Costa Rica Field Course Info Session
Study in Costa Rica this Summer with Dr. Maggie Holland!
The Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems is leading an international field course to Costa Rica from June 1-15, 2014.
The second info session for the program will be February 18, 2014 from 3-4 PM in Sondheim 001 (basement- Cartography lab).
Course details: Sustainable Development & Conservation in Costa Rica
This course is offered as an upper-level GES special topics course (GES 400/600, 3 credits) and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students across any department at UMBC.
Lead instructor: Dr. Maggie Holland (GES, UMBC)
Co-instructor: Carlos Muñoz Brenes (U. Idaho & CATIE)
Mix of field research & service learning:
- Course intro workshop in San José
- 6-day visits to each of 2 conservation corridors in north-central Costa Rica - Lago Arenal & Monteverde regions
- Meet with community groups & gain experience in field research techniques: focus group discussions & participatory mapping
- Research focus: local perceptions of conservation priorities, successes & challenges
- Environmental service project in each corridor, designed by local corridor councils
- 2 field trip visits to Volcán Tenorio & Monteverde reserves
- Wrap-up workshop to synthesize fieldwork results
Course details:
- GES 400/600 Special Topics (3 credits)
- Upper-level undergraduate & graduate students
- Open to non-GES majors
- Spanish language skills highly desired (not required)
- Trip cost: ~$2,269-2,649, depending on # students enrolled (+ round-trip airfare: $500-600)
What we hope to offer UMBC students:
- A unique study abroad experience with an emphasis on applied research
- Direct interaction with rural communities engaging in sustainable development projects
- Opportunity to gain experience with specific research methods
- The chance to gain first-hand understanding of tropical biodiversity
- Gain a more nuanced appreciation for balancing the needs of development and conservation in a tropical rural setting
- (much more)
What we’re hoping students will bring to this experience:
- Energy & enthusiasm
- Ability to embrace adventure
- Interest in field research related to practical approaches to conservation
- Specific skills: GIS, previous qualitative or quantitative analysis experience, skills in digital storytelling, experience traveling, working or studying abroad
We are now accepting applications for this field course.Complete applications must be submitted to Admin 222/223 by March 10, 2014 for consideration for the program. There is a limit of 16 participants. Early application is strongly recommended.
You can download the application form here:
GES Field Course Costa Rica Application Summer 2014
Any questions?
Dr. Maggie Holland (GES) – mholland@umbc.edu
Katie Heird (IES) – kheird1@umbc.edu