Costa Rica—Ag Science & Sustainability
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Activities and Excursions
- Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
- About Costa Rica
- Weather and Climate
- Research Your Destination
Accommodations
“Share a dorm room; share your culture”! You can share a room with a student of a different nationality (a unique and valuable opportunity). Note that EARTH will try to accommodate you in rooms with regular EARTH students, but you may also be paired with other interns and visitors from the US.
Housing will be in shared, but private, rooms in student residence buildings. Within each room, you will have your own bed, closet, and study desk with drawers. Each residence includes shared bathrooms. The housing is conveniently located within close walking distance of the cafeteria, library and laundry facilities.
Read more about meals, accommodations, and campus life.
UC Davis reserves the right to change the accommodation location(s). Should this be necessary, we will arrange comparable lodging. Please note that elevators, air conditioners and other modern conveniences will not be available in all locations.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the on-campus cafeteria is included. The majority of the meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables and dairy products served at mealtime are sourced from EARTH University’s sustainable academic farms. Vegetarian and non-gluten options are available at each meal service.
Activities and Excursions
EARTH’s campus features many fitness facilities: soccer fields, an outdoor swimming pool, basketball court, tennis and badminton courts, and a weight room. In addition, there are paved roads and dirt trails that offer many opportunities for biking, hiking, walking and running. There are organized evening clubs such as basketball, dancing, swimming, badminton, weight training, soccer, Frisbee, volleyball, singing, Zumba, yoga and meditation.
There will be a weekend trip to Parque Nacional Tortuguero, a protected wilderness area on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast. Its beaches are famous nesting grounds for sea turtles. The surrounding dense rainforest is also rich with wildlife
Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
Participation in this UC Davis Study Abroad program requires travel to and extended living in a foreign location(s) abroad. UC Davis Study Abroad endeavors to reduce and mitigate risk wherever possible. However, the environments and risks associated with living in these locations are substantially different than those found during a regular course of study at UC Davis. All participants must download and review the following information prior to departure. Any questions should be directed to the Program Coordinator.
Study Abroad General Risk Advisory
Program Specific Risk Advisories (PDF)
About Costa Rica
Annually Costa Rica attracts more than one million visitors eager to catch a wave, bathe under a waterfall, spot a sloth or otherwise partake of paradise, according to Lonely Planet. Tourism is the country's top source of employment and investment. It's not easy to maintain the delicate balance between preserving natural resources and cashing in on economic opportunity. But most Ticos are proud of their natural heritage, and they recognize that the goals of environmental conservation and economic prosperity are not mutually exclusive. This is the enlightened approach that has earned Costa Rica its reputation as the paradigm of ecotourism. It's no wonder that the Ticos extend such a warm welcome to travelers. This peace- loving people is eager to share - the staggering scenery, the bountiful biodiversity and the complete contentment that comes with pura vida, the 'pure life' of Costa Rica.
About EARTH University: “In the heart of the tropical Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica resides EARTH University. The 8,342-acre campus includes classrooms, laboratories, sustainable academic farms, sporting and recreational facilities, chief operational offices, student and faculty residences, a commercial banana plantation, reforested areas and a large, protected rainforest reserve.” Read more campus life.
Currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC). To see today's exchange rate, visit Oanda.com.
Language Spoken: The official and predominant language of Costa Rica is Spanish; the variety spoken there is a form of Central American Spanish. In addition, several Chibchan languages, including Boruca and Bribri, are spoken there.
Weather and Climate
Bring clothes that you can layer for ease of comfort. There will be rain showers during your stay, so bring a jacket, umbrella and rainboots.
Research Your Destination
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Wikitravel about Costa Rica
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Costa Rican newspapers printed in English
- New York Times Coverage of Costa Rica