Summary

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.

Duration

Go to Current Participants to see current or past calendars.

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

With two years of Spanish, fall students may continue their biology studies at the University of Costa Rica during the spring term by submitting a separate EAP application.

Academic Focus

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 all students:

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

UC Berkeley and UC Merced students only:

• Integrative Biology (BIOL 189)

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.

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 a core component of this program. Internships are not possible through this program.

Units

You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad. If you are in the quarter system you enroll in five classes to reach the unit requirement of 16 UC quarter units.

UC Berkeley and UC Merced students undertake an additional directed reading program prior to departure for an extra 3 UC quarter units, to earn 12 semester units of UC credit.

Housing

Housing changes 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. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of their host country and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

See the EAP Student's 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

Monteverde Institute

The Monteverde Institute (MVI) is a nonprofit Costa Rican organization dedicated to education, applied research, sustainable development, and community service. EAP has partnered with MVI for 20 years to provide a range of services to students on this amazing program. MVI assists with all of the logistical challenges involved in the numerous field trips and unusual scheduling that the program requires. At the same time, it offers computer and lab facilities for EAP use during the periods that students spend in Monteverde and coordinates many other activities. Though UC manages the academic curriculum of the program, MVI’s Program Director collaborates with its instructors and staff throughout the program.

Visit the Monteverde Institute website

Estimated Cost

The cost of study on EAP can be close to the cost of studying on campus and is typically far less than the cost of non-UC study abroad programs. You can also take your UC financial aid abroad! If you do not currently receive UC financial aid, you may qualify for aid while on EAP. Each year, EAP students receive $1.3 million in study abroad grants and scholarships.

The estimated total cost for options in this program are listed below. Future costs will vary due to currency fluctuation, etc. All estimated totals include:

• UC fees
• program-specific fees
• room and board
• mandatory insurance
• incidentals
• transportation
• books
• on-site orientation
• predeparture expenses
• intensive language program expenses where applicable

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

• Class level: junior, senior, graduate
• 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.

In addition to program-specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• 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
• Willingness to abide by program regulations
• 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.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office.

In addition to your campus deadlines, there are deadlines by which the Campus EAP Office must submit the completed applications and accompanying materials to the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP). For participation in the Program, it is critical that both campus deadlines and UOEAP deadlines are met. If the application is incomplete and not accompanied by the required materials noted, it will be returned to the Campus EAP Office.

Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but are not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

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