Faculty-led Program in Costa Rica (Prof. Demastes)

Costa Rica contains only about 0.03% of the Earth’s landmass yet harbors 5% of the world’s biodiversity. This incredible biodiversity is the result of a happy combination of a tropical climate, being located between two major oceans, and a dramatic topography featuring a tall, central volcanic mountain range. Aside from its incredible biodiversity, Costa Rica is also well-known for its Biodiversity Law, a product of the country’s healthy democracy and its investment in the environment after abolishing its military. Through this Study Abroad program, you will have the opportunity to experience three very different tropical ecosystems in a true biodiversity hotspot.

On the Pacific Coast, we will spend 4 nights at a biological station on the Osa Peninsula, home to lush lowland rainforests with macaws, toucans, sloths, monkeys and so much more (more than 250,000 species!). These forests were termed the “most biologically intense place on earth” by National Geographic in 2016. We will also visit volcanoes and other mountain regions to study highland ecosystems and we will spend 3 nights in the breathtaking Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a place with such high diversity it is home to more than 30 species of hummingbirds and over 500 species of orchids! During our travels we will learn first-hand about Costa Rican culture, their views on conservation ethics, and what they mean by “Pura Vida” (the good life).

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: December 15, 2024
Program Dates: Monday, May 19 - Sunday, June 1, 2025 (Dates tentative)

To get started for Summer Break-Costa Rica 2025, schedule a meeting with an advisor using the link below.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

"Costa Rica is an inspiration to us all. They are restoring their forests, protecting their biodiversity, and creating a sustainable future for their people." – Jane Goodall, Peace with Nature In Costa Rica

Course Leader

Jim Demastes, Professor

Department: Biology
Phone: 319-273-2022
E-mail:jim.demastes@uni.edu
Campus Address: MSH 70

Jim has conducted field research in Costa Rica, Mexico and across the western U.S. He also led the 2024 Summer Study-Abroad course that visited Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. He has been a biology professor at UNI since 1998 teaching Organismal Diversity, Mammalogy, Field Zoology, and Ecology, Evolution & the Nature of Science. Jim has a keen interest in travel, unique ecosystems, history and other cultures

Academics

BIOL 1200: Biological Diversity and Conservation (3 credit hours)

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you! This course can fulfill a variety of credit options, such as the Responsibility requirement in UNIFI.

Biological diversity (biodiversity) is essential for healthy, functioning ecosystems that form the basic life support system for all living creatures on earth, including humans. The current reduction of biodiversity (extinction rate) is estimated between 100-1000 times the historical background rate and presents a potentially existential challenge for human society. In this course, we will examine biodiversity: how it is measured, the causes and effects of the current rate of its decrease, and efforts to conserve the remaining biodiversity and difficulties these efforts face. Conservation may appear straightforward at first blush, but the implementation of policies are often rife with ethical questions ranging from the rights of indigenous peoples in a far away land to the downstream effects of our own day-to-day decision making here at home. Because of the interplay of conservation and ethics, students will compare ethical models that can be brought to bear when considering both conservation issues on a global or regional scale and personal responsibility and decision making. Students will begin developing their own model of conservation ethics that they can use (and adjust) during their class project and throughout life. Students will begin this work on campus and will further the work during our travels while completing a self-designed conservation-based project incorporating their ethical model.

Participation in this program requires several class meetings throughout the spring semester, although the course is scheduled for the summer. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.

The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in their study abroad course.

The program will require participants to walk several miles a day at a leisurely pace over uneven surfaces, along with a few cases of steep steps. All participants must follow instructions from guides and faculty at all times.

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Monday, May 19 - Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Dates do not include travel to/from destination)

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Travel to San José (stay 1 night).

Day 2: City Tour then travel to Cerro de la Muerte for exploration hike and lecture on Costa Rica Highlands. Spend night at Cerro de la Muerte (1 night).

Day 3: Travel to nearby Cerro Asunción to hike then depart for the Rio Serpe and boat trip to Campanario Biological Station on the Osa Peninsula (4 nights).

Day 4: Guided hike in Campanario, workshop on wildlife observation and identification, visit a bat cave, night hike.

Day 5: Hike in Corcovado National Park, snorkeling and beach time, lecture on rainforest.

Day 6: Travel to Caño Island, workshop on intertidal organisms back at Campanario, evening talk on marine ecology.

Day 7: Travel to Sierpe for mangrove tour, then travel to Playa Uvita. Time to work on projects and enjoy the area. Spend night at Uvita (2 nights).

Day 8: Visit Marino Ballena National Park and Altura Wildlife Sanctuary. Bioethics talk.

Day 9: Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest with time to explore and afternoon talk on the cloud forest and climate change. Spend night in Monteverde (3 nights).

Day 10: Guided day hike in Monteverde, talk on amphibians, guided night hike.

Day 11: Tour of coffee plantation, workshop on climate and food systems, project time.

Day 12: Visit hanging bridges, travel to San Jose (2 nights).

Day 13: Visit Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, shopping time.

Day 13: Fly home.

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Costa Rica, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Costa Rica

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center and paid for before departure. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner while in Costa Rica are built into the cost of the program. Students are encouraged to try the local foods

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $5,979*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$5,979
Estimated U-bill Charges	$4,782
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$1,197

Costa Rica Summer 2025 Cost Estimate (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,824
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$887
Transportation	$350
Total	$11,325

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

‌Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
‌Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.