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Costa Rica (Semester)

The semester study abroad program in Costa Rica offers a wonderful opportunity to become totally immersed in the Latin American culture and way of life.

(Summer and Horticulture programs available.)

Students experience the rain forest first-hand and study agriculture/environment at a world-class international college specializing in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. EARTH (Escuela de Agricultura de la Región Tropical Húmeda) has 400 full-time students from throughout Latin America, Asia and Africa. It offers a unique, student-centered experiential-learning system where hands-on experience is stressed.

EARTH seeks to develop future leaders in agriculture/natural resources with strong ethical and human values, environmental and social consciousness and an entrepreneurial mentality. Theoretical and practical-based knowledge are developed as well as skills in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and agricultural business.

EARTH University Program Brochure (PDF)

Location

EARTH is located on the Caribbean lowlands, about an hour and a half from San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

EARTH has over 8,000 acres of property, most of which is dedicated to rain forests, reserves, commercial agricultural activities, livestock production and academic farms.

Academics

Students earn 15 credits upon successfully completing the program. Before leaving for EARTH, students work with their academic advisers to determine the MU course equivalencies they will receive for the courses they take at EARTH.

Learning is very active and hands-on at EARTH Students are required to take the Work Experience Course and fully immerse themselves in the tropical experience.

Instruction is in Spanish; however, most EARTH faculty speak English. At a minimum, students must have completed one semester of Spanish as well as a three-hour conversational Spanish course before departing for Costa Rica. Additionally, students will complete a two-week intensive Spanish language course in San Jose before moving to EARTH.

Requirements

2.75 GPA
Good academic standing.
Minimum of one semester of Spanish and a three-hour Spanish Conversation course.
This program is open to all MU students.

Accommodations

Students live in dormitories and share rooms with local students. Dorm resources include wireless internet connections. Meals are eaten on campus in the cafeteria.

EARTH has extensive and modern support facilities available to MU students. The campus has computer labs and recreational facilities including tennis courses, a swimming pool and a weight room.

EARTH Links

Funding Study Abroad

CAFNR Students receive an automatic $1,000 scholarship if they are accepted into this program. Additional CAFNR scholarships and loans are available for CAFNR students on this program. Students may also use Financial Aid and University Scholarships for study abroad.

Costs

Program: Costa Rica Semester: EARTH University
Dates: Fall Semester: Mid-August to Mid-December, Spring Semester: December/January to May

EARTH Spring 2008 Costs (early estimates)*
Tuition and Fees (in-state students) 15 credits:	$3,409
Airfare:	$750
Program Fees:	$6,250
International Center Fees and MU Fees:	$245
CAFNR Study Abroad Grant to Supplement Program:	-$2,182
CAFNR Automatic Scholarship:	-$1,000
Total:	$7,472

*Important Notice

The above costs are estimates for Spring Semester 2008 for in-state students and include meals, but do not include personal spending money. Non-resident students will also be billed for 20 percent of their nonresident fees for the number of credits on the program. The CAFNR Automatics Scholarship is only for CAFNR students. Please check with the Program Director.