At A Glance
04 Weeks | 04 Credits
Summer 2023
Jul 7 - Aug 6
Closed
Summer 2024
Jul 8 - Aug 6
Open
Prerequisites
None
Environmental Justice from the Ground Up
Atenas, Central Valley
Tackle the challenging topic of environmental justice from a community perspective. In studying this crucial subject, we find that many solutions originate with the very communities being denied access to the natural resources that sustain them. Dive deep into the themes of food sovereignty, water access and management, tourism’s impact on biodiversity, and the development of sustainable resource alternatives. Explore diverse perspectives on controversial environmental management issues, learn to conduct community-based data collection, and support community members reaching their own solutions to natural resource management and protection.
- Embark on an overnight trip to cloud forests to learn about endangered endemic species and the plight of balancing tourism visitation with the conservation of fragile montane ecosystems.
Application deadlines:
Summer 2 – May 1
follow sfs costa rica on instagram
Program Costs & Financial Aid
Photo Gallery
Academics
This academically rigorous program follows a five-day/week schedule. Most weekends are open to explore Costa Rica or relax at the Center. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in Costa Rica.
Major academic themes include:
- Climate change and tropical ecosystems
- Agroforestry
- Sustainable ecotourism
- Food security, seed sovereignty, and women´s entrepreneurship in agriculture
- Water access rights; water management and protection
- Biodiversity analysis
- Ecological Resilience
Where You'll Be Living
The Center is an active organic farm overlooking the vibrant Central Valley, where green is the predominant color as far as the eye can see. Dorms and classrooms intermingle with orchards and gardens, while Center dog Hera keeps watch over it all. The friendly town of Atenas is a 10-minute cab ride away, offering restaurants, shops, parks, and cultural events.
- Dorm living with 4-person bunkrooms
- Classroom, library, computer lab, and laundry room
- Open-air porch with hammocks and chairs
- Dining hall with scenic valley views, and on-site cooking staff
- Swimming pool, soccer field, basketball court, and pizza oven
- Outdoor classroom and hiking trails
