costa Rican Culture Immersion: exploration of Costa Rican
society and culture: Foundations, behaviors, and patterns. Includes thematic
explorations, guided cultural immersion, contrast of regional & home-culture
variations, and practical ethnographic field work. No prerequisite.
HSU: World Languages and Cultures [WLC] 120
USJ: Español Básico y Laboratorio Pedagógico (BE 105)
*Elementary Conversational Spanish: an intensive introductory
Spanish course for students with little or no previous experience. Emphasis
is on oral practice of themes used in everyday activities in order to provide
the skills needed to communicate effectively in various aspects of the host
culture on a day-to-day basis. No prerequisite.
HSU: World Languages and Cultures [WLC] 120
USJ: Español y Laboratorio Pedagógico II (BEE 128)
*Intermediate Spanish: an intensive intermediate Spanish
course for students who have recently completed at least one-year of college-level
Spanish. Emphasis is on review of vocabulary and sentence structure, as
well as oral practice. Prerequisite: One year of college Spanish, instructor
approval required.
HSU: Natural Resource Planning & Interpretation
[NRPI] 499
**Directed Study - Individual research/study project. Prerequisite: Junior
or senior standing (special approval required).
NOTES:
* Participants will enroll in one level of Spanish, depending on their experience
level, unless they are advanced Spanish speakers.
**Optional additional or substitute course, approval required.
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Program Details:
Accommodations
All accommodations are included in the program fee. Accommodations in San Ramon are home stays with Costa Rican families. Accommodations at home stays include 3 meals a day. Accommodations while traveling range from guest house bunks, to permanent tent camps and research stations, and hotels each with (or without) amenities. Students should bring their own linens and pillow.
Transportation
All program related in-country transportation is included in the program fee.
Excursions
All excursions are included in the program fee. Includes: one-day and multiple day field excursions (organic farms, sustainable businesses, watershed conservation projects, etc), extended field excursion (Nicaragua), and volunteer service-learning projects.
Highlights
Costa Rican culture, sustainable living, Nicaragua
