Program Description

Explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica over winter break. This three-week, English-taught program explores the intertwining of eco-tourism and culture in Costa Rica. A large portion of class time is devoted to field trips and site visits related to eco-tourism.

Academic Program

Taught by UI Department of Spanish and Portuguese professor Suzanne Wedeking, this program carries 3 semester hours of credit. Although the program is taught in English, participants must have completed one semester of college-level Spanish or one year of high school Spanish. The program is approved as a 2000-level culture course for Spanish major or minor, assuming the student has not maxed out the number of English-taught courses that can be applied toward the minor (1) or major (2).

The course is pending approval as a World Language and Cultural Exploration course that will fulfill the 3+1 World Languages general education pathway. A final decision on approval will be made in September 2025. 

Please note: This course converts back to UI as SPAN:2905.

The course will include academic lectures and site visits in Monteverde related to the following topics:

• History of Monteverde
• Quaker Community
• Bilingual Education
• Economic Benefits of Eco-Tourism
• Gentrification
• Impact of Tourism

Program Participation

Important: Please note that this program is competitive and there is a possibility that it will fill up (maximum 20 students) before the designated deadline. Assuming all applicants meet the stated eligibility requirements (see Application tab), program admission decisions will be made on a first come, first served basis. We recommend that you apply for the program as soon as possible. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as they will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.

Once the course has filled (20 students), UI Study Abroad will maintain a waitlist and notify any students who are waitlisted. Further information will be sent out at that time to waitlisted students regarding next steps.

Cultural Activities

The program will provide ample opportunities to explore the landscape and culture of Monteverde, including the following activities:

• Guided tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest
• Ziplining and hanging bridges walk
• Tour of LIFE Monteverde Coffee Farm
• Cooking class

There will also be a two-day excursion to La Fortuna, where students will visit the La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal National Park.

Students will have the option to arrange independent travel (at their own expense) during the first full weekend of the program.

Program Dates

The program dates for the 2025-26 program are Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 (departure from U.S.) to Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 (departure from Costa Rica). See the Logistics tab for more information on travel arrangements.

For More Information

Prof. Suzanne Wedeking, Faculty Director
UI Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Email: suzanne-wedeking@uiowa.edu 

Emily Brown, Senior Study Abroad Advisor & Program Coordinator
International Programs
1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: emily-a-brown@uiowa.edu

CIEE Monteverde

CIEE, a leading study abroad organization, serves as UI's logistics provider in Costa Rica. The CIEE Monteverde Center is all encompassing. It is fully equipped with classrooms, computers, and library facilities - as well as indoor and outdoor common areas - to accommodate experiential and traditional learning. An extensive trail system through forest and fields links classrooms to a botanical garden, animal stables, and coffee and vegetable production areas.

Monteverde

Monteverde is a cluster of towns that make up the area, including Monteverde, Santa Elena, Cerra Plano, and San Luis. Each town has its own small downtown. The town of Monteverde was founded by Quakers from the United States in the 1950s. The Quakers and some pacifists chose the area for it cool climate - which would facilitate dairy farming - and because of the country's nonviolent, army-free constitution. The Quakers stewarded and farmed a large tract of land, part of which they eventually set aside for conservation and became the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Today, tourists contribute the principal revenues to the zone, though coffee plantations and dairy farms still dot the landscape. The region, comprising numerous small towns, is home to about 5,000 people of diverse backgrounds.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Panama to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. While occupying only 0.01% of the earth's land mass, the country hosts 5% of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica has progressive environmental polices and is the only country to meet all five United Nations Development Program criteria established to measure environmental sustainability. A pioneer of ecotourism, Costa Rica draws many tourists to its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas. Costa Rica aspires to become carbon neutral in 2050.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

At the beginning and end of the program (12 nights total), students will be housed in dormitory-style rooms (2-4 students per room) on the CIEE Monteverde campus. There are indoor and outdoor areas for recreation and study with access to forest trails and gardens. Three simple but hearty meals are provided daily. Students will have access to laundry facilities three times.

In the middle of the program, students will live in homestays (1-2 students per home) for six nights. This is an opportunity for students to meet local Monteverde residents and learn more about Costa Rican culture. Three meals will be provided daily.

During the two-night excursion to La Fortuna, students will be housed in double-occupancy rooms in a hotel. Breakfast will be provided daily, and group lunches and dinners will be organized. 

Passport

U.S. Citizens

U.S. citizens who do not have a passport should apply for one as soon as possible. More information about how to apply for a passport is available on the U.S. Department of State's website. 

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. U.S. citizens who need to renew their passport can find more information on the U.S. Department of State's website. 

Expedited processing service is available at an additional cost. UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agent at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Students who are not U.S. citizens should contact UI Study Abroad (study-abroad@uiowa.edu) for information on how to ensure that their passport is valid for the duration of their time abroad.

Travel Arrangements & Local Transportation

A suggested flight itinerary will be shared with students accepted to the program. Students are strongly encouraged to book the suggested flight itinerary or an alternative itinerary that arrives at approximately the same time. CIEE staff will meet the group at the airport and provide transportation to the program site.

Participants who are unable to meet onsite staff at the group arrival point in the airport are responsible for checking in at the designated arrival point at the appointed date and time and are responsible for all transfer arrangements and costs. 

Transportation will be provided for all program-related activities. 

Program Provider

This program is made possible by the collaboration of the University of Iowa and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), a consortium of which The University of Iowa is a member. For more information on CIEE and their services, please visit their website. 

Eligibility

This program is open to UI students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance, will not be allowed to study abroad, and are wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA: Students must have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. 
• Minimum one semester of college-level Spanish or one year of high school Spanish: Students must have completed at least one semester of college-level Spanish or, alternatively, one year of high school Spanish. This requirement may be waived for Spanish heritage speakers, who are encouraged to apply. In this case, please inquire directly with program director.
• Physical activity: Participants must be able to tolerate and function effectively engaging in high-intensity physical activities, such as trail-hiking over rugged terrain, for a prolonged period of time, four-plus hours in a day. To discuss reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, please contact safety-abroad@uiowa.edu
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity: Students must meet entry requirements for the countries and venues visited by the program. Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel and demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.

Costs

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill (course fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, and mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance), as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic. Please see the respective websites for further details. Contact the UI Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding the cost sheet.

The 2025-26 course fee is $4,950. The course fee does not include the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, CISI Travel Insurance, or out-of-pocket expenses, all of which are listed in the cost sheet. The full cost sheet will be posted by the application open date on Aug. 1, 2025.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Most financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is applicable to study abroad programs. Please check the Study Abroad website for information on financial aid and how it may be applied to studying abroad. You are also encouraged to speak with someone at the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

Scholarship opportunities exist for study abroad participants. Please explore Study Abroad’s website for UI Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities and external awards.

How to Apply

The application for the Winter 2025-26 program opens on August 1, 2025 and will close on September 17, 2025. The application process consists of the following steps:

• UI applicants complete the UI Online Application for Study Abroad. Non-UI applicants should email UI Study Abroad Advisor Emily Brown (emily-a-brown@uiowa.edu) for application instructions. Applicants will be charged a $50 non-refundable application fee.
• Once the application process is complete, application materials will be reviewed by the program director, Prof. Suzanne Wedeking. All applicants will receive official notification of their acceptance status shortly after the final application deadline. Program admission decisions will be based on the following factors: course eligibility requirements met and submission date of application. Accepted students will also receive information about how to confirm their place in the course.
• Details about flights and orientation will follow soon after accepted students confirm their place in the program in early October.

Application Deadline

Winter 2025-26 program: September 17, 2025

Health & Safety Planning

All students preparing to study abroad should review the following: Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Visa

U.S. passport holders do not need to obtain a visa for a stay in Costa Rica of less than 90 days. Non-U.S. passport holders should consult with the UI Study Abroad advisor.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations:

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

During this in-person orientation, students will receive information on registering for their program in MyUI, payment and billing, course approvals and other practical matters. Students will also have the opportunity to ask the program director questions about academics, cultural activities, and other general topics.