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Tropical Marine Biology Field Study
San Jose, Costa Rica
About the Program
Find yourself captivated by Costa Rica’s natural beauties and rich biodiversity! This program is designed for students of all language levels who are interested in exploring topics in Marine Biology in Costa Rica, a renowned leader in the field of environmental conservation. You’ll have the unique opportunity to build understanding of the region’s tropical characteristics, marine ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental issues through field trips and fieldwork.
Methodology includes online coursework that begins prior to travelling to Costa Rica and fieldwork once you arrive onsite.
Requirements
Overview
San Jose
12/7/20 - 1/21/21
$4,495
6
Deadlines
Closed
12/1/20
Requirements
Eligibility
High School Graduate
2.6
All Levels
Where You'll Study
Veritas University
Since its founding in 1976, Veritas University has become one of the most highly recognized private universities in Latin America. Not only is Veritas fully accredited by the Costa Rica Ministry o...
Veritas University
Since its founding in 1976, Veritas University has become one of the most highly recognized private universities in Latin America. Not only is Veritas fully accredited by the Costa Rica Ministry of Education, but it is also a member of the College Consortium for International Studies and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
With approximately 2,000 students, 500 of whom are international, Veritas University is located in the eastern part of the city (Zapote), ten minutes from downtown San José and only one kilometer from the Casa Presidencial. The school offers a complete range of subjects and a great variety of cultural, artistic, and athletic activities.
The university’s spacious campus is equipped with modern facilities, including several computer labs and a well-maintained library. CEA CAPA offers a practical and well-organized Spanish language program, led by a highly trained and experienced staff of university professors.
Credit Transfer Information
CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations are based on the following conversion: 15 contact hours equals 1 U.S. credit. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Students receive a transcript from Veritas University upon successful completion of the program. The transcript reflects the contact hours per course.
Accreditation
Ranked among Costa Rica’s top 10 universities, Veritas is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and is a member of the College Consortium for International Studies and NAFSA.
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
- International faculty from Veritas University teach your language and elective classes.
- Attendance in all classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor.
- Periodic exams, homework assignments and final exams will be administered.
- Teaching styles in Costa Rica may differ from those in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
- Class size ranges between 10 and 25 students and includes CEA CAPA participants and other international students.
Amenities
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Study Room
Counseling Services
University Library
Computer Lab
Printing Facilities
Student ID
Multi-Media
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Academic Advising
Tutoring
Language Learning Services
Language Exchange with Local Students
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
Free Campus Shuttle
Copy & Mail Center
On-campus ATM
Museum & Art Galleries
6
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
You’ll enroll in 1 VU Tropical Marine Biology course and earn 6 credits (20 online hours, 35 lecture hours, 35 field session hours, for a total of 90 contact hours).
The course has an online component and a fieldwork component. You’ll take 2 weeks of online coursework at home, plus 2.5 weeks of field sessions in Costa Rica. The online portion of the class will allow you to interact with your professor and classmates through Canvas, a virtual platform for Internet-based courses. Once in Costa Rica, you will officially meet your professor and classmates and together continue with the program. You’ll explore the topics exhibited during the online part in the field, visiting different marine habitats along the Costa Rican Pacific coast, including coral reefs, sandy and muddy beaches, mangroves and estuaries.
Upon confirmation of your participation in the program, we’ll register you in the module. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
All aspects of this program, including program logistics, academics, housing, and transportation is managed by our partner institution Veritas University. Please note that due to the unique structure of the program, inclusions such as excursions and housing differ from those of our other programs. Contact your CEA Admissions Counselor for more information.
The course has an online component and a fieldwork component. You’ll take 2 weeks of online coursework at home, plus 2.5 weeks of field sessions in Costa Rica. The online portion of the class will allow you to interact with your professor and classmates through Canvas, a virtual platform for Internet-based courses. Once in Costa Rica, you will officially meet your professor and classmates and together continue with the program. You’ll explore the topics exhibited during the online part in the field, visiting different marine habitats along the Costa Rican Pacific coast, including coral reefs, sandy and muddy beaches, mangroves and estuaries.
Upon confirmation of your participation in the program, we’ll register you in the module. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
All aspects of this program, including program logistics, academics, housing, and transportation is managed by our partner institution Veritas University. Please note that due to the unique structure of the program, inclusions such as excursions and housing differ from those of our other programs. Contact your CEA Admissions Counselor for more information.
All Levels Course Structure
View Term
Courses
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONL - ENV 3190 Tropical Marine Biology * | 300 | En | 90 | 6 |
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Where You'll Stay
*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.
Homestay
Available:
Semester
Summer
Summer
Engage in San Jose’s pura vida culture firsthand when you live in a homestay with a local Costa Rican family. For the culture-seeking type who want to live life abroad as their host locals do, homestays enable students the opportunity to dive headfirst into Costa Rican life.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Office in San Jose: 10-20 minutes, walking
- Veritas University: 10-20 minutes, walking
Meals Included
• 2 meals per day – Breakfast & Dinner (Mon - Sun) included, except on excursion days
Roommates
- 1-3 students per room; may be up to 5 students per room, depending on enrollment
- Up to 4 students per Homestay; may be up to 8 students per Homestay, depending on enrollment
Unit Amenities
- Limited kitchen
- Shared-single sex bathroom
- Bed linens included
- Internet Access
- Telephone access available
- Washer Only
Studio Apartment
Available:
Semester
Summer
Limited availability. This option is ideal for independent students who favor having their own space and the flexibility and responsibility of apartment living. Apartments are located in a trendy neighborhood in the heart of the city, within walking distance from Veritas University/ CEA CAPA Office in San Jose. CEA CAPA manages a handful of studios, the other apartments are occupied by locals, students, and tourists. You will be by yourself in the studio; there may or may not be other CEA CAPA students as neighbors.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Office: 15-20 minutes, walking
- Veritas University: 15-20 minutes, walking
Meals Included
- N/A
Roommates
- 1 student per room
Unit Amenities
- Kitchen Available
- Bed linens and towels included
- Internet Access
- A/C
- Cleaning Service provided every 2 weeks.
- Pool
- Washing machine (washer & dryer)
Additional Fees
This housing option carries a supplemental fee which may vary based on housing inclusions (i.e. meals, amenities, etc.) as well as program length. Exact amount will be confirmed on the housing application form.
- Semester: $900 - $4,300
Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
What's Included in your Program
From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in San José. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.
- Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
- Visa & Immigration Advising
- Financial Advising
- Tuition and Registration
- Airport Pick-up
- Onsite Orientation
- City Tour
- Onsite Staff Support
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Travel Medical Insurance
- International Emergency Service Support
- Welcome & Farewell Events
- Centrally Located Housing
- Wellness Activities
- Cultural Engagement
- Language Exchanges
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Excursions
- Student Clubs & Organizations
- Host Institution Services & Amenities
- Career & Re-entry Workshop
- Official Transcript(s)
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
|
December 07
|
Online Portion of Program Begins
Official Program Start Date. Students will begin online coursework through Canvas on this date. |
|
December 18
|
Online Portion of Program Ends
Online Portion of Program ends. |
|
January 03
|
Arrival/Program Begins
On-site portion of the program starts. Students must arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing. |
|
January 04
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at Veritas University. |
|
January 05
|
Field Sessions Begin
Field sessions throughout Costa Rica begin. |
|
January 16
|
Field Sessions End
Students return to San Jose for course wrap up at Veritas University. |
|
January 20
|
Classes End
This is the last day of classes at Veritas University. |
|
January 21
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. |
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.