Overview

Take advantage of the unique opportunities of this quarter-long program in Monteverde, a rural community of Costa Ricans and North Americans who share a bicultural and bilingual lifestyle in a growing eco-tourism area. Located between seasonally dry Pacific slopes to the west and the tropical rain forest of the Atlantic slope to the east, the area's unique contrasting wet and dry forests present extraordinary opportunities to study plant-animal interactions, ecology, and natural history. You will also visit marine habitats and lowland environments. Two of the larger reserves include the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Bosque Eterno de los Niños, which together provide a habitat and protection to more than 3,000 species of plants and a variety of animal species including spider monkeys, quetzales, mountain lions, and tapirs. Strenuous hiking and rustic living conditions contribute to the rewarding nature of this program.

Because of Monteverde's rich biological attributes, the area is the target of strong conservation efforts. It attracts biologists from around the world, many of whom serve as guest lecturers and resources for EAP.

Students attend classes with UC students only.

Course Opportunities

Plant-animal interactions, ecology, evolution, behavior, natural history, taxonomy, conservation, and discipline-specific Spanish. Courses combine lectures, extensive field trips, and independent research that will teach you how to ask and answer a research question. You also have the opportunity to use video to document natural phenomena and behavior. At the end of the program, you present your research in a symposium open to the public.

Five courses are required for the program:

• Tropical Diversity (BIOL 101)
• Tropical Community Ecology (BIOL 102)
• Research Practicum (BIOL 188)
• Spanish (SPAN 2 or SPAN 100, depending on placement)
• Agro-Ecology (ENVS 2)

Use the following resources to learn about EAP courses:

• MyEAP Course Catalog to search for courses previously taken by UC students.
  Additional courses may be available at host institutions or program locations and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.

Units

Students in the quarter system enroll in five classes to reach the program requirement of 16 UC quarter units and pursue a full-time course of study.

Language of Instruction

English

Language Study

Spanish language study is required during the term and offered at various levels.

Internships, Research, and Independent Study

Independent research is an integral part of the Monteverde program. Students will develop a research proposal on a particular aspect of tropical ecology designed around direct field experience. After conducting the fieldwork, they analyze their results and produce a written report. Students also share their findings in an oral presentation during the biology symposium at the end of the term.

Past topics have included the effects of forest fragmentation on species richness, bioluminescence of beetles, and detection of anti-fungal agents by leafcutter ants. Past EAP participants report that this independent work has been instrumental in developing their research skills and strengthening their dedication to the field of biology.

Internships for academic credit are not possible on this program.

Duration

Go to the Participants section to see current or past calendars.

Fall quarter: early October to mid-December
Spring quarter: late March to early June

Housing

Your housing will change according to program activities. It combines homestays, residence at the dormitory-style Monteverde Biological Station, and stays at other rural field stations. You live with other UC students.

On-site Support

EAP students are supported by UC's network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. The Resident Director and local staff help students adapt to life in the field and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

See the EAP Program Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).

Host Institutions

• Monteverde Institute

Estimated Cost

Participation in EAP is a great value! The cost of EAP programs is typically less than that of non-UC study abroad programs. The dollar figures listed in the chart represent: 1) the amount of the fees that are paid directly to EAP in the current year, and 2) an estimate of the amount needed to cover personal living expenses in this location. Personal travel and entertainment are not included here.

Don't forget that you take your financial aid with you and the amount of your financial aid package will be based on the estimated TOTAL COST of this experience, as it is estimated below.

These expenses are estimated for 2009-10. Amounts will vary for 2010-11 participation due to proposed changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc. For a more detailed breakdown of 2009-10 payment information, visit the Participants Portal and select the appropriate program.

Here’s what is included in the estimate:

• Predeparture expenses for documents and supplies
• Round-trip transportation from California
• UC fees
• Automatic transfer of credits and grades to your UC transcript
• Accident and medical insurance
• On-site orientation upon arrival at the Hotel Cacts in San José
• Group travel to Monteverde
• Room and board for homestays, dorms, and field-trip accommodations
• Instructional trips to Peñas Blancas, Corcovado, or Cuajiniquil
• Entrance fees to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and field stations  
• Books and other expenses for special research equipment
• Use of the library and labs
• Farewell dinner and return travel to San José

Estimated EAP Costs*

Option	Cost
* Based on most recent costs for 2009-2010 to the nearest $100.
Fall Quarter	$10,200
Spring Quarter	$10,200

Application Requirements

Class Level

Junior, senior, graduate

Language Prerequisite

None

GPA

2.85 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure.

Other

Completion of one year of biology, including one quarter of upper-division organismal biology by the time of departure (sometimes possible through an environmental studies course; check with your Campus EAP Office). A course in statistics is strongly recommended. The program is physically demanding and you must be willing to take on that challenge.

Minimum Criteria

All applicants must also have:

• Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into the student’s UC degree program
• Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
• A willingness to abide by program regulations
• An endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)

These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines final selection and admission.

Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office. Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

For participation in the program, you must meet all deadlines and submit complete application materials.

Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UC Los Angeles
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz