Energy Issues and Experience in Costa Rica

Summer 2012: July 27 to August 19 (tentative dates)

Program Location

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. Despite being such a tiny nation, Costa Rica draws over a million visitors every year. The topography of the country allows individuals to see impressive rain forests, wonderful hot sandy beaches, cities, and volcanoes. The animal life is staggering as you can run into howler monkeys toucans and other adventurous animals during your stay.

Academic Program

This Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica provides many educational benefits to ISAT and Engineering students.

Students earn 3 credits on a project-based field study. Students will work on various projects at resorts in Costa Rica. You will be working with a team that consist of students from JMU and from the University of Costa Rica.Each student will pick a project before arriving in Costa Rica and work to complete it during the three week class. Students will work with advisors and project mentors that include JMU professors, University of Costa Rica professors, and owner/managers of resorts in Costa Rica.

Students can apply their 3 project course credits toward their concentration.

Possible projects:

• Energy savings: this can start with energy audit of the facilities (and possibly community houses around the resorts) and recommend possible actions.  This can include educating  and informing the community about the process (what we are doing, why,  how, and what to expect)
• Solar and wind, rainfall and other metrological data measurement.
• Identifying optimum site locations for solar thermal and PV panels
• PV power plant for charging golf carts
• PV power plant for emergency backup (internet, communication and vital lighting)
• PV power plant for street lighting
• Solar thermal collectors for hot water
• Grey water usage treatment and irrigation

Intructional Methods: Project-based course examining international energy problems and providing team-oriented project experiences. Addresses energy issues associated with economic and social development. Project participation, tours and meetings with local experts illustrate energy-related problems.

Students will work on various projects at resorts in Costa Rica. Each student will pick a project before arriving in Costa Rica and work to complete it during the three week class. Students will work with advisors and project mentors that include JMU professors, University of Costa Rica professors, and owners/managers of resorts in Costa Rica.

Student assessments: Course grade will be based on: professional management of project and effective communication with all parties, timely achievement of project milestones and deliverables, quality of deliverables, oral presentations and written final report.

Tentative Itinerary/ Schedule:
July 27 (Thursday): Arrive in Costa Rica, check in followed by group dinner
July 28: Project orientation meetings, Punta Leona Hotel and Club Ttour
July 29: (Sunday): Tours, free time, “getting to know Punta Leona
Weeks of July 30, August 6, and August 13
Monday through Friday: Project work at resorts in Costa Rica
Saturday and Sunday: Group tours including Manuel Antonio, Arenal, waterfalls and possibly power plants
August 17 (Friday): Final project presentations at Punta Leona headquarters in San Jose.
August 18: free day
August 19 (Sunday): Depart

Tentative course offerings:

• ISAT 416—International Energy Studies (3)

For  U.S. citizens, visa can be obtained at the airport in San Jose upon arrival.

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotel and in a resort in San Jose, Costa Rica. Group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, interested students should have sophomore standing and a 2.5 minimum GPA. Students should submit an essay describing their academic goals. A personal interview will also be required. Applicants must have completed ISAT 212 and ISAT 253 prior to departure.

For More Information

For additional information about the Costa Rica program, please contact the program directors:

Karim Altaii
Professor
ISAT
Tel: 540-568-2966
E-mail: altaiikx@jmu.edu