The Monteverde Tropical Ecology and Conservation program is designed to give biology and related majors a rich understanding of tropical ecology. The program offers a combination of science courses taught in English, a Spanish language course at various levels, and independent research. It is ideal for students who are outdoorsy and who are committed to fully immersing themselves in academics, nature, and the local culture. The program is administered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on behalf of a consortium of which The University of Iowa is a member. Participants join a group of students from other U.S. colleges and universities. UI students earn resident credit on this program.

Academic Program

Semester:

Students take preset courses of three biological and physical science courses, a Spanish language course at one of nine levels, and an independent research course. Science courses are taught in English by biology professors from universities in Costa Rica, Europe, and the United States who hold degrees in ecology and have extensive tropical experience. Coursework incorporates extensive field trips to various ecosystems throughout Costa Rica. Students earn 17-18 semester hours for the semester. For more information, visit the CIEE Monteverde Tropical Ecology + Conservation Semester Program website.

Summer:

This intensive eight-week program immerses students in tropical biology and ecology and allows them to conduct independent research in a specific area. Science courses are taught in English by highly qualified faculty, with guest lectures from resident and visiting biologists. Spanish classes and a three-week homestay help students build their Spanish language skills. Students take a condensed version of the semester program, including two biology courses, one Spanish language course, and an independent research course. Students earn 10 s.h. for the summer. For more information, visit the CIEE Monteverde Summer Tropical Ecology + Conservation Program website.

Program Dates

Fall: Mid-August to early December

Spring: Late January to mid-May

Summer: Early June to early August

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with CIEE, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

CIEE Monteverde

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. There is a wet laboratory, an herbarium, plus organic gardens to support a wide array of STEM studies and research opportunities. An extensive trail system through forest and fields, links classrooms to a botanical garden, animal stable and coffee and vegetable production areas.

Monteverde

"Monteverde" is a cluster of towns that make up the area and include; 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, and its friendly Costa Rican inhabitants. The Quakers stewarded and farmed a large tract of land, part of which they eventually set aside for conservation, which today is 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

Students stay in shared rooms with bunkbeds and en suitebathrooms. 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. Field lodging includes camping and other rural housing and all meals are provided.

Passport

US Citizens

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US 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. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for a visa or leaving the United States.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Costa Rica by a designated date. Specific information will be provided in post-acceptance materials from CIEE .

Local Transportation

Because students will study and live at the CIEE Monteverde Center there will be little need to use local transportation.

Eligibility

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

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA: Students must have at minimum a 2.5 cumulative GPA to participate in this program.
• 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.
• 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.
• Semester Students: Two semesters of college-level biology are required. Some college-level Spanish is recommended.
• Summer Students: One semester of college-level biology is required.

Cost

The most recent cost sheet for the program is included below. 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 (CIEE program 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 your Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding the cost sheet.

Cost Sheets

Cost Sheet for CIEE Monteverde Tropical Ecology & Conservation, Spring 2025

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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 websites for UI Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities.

CIEE has several scholarships available to University of Iowa students CIEE Scholarships specific to UI students.
Please visit the CIEE Scholarship web site to find out more about their scholarships.

How to Apply

Interested students should make an appointment with the designated UI Study Abroad advisor to discuss the program and the application process. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 319-335-0353. During the appointment, the advisor will provide full application instructions. Note: Application materials will not be reviewed unless a student has already met with the advisor to discuss the program.

The application process consists of the following steps:

• Complete the UI Online Application for Study Abroad. Applicants will be charged a $50 non-refundable application fee. As part of the UI Online Application for Study Abroad, applicants will need to upload a copy of their passport picture page and a list of courses to take while abroad.

• Complete the CIEE Online Application.

Application Deadlines

Fall and Summer: Mar. 1

Spring: Sept. 20

Acceptance & Confirmation Materials

Coming Soon

Preparation

It is highly recommended that students review the following information:

Health & Safety Planning

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Health Abroad

Safety and Security Abroad

Visa

Embassy of Costa Rica (for visa information)

Diversity and Identity Abroad

Race and Ethnicity Abroad

LGBTQ Identity Abroad

Students with Disabilities Abroad

First-Generationa and Non-Traditional Students Abroad

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. In addition to orientations provided UI Study Abroad, CIEE may have other required pre-departure orientations and information. Please see below for more information.

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

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to the University of Iowa including, but not limited to, billing, insurance, the Credit Approval Form (CAF), and transcripts. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on the type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

CIEE Orientation

Students start their study abroad experience before leaving the United States with CIEE’s Online Pre-departure Orientation. Students and the Resident staff meet online to discuss information about the academic program and the city that students will soon be living in. Resident staff also highlight issues that program alumni have said are important and they give students time to ask questions. In addition to this orientation, students will have mandatory orientation sessions conducted in Costa Rica at the beginning of the program.