Academics
Summer 2026 Course Overview
You will take two courses simultaneously for a total of 8 credits. One course is taught by a local faculty member from Universidad Nacional and the other course will be taught by Brandeis faculty. All academic work will be taught in English.
Your learning will consist of a combination of classroom lecture and coursework, guest speakers, and field trips to sites of interest in and around the country. All aspects of this program will deepen your understanding of environmental conservation, current environmental issues in Costa Rica, and sustainable development. Multi-day excursions to various parts of the country will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and the chance to complete basic ecological research and interact with local plants and wildlife.
Spanish Language and Culture
In addition to the Environmental Studies courses you are taking in San Jose, all students will participate in introductory Spanish language and culture lessons during orientation that supplement the academic experience in Costa Rica.
Academic Excursions
During the course of the program there will be various academic excursions throughout the country, which are organized to help bring you into direct contact with the subject matter you are studying. Students will participate on multi-day excursions to the rainforest at La Selva Biological Research Station, the cloud forest in Monteverde, and the dry forest in Liberia. Day trips to other parts of the country, including visits with the Bribri indigenous community and to San Jose, will add on-the-ground knowledge to the academic coursework.
Prerequisites for the Program
A Spanish course is highly recommended before attending the program but not required.