Block 3: Costa Rica - EV209: Ecology & the Environment
Course Full Name: Ecology & The Environment
Course Number: EV209
Faculty Leader(s): Prof. Miro Kummel
Prerequisites: EV128: Introduction to Global Climate Change
Major Requirements Met: TBD
College Requirements Met: None
Course Location: Costa Rica (Field Stations)
Heightened Physical & Psychological Requirements for All Study Away: Study Away or Abroad can be a very different experience than an on-campus course, requiring both physical and mental adjustments which may not be typical for your on-campus experience. This includes requirements for physical activity such as more extensive physical movement (walking, touring, extended sedentary time during travel, etc.), requirements to manage luggage, often on uneven terrain such as cobblestone streets or buildings without elevators, or locations with limited medical facilities, potential extremes of weather or temperature. Housing options are also significantly different from an on-campus experience. Some programs will use family homestays while others will require students live in pairs, triples, and quads. Travel is also inherently a stressful alteration to your normal routines, with greater flexibility, adaptability and resilience required, whether it is dealing with distinct cultures, language differences, feelings of “otherness” or lack of belonging, or simply greater ambiguity and unfamiliarity with surroundings. We recommend that all students consider these realities of study away and abroad as they consider programs. Below we will list any known expectations which the faculty have identified for their specific course.
Expectations for Study on this Program: The course takes place in two remote field stations that are operated by Bosque Eterno de los Ninos. The San Gerardo Field Station is 1.5 hour hike from the nearest road. It does not have cell service or internet connection (it has radio connection for medical emergencies, and an off road vehicle for emergency transportation). It only has cold water. It has electricity, full kitchen with a staff, 3 hot meals a day plus two snacks. It is very isolated but the location is conducive to building a strong community --- like "Camp San Gerardo" ... it experiences significant heavy downpours and fog (it is in the transition between rainforests and cloud forests). There are no mosquitos, temperature is in 70's (F), there are some venomous snakes but abundance is very low ... you have to look hard to find them. Time to medical care is approximately 1.5-2.5 hours depending on weather conditions.
Pocosol Field station is accessible by road, it has hot water and internet. It is at a lower elevation and has higher density of venomous snakes. time to medical care is approximately 1-1.5 hours (30 min to drive out to the back country and 30+ minutes on local roads to reach care)
Course Fee: $2,900
Included/Not Included in Fee: Fee includes all on-site lodging, transportation, group meals, excursions & group activities, and international health & travel insurance. Not included in the fee is airfare to/from Costa Rica or individual meals. All students who have a full meal plan at Colorado College will receive a one-block refund of their meal fund with those funds available for on-site meal costs.
Application Process: Apply on Summit, within the Global Education option. The main application window for this program is January 29-March 15, 2026. Students who apply during the window will be reviewed for eligibility for an aid award to cover up to 90% of the program fee and anticipated airfare costs. Students who apply and/or are accepted into the program after March 16 may also qualify for aid, but aid is limited and may not be available to students accepted into this program after the March 15 deadline.
Withdrawal Deadline: Students accepted to this program may withdraw by July 1, 2026 with no financial commitment to the program. Late withdrawals will be billed either 25% or 75% of the program fee, depending on the date of withdrawal. See our Billing & Finance page for details.