A once in a lifetime experience. Make a difference in people's lives; learn why Costa Ricans live longer lives and are on track to be fully sustainable!
Costa Rica
Living in a Blue Zone
Explore beautiful Costa Rica, one of the five Blue Zones of the world, where people live measurably longer and healthier lives. Discover healthy lifeways through cooking classes, lectures, readings, and excursions to the farmer’s market. See firsthand the challenges of sustainable travel as you visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Thermal Hot Springs, La Fortuna Waterfalls, Palo Verde Park, and Samara Beach. Learn about the rich indigenous cultural heritage of the region by visiting Guaitil, a village dedicated to traditional Chorotega pottery. Visit a coffee farm and learn about coffee, chocolate, and sugar making (samples, of course!). Activities include a rainforest boat trip, and options for a zipline canopy tour, swimming under a rainforest waterfall, kayaking and snorkeling in the Pacific, surfing, and horseback riding in the mountains. Options for quieter moments include seeing fabulous orchids, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Live with a local family in a small city rich in traditional culture. Practice Spanish in small, relaxed groups with our partner school, Academia de Español Nicoya, at any level—from basic phrases for those with no background in the language on up to classes tailored for native speakers.
Most importantly, examine the connections between sustainability and wellness and make a difference in children’s lives by creating and delivering unique health promotion lessons to kids ages 5-12; and work alongside health professionals to help provide health screenings and referrals to the local children.
March 7-17, 2024
Scott Sernau, Ph.D.
- (574) 520-4402)
- ssernau@iusb.edu
Kristyn MacInnis, DHEd, RDH, CHES
- (574) 520-4405)
- quimbyk@iusb.edu
“My experience in Costa Rica is one I hold close to my heart. At first I was very reluctant to the idea of being out of the country for the first time on my own. Fortunately, with some emotional support from Professor Cati (Catherine Hebert-Annis), I decided I need to do this for me. Going to Costa Rica made me stronger as a person mentally and physically, it pushed me outside my comfort zone. Every time I think I cannot succeed at something now, I always think of Costa Rica and how far I have come as a person.” Ashley Stewart
Students will enroll in
- SOC-B 399 Human Behavior and Social Institutions
VT: Costa Rica (Human Behaviors and Social Institutions Common Core–3 cr.); or - SOC S 362 World Societies and Cultures (Non-Western Cultures Contemporary Social Values–3 cr.)
All applications are due by Wednesday November 29 and a non-refundable deposit of $300 is due by December 6, 2023. Balance must be paid in full or by commitment from Financial Aid by January 17, 2024
- Estimated Cost | $3,350 (plus $40 insurance)
Includes: - All in country meals
- All hotels, lodges, and homestay
- Round trip flight
- Zip lining
- Coffee plantation tour
- Hot springs visit
- Nocturnal fauna walking tour
- Lake Arena boat trip with views of the volcano
Who best to tell you about this adventure, than the students!
Photo credit, Joel Langston, Manager, Media Services, University Information Technology Services
