Energy Issues and Experience in Costa Rica

Summer 2008: July 7 - August 15 (tentative dates)

Program Location

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.
Costa Rica, despite being such a tiny nation, draws well over a million visitors every year - and you can see why. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise a cloud forest one day, climb a volcano the next, and finish passed out on a hot sandy beach.
Text borrowed form lonelyplanet.com

Academic Program

The CISAT Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica provides many educational benefits to ISAT students, including understanding the fundamentals of energy, its uses and resources, exposure to international energy technologies, experience and understanding associated with living and working in an international setting; and applied, interdisciplinary course experience that integrates the technical, social, and economic dimensions of international setting.
JMU students, along with students from the University of Costa Rica, will learn about energy issues.  Classes will be taught by faculty from JMU and the University of Costa Rica. You will be immersed in the Costa Rican culture, history, geography, language and political affairs. Students will be hosted by the families of their Costa Rican peers in the class.  Course includes field trips to renewable energy projects and installations.

Instructional methods include lectures, guided tours and tests/exams.

Tentative course offerings:
ISAT 212 Energy Issues in Science and Technology
GEOG 450 Contemporary Costa Rica

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotels and host families 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 submit an essay and a faculty recommendation. A personal interview will also be required. Applicants must have taken ISAT 152 prior to departure.

For More Information

For additional information about the Energy Issues and Experience in Costa Rica program, please contact the program director:

Dr. Karim Altaii
Professor
ISAT
Tel: 540-568-2966
E-mail: altaiikx@jmu.edu
Website: www.isat.jmu.edu/costarica/program.html